Now Sophia had a clear understanding. Bruno’s suggestion was that the car accident involving their grandmother was somehow related to her.
“Bruno, I must say I admire your imaginative storytelling. Accusing me of something like this, doesn’t your conscience hurt?” Sophia retorted, her frustration apparent.
However, Bruno acted as if it was a matter of course. “Accusing you? Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve simply made a reasonable deduction about your motives.”
Fanny immediately chimed in, “I think Bruno makes a lot of sense, and his reasoning is quite logical. Without a motive, why would Grandma have had an accident for no reason?”
Fanny stood up and scanned the Henley family members before asking, “All our dear relatives here, do you think Bruno has a point?”
“I support Bruno’s view. Given the severe problems in Sophia’s company, there’s definitely a motive,” one relative offered.
“Sophia, you can deny it, but you need to provide evidence to prove your innocence,” another family member chimed in.
“Grandma, it’s terrible that your own granddaughter is going after you, she’s truly wicked. Such a person should not be allowed to remain in the family.”
Bruno was quite satisfied with the reactions of the crowd. It felt empowering to dominate the discourse in this manner.
After the clamor from the crowd had subsided a bit, Bruno rose from his seat and, with an arrogant stance, locked eyes with Sophia, loudly declaring, “Sophia, you can’t hide the truth forever. It’s all out in the open now, so why don’t you confess?”
In Bruno’s perspective, if you could set the rhythm right, you could paint black as white and turn white into black.
“Grandma, I never expected Sophia to be this malicious. She even dared to harm you. If anything happens to you, what will become of our Henley family?” Fanny’s face contorted into a tearful expression, fueling the emotions of the room to their peak.
Finally, the old Mrs. Henley, who had been silent until now, spoke. She fixed her icy gaze on Sophia and asked, “Sophia, do you have anything more to say?”
“Those who are upright need not fear slanting shadows. I don’t feel the need to explain things I haven’t done,” Sophia said, displaying a fearless expression.
Bruno grinned with satisfaction and stared intently at Sophia. “Sophia, I believe you’re not avoiding an explanation due to laziness but because you’re afraid. In simple terms, you feel guilty.”
“Grandma, with Sophia’s attitude, it’s clear she’s already admitted,” Fanny added, not wanting to be outdone by Bruno.
The Henley family members also voiced their agreement, and the tide of collective opinion seemed poised to drown Sophia.
At this moment, a raucous and unruly laughter erupted in the meeting room, a laughter that seemed to contain an intimidating power, sending shivers down everyone’s spines.
All eyes turned to the source of the laughter.
The one laughing so brazenly was none other than Leo, who had been quietly sitting in the corner.
Just as someone gathered the courage to rebuke Leo, he abruptly silenced his laughter and then stood up, walking over to Sophia. He fixed Bruno and Fanny with a cold, razor-sharp gaze.
Bruno and Fanny were somewhat unnerved by Leo’s stare and found themselves temporarily speechless.
The other Henley family members, after a brief shock, began to hurl insults.
“You good-for-nothing! Why were you laughing so erratically? Have you lost your mind?”
“I think this deadbeat is seeking attention deliberately and causing trouble on purpose!”
“You worthless dog, don’t you know we’re in the middle of a family meeting? Why are you barking like that? This isn’t a place for you; go away, as far as you can!”
Ignoring the curses and insults, Leo withdrew his gaze and approached Fanny. Without a word, he delivered a resounding slap to her face.
After a crisp slap echoed through the room, the entire meeting space suddenly fell into eerie silence, with a pin drop audible.
“Anyone who wronged Sophia, die!” Leo’s words were like they came from the depths of hell, piercing into everyone’s ears like icy needles.
Everyone stood still, utterly shocked. They never expected Leo to actually strike Fanny.
Fanny was dazed by Leo’s sudden slap and took a while to regain her composure. Clutching her cheek, she incredulously yelled at Leo, “You good-for-nothing, you dare to hit me?”
“I hit precisely you!” Leo replied fearlessly.
Bruno instinctively took a step back, and then, summoning some courage, he shouted, “Leo, are you out of your mind? You dare to hit Fanny, your sister, in front of the entire Henley family!”
Like a dog counting on its master’s backing. that’s exactly how Bruno felt at this moment. If it were just him and Leo alone, he wouldn’t dare to be so belligerent.
Leo turned his head, fixing Bruno and Fanny with his cold, piercing gaze. “Bruno, you shameless bastard, you know very well who had a hand in Grandma’s accident.”
“Right now, you’re trying to manipulate family members to go against Sophia, hoping to divert attention from your crime. It’s utterly shameless!” Leo’s words cut through Bruno’s façade, like a sharp knife revealing the truth beneath.
Bruno began to feel uneasy and panicky, hastily rebutting, “You worthless dog, I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re slandering me just to shift everyone’s attention!”
“Slandering?” Leo sneered with disdain. “Trash like you isn’t even worth my slander. With Sophia’s cosmetic company facing difficulties, you, as her family, should either lend a helping hand or stay out of it. What you’re doing is utterly disgusting!”
“Leo, shut your mouth!” The old Mrs. Henley struck her cane against the floor, her expression darkening. “Stop putting on a show here. The issues facing Sophia’s cosmetic company are dire. Do you think yelling and screaming here is the solution?”
“I naturally have a way to solve it. You spectators, keep your eyes wide open!” Leo responded with a cold smile.
Bruno thought Leo was boasting and couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, “Someone’s got a show-off addiction again.”
“Bruno, shut up!” The old Mrs. Henley’s stern reprimand startled Bruno.
At this moment, Teresa’s face showed a mix of gloom and inexplicable emotions. The old Mrs. Henley had lived long enough to be astute. While she might intentionally or unintentionally show favoritism toward Bruno, when it came to significant family interests, she wouldn’t be fooled.
Within Henley Group, Sophia’s cosmetic company had the highest profitability, contributing the most to the family fund each year. If it were to be controlled by someone else, it would be akin to losing a substantial part of her wealth.
Regardless of Bruno’s schemes or his targeted actions against Sophia, the old Mrs. Henley couldn’t allow Sophia’s cosmetic company to fall under the control of others, let alone be acquired.