Mia covered her face, emitting only a faint sob. The pain was unbearable, and she wanted to plead, but feared exposure. In the end, all she could do was grit her teeth.
Onlookers watched coldly, especially Scarlett. Despite her outward composure, excitement gleamed in her eyes. Unfortunately, her Mia wasn’t there to witness this satisfying scene.
Time passed, the torment finally ceased.
James sighed deeply, still somewhat unsatisfied.
Scarlett approached, grabbing James, “James, maybe Evelyn didn’t do it on purpose. Did you go too far with the beating?”
The members of the Taylor family’s branch immediately shook their heads in disagreement upon hearing her words.
“What was she doing in this room if it wasn’t intentional?”
“Did the ashes box break on its own?”
“We’ve known for a long time that Evelyn is the least promising one in the Taylor family. Running off with an old man was bad enough, and now she dares to do such disgusting things in front of Mr. Taylor.”
“This kind of person is not worthy of being part of the Taylor family. Mr. Taylor, you can’t go easy on her.”
The last speaker was relatively close to Zebulon, and everyone thought Zebulon would listen to this person’s advice.
Scarlett and James couldn’t help but show expectation in their eyes.
Zebulon’s face was twisted in torment, and it took a while before he sighed. Just as he was about to make a decision, a clear voice suddenly echoed from behind the crowd.
“What are you all doing? Aren’t we supposed to have a feast?”
This voice…
Scarlett peered through the crowd, and when she saw Evelyn, she exclaimed in surprise, “How could you be here?”
“Huh?” Evelyn blinked, “I accidentally fell asleep just now. I was worried I might oversleep and delay the feast, so I went outside for some fresh air.”
She half-jokingly added, “Aunt, why are you so surprised? Can’t I be somewhere other than this room?”
Scarlett’s complexion gradually lost its color. She stiffly turned her head and carefully examined the woman in the room. Previously, in her excitement, she hadn’t thought much. Now, through the faint light, she vaguely saw a flash of white in the room. Mia was wearing a white dress today…
Gosh… Scarlett quickly covered her forehead, enduring a sudden dizziness.
“Who are you? How dare you impersonate and harm Evelyn?” She took two steps forward, shouting, “Take her downstairs for a proper interrogation.”
“Impersonate me?” Evelyn approached with curiosity, “Butler, go see who it is. I want to see who has the audacity to impersonate me.”
The butler glanced at Zebulon, and upon receiving his nod, boldly reentered the room. He was about to move Mia’s hair to identify her when Scarlett stopped him.
“Butler, keep family matters private. Let’s handle this behind closed doors! Since this person can’t escape, let’s lock her in the basement first, and after we finish this meal…”
After finishing this meal, they had already switched out the person.
Evelyn sneered, pointing at Mia in confusion, “If I’m not mistaken, the ring on her hand belongs to Mia.”
“Not only did she impersonate me, but she also committed theft. This thief should be sent to the police station immediately. If she manages to escape and we find other missing items later, it won’t be worth it.”
Scarlett gritted her teeth, “Evelyn, the basement in this house is very secure, she can’t escape.”
“The police station’s cells are even more secure. Why not send her there first?”
Scarlett was rendered speechless by Evelyn’s retort.
Zebulon’s condition had also eased at this point, and he shrewdly noticed Scarlett’s unusual state. He immediately pointed at the butler, urging, “Investigate.”
The butler acted, and Mia began to tremble.
Evelyn cooperatively cast a beam of light. The dim room was illuminated, leaving Mia with no place to hide.
Other people couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
“Mia? This, how is this possible? She has always been the most well-behaved, and she would never do something like this.”
“Maybe she’s just a good actress.”
“Just now, Mrs. Taylor strongly insisted on taking her downstairs. Could it be…”
Upon hearing this, everyone’s gaze turned to Scarlett. Scarlett felt guilty and was about to explain when Mia suddenly stood up, looking heartbroken.
“Evelyn, I kindly helped you upstairs. Why would you frame me?” She continued tearfully, “Evelyn was asleep just now. I saw she was too exhausted, so I thought of helping her upstairs to rest. Who knew, right after turning the corner, she knocked me out. When I woke up, I was in this room.”
“Grandpa, you have to believe me.” Realizing there were loopholes in her previous explanation, Mia added in a soft voice, “I was just too scared just now, I forgot to react, and it led to misunderstandings.”
The implication was clear – she never claimed to be Evelyn, and all of this was their speculation.
Zebulon’s mouth twitched, disappointment evident in his eyes as he looked at Mia.
Scarlett knew Zebulon wouldn’t easily believe Mia’s story, so she had her assistant fetch the surveillance footage from the living room downstairs.
“When Evelyn was sleeping, I was also there. Mia did try to help Evelyn rest. Dad, the surveillance captured everything clearly. Take a look.”
The camera was positioned perfectly to capture the direction of the stairs, showing Mia helping the closed-eyed Evelyn upstairs. Although the footage also showed Evelyn coming downstairs twenty minutes later, those twenty minutes were enough for various activities.
Seeing this, everyone’s suspicions turned to disgust as they looked at Evelyn.
Scarlett took a step forward, sighing in disappointment, “Evelyn, though I don’t know what misunderstandings occurred between you and Mia, this time… If we hadn’t discovered it, Mia would have borne a huge reputation damage for you.”
“Look at the ashes on the ground. That’s your Grandma. Even after her death, you treat her like this. Where is your conscience? ”
Evelyn found it amusing. Only she knew how much the old lady detested her. Once, when she was only five years old, she was punished by the old lady for liking a small toy belonging to a pet dog. She had to stand for eight hours and went hungry for two days.
Recalling that scene, Evelyn’s eyes were filled with coldness.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. That surveillance footage only proves that Mia and I went upstairs, not what I did. Why does Aunt only suspect me and not Mia? Is it just because I’m not your biological daughter?” Evelyn’s eyes showed a mixture of endurance and strength, her back trembling slightly.
Scarlett looked embarrassed and hesitated for a moment before finding her voice, “Mia has always been timid since she was a child, she wouldn’t…”
“No need to say more.” Evelyn waved her hand, “Instead of arguing here, why not retrieve the surveillance footage from upstairs? The truth will naturally come to light.”
Upon hearing this, Scarlett glanced triumphantly at Mia. With a hint of regret, she said, “Evelyn, upstairs is your Grandpa’s private area, and there are no surveillance cameras.”
Mia also stood up and said, “Mom, there’s no need to look for it. If accepting this can make Evelyn feel better, then let’s consider it as something I did. Grandpa, you don’t need to investigate further, I am willing to accept any punishment.”
She spoke with sincerity, but there was not a trace of movement in Zebulon’s heart.
Onlookers were murmuring quietly.
“Mia truly deserves to be Mr. Taylor’s granddaughter, not only generous but also responsible. Some people can’t compare.”
“Coming from the same family, the other one’s style is just disgusting.”
“Mr. Taylor is fortunate to have such a granddaughter.”
Despite the compliments, Zebulon’s expression remained unchanged.
He looked at Mia, seemingly determined. Then, he turned to glance at the butler.
The butler quickly understood, “I’ll get it.”
As he walked toward the vacant room on the other side, he stopped next to Scarlett and Mia, and spoke in a low voice, “Upstairs is indeed Mr. Taylor’s private space, so after installing surveillance, only Mr. Taylor can access it.”
“Madam, rest assured, with Miss Mia being so understanding, Mr. Taylor will never let her suffer unjustly.”
After saying that, he entered the room.
Scarlett and Mia were instantly dumbfounded.
“Mom…” Mia leaned in, looking anxious, “What do we do? Once that surveillance footage is retrieved, we’re finished. Grandpa won’t give me anything, not even the basic assets, let alone the five hundred million.”
Scarlett was even more anxious than Mia. “Don’t worry, your father is here. He won’t let you and me…”
Her words were cut short as the butler walked out with an unpleasant expression, “Mr. Taylor, the surveillance footage from when the two young ladies went upstairs is missing for some unknown reason.”
“Really?” Scarlett blurted out, her joyful voice sounding out of place in the corridor. When everyone turned to look at her, she quickly lowered her head.
Just when Scarlett and Mia felt relieved, Evelyn spoke in a low voice, “Butler, the video from before might still be there.”