Liya made up her mind and lifted her head.
She had already handed the evidence that could prove that Jenna had been framed to Hansen. Therefore, she would never accept being driven away like that.
“No, Mom. Hansen and I are about to get married. He has already promised to marry me in a week’s time. You can’t drive me away like this. If you really want me to leave, you have to ask Hansen first.” Liya prostrated herself on the floor and cried. She refused to leave no matter what, to the point that she even brought up Hansen.
Seeing that Liya was making a scene and she even brought up Hansen, the rage in Marissa’s heart surged, and she was about to order the security guards to drive her out.
Then, the sound of footsteps could be heard.
“What happened? Why is everyone gathered around here?” Hansen’s voice rang along with the sound of footsteps.
“Hansen, Mom wants to drive me away.” After hearing Hansen’s voice, Liya’s eyes sparkled. She lifted her eyes that were brimming with tears and asked Hansen for help. “We’re about to get married. You promised to marry me. I can’t be driven away just like that.”
Hansen’s brows knitted together as his eyes were shrouded with a complicated light. He swept his gaze across the surroundings, and his gaze lingered on Jenna’s sallow face for a while, before shifting away.
“Mom, what happened?” he asked Marissa impatiently. At that time, he really didn’t want trouble to arise at home.
“Hansen, you can’t marry this woman. She’s evil. Yesterday, she pushed Jerry into the swimming pool. If it wasn’t for Sabrina, the consequences would have been unimaginable. She had already done such vicious acts even before she got married into the family. So, can you imagine what kind of harm she’ll bring to Richards Manor in the future if you really were to marry her? Hansen, please listen to me and drive her away. Richards Manor really doesn’t need such a woman.” Seeing Hansen’s impatience, Marissa explained what had happened the day before in detail, hoping that Hansen could rectify the issue and drive her away.
“Yes, Hansen. I saw it with my own eyes yesterday. This woman did indeed push your son into the pool. You should drive such a vicious person out as soon as possible.” Sabrina supported Marissa and persuaded Hansen along with her.
“Did such a thing really happen?” Hansen asked in a stern voice as his face darkened.
“No, Hansen. I really didn’t push him. I know Jerry’s your son, and he’ll be my son in the future too. So, how can I possibly harm him? Hansen, they’re all slandering me. You have to trust me.” Liya’s face was streaked with tears as she sobbed pitifully.
Hansen glanced at her in a condescending manner. No one could tell how he was feeling right then.
“Liya, do you know that no matter who you pushed yesterday, it is still an illegal act, let alone a child. What you did was truly vile. I cannot forgive you,” Hansen said flatly, but his tone was very dignified.
Upon hearing that, Liya cried even harder.
“Hansen, I’ve finally understood. Now that you’ve obtained what you wanted from me, you want to use this as an excuse to drive me away. Let me tell you. I’d rather die than leave this place.” Liya gritted her teeth and she made up her mind. She looked as if she wasn’t afraid of dying.
Hansen frowned and said in a deep voice, “Nonsense. When did I say that I was going to take this opportunity to drive you away?” After saying that, he took a deep breath and walked to Marissa’s side, saying loudly, “Mom, this matter is definitely Liya’s fault. I know it’s unforgivable, but please forgive her this time for my sake. After all, our wedding will be held next week. It’s not very appropriate to drive her away at this time.”
As soon as he said that, everyone in the living room was stunned.
Jenna’s whole body turned ice-cold.
A week later, Hansen really was going to marry Liya.
That was definitely not a dream, nor was it a rumor. It was something that Hansen had announced in front of everyone. So, it could not be fake.
The living room was so quiet that one could even hear a pin drop.
All of a sudden, Jenna felt disgusted. She was so disgusted that her whole stomach tensed up.
When Hansen, Jerry’s father, knew that his only son had been pushed into the water by that woman, not only did he absolve her of blame, but he even pleaded on her behalf and asked Marissa to let her off the hook. Moreover, he even announced their wedding right then.
Was there anything more chilling than that in the world?
Jenna’s heart ached so much that she closed her eyes. There was something burning in her eyes that was causing her immense pain.
“Although I won’t drive you away, you did indeed make a mistake. This time, I’ll let you go, but you still need to pay the price for making a mistake. How about this? Maud, how should we deal with Liya according to the family rules if she made such a mistake?” Hansen turned his head to Maud who was next to him.
After coming back to his senses, Maud pondered if Hansen really wanted to punish her or if he was trying to protect her. Before he could figure out Hansen’s intention, he carefully replied.
“Mr. Richards, according to the family rules, Liya will have to be disciplined domestically.” Maud looked at Hansen’s face, cleared his throat, and continued. “You can choose to deduct her wages or punish her by kneeling down in the punishment room for an entire day.”
If an ordinary servant committed such a crime, he or she would have been directly driven away. However, if it was one of the masters that couldn’t be driven away, they needed to be punished or disciplined domestically.
Anyone could see the difference between the two, as one was specifically designed for people who were special. As for how Liya was going to be punished, Maud could only listen to Hansen’s orders and act accordingly.
Everyone at the scene fell silent, as they all wanted to see how Hansen would deal with that matter.
Hansen looked at Liya, who was kneeling on the ground and sobbing. If she was to be disciplined domestically, her body would definitely not be able to withstand it. Moreover, their wedding preparations were about to begin. That would not do. It seemed that he could only choose the latter.
He immediately ordered Maud. “Since Liya has made a mistake, she should be punished. Maud, take her to the punishment room and make her kneel while facing the wall. Teach her about the family rules too. There won’t be a next time.”
Since Hansen had spoken in such a manner, it meant that he had the intention to protect Liya. Therefore, Maud could only agree immediately.
He immediately brought Liya, who was still sobbing, away to carry out the punishment.
Hearing that Hansen had announced their marriage in public, Liya was overjoyed. Her punishment was very light as well. Hansen really was a man of his word, as he fulfilled his promise and even did his best to protect her. There was nothing that made her happier than that. She got up from the floor almost immediately and obediently followed Maud. Before she left, she looked at Jenna’s pale face at the corner of her eyes, which made her feel extremely smug.
Jenna was much older than her, and she was not as young and talented as her. Liya thought that she would have the opportunity to turn the tables in the future.
Looking at her, Liya estimated that Jenna would soon turn into a faded old woman. In that case, Hansen’s interest in her would surely diminish day by day. By then, her chance would come.
Liya had always been confident in dealing with men.
The moonlight fell onto the golden roof of Richards Manor. The mottled shadows of the trees waved around along the wind, adding a touch of nobility and mystery to the large residence.
A crescent moon could be seen through the window.
Meanwhile, in Trevor’s study.
The aroma of tea had spread throughout the room, and it was very fragrant.
Next to the coffee table, Trevor and Hansen were talking while enjoying the tea.
Trevor’s taste for fine tea was absolutely unique and outstanding. Hansen’s love for tea originated from Trevor’s cultivation.
From childhood, the father and son duo would first enjoy tea with each other at the coffee table before they needed to make a big decision. After drinking a cup of fine tea, and smelling the refreshing aroma of the tea, they could think more clearly, and naturally, come up with a solution for the problem they wanted to solve in no time.
After the water was boiled, Trevor picked up the purple clay teapot and put some Earl Grey tea leaves into it. Trevor was very fond of any fine tea, but Hansen particularly liked Earl Grey.
Thus, the father’s and son’s conversation topic would usually revolve around Earl Grey, which was mainly for the sake of Hansen’s love for it.
As the water became dark from the Earl Grey tea, it started to emit a faint aroma of tea too. The dark brown tea was boiling hot. If one inhaled gently near the cup, the hot aroma would slowly enter one’s nostrils. Then, if one closed one’s eyes, one would be able to enjoy the aroma of tea entering their lungs. After one opened one’s eyes and gently took a small sip, the aroma would have already reached one’s lungs and made one’s mind extraordinarily clear and relaxed.
After drinking a cup of tea.
“Hansen, the wedding will be held next Saturday.” After Trevor drank a cup of tea, his face was flushed, and he talked in good spirits.
“That’s right, Dad.” Hansen’s expression darkened as he nodded in acknowledgment.
“Are you ready?” He put down his teacup, looked at Hansen, and asked in a deep voice, “You have to spread this information to the public in these few days. This time, you must take this opportunity to get rid of the evils which are pestering Richards Manor. I won’t allow any failure.”
“Dad, I’ve already made a thorough plan.” Hansen nodded. He couldn’t relax, no matter how hard he tried.
“Are you confident that Zoella will show up and expose Liya’s crime?” Trevor’s eyes narrowed, and his pupils emitted a dark glint.
Hansen took another sip of tea and said thoughtfully, “Through this period of time of observation and analysis, I believe that she’ll definitely not let Liya marry me smoothly. Also, I have also shown a lot of love for Liya, to the point that Zoella believes that I had already fallen for Liya, and she will definitely do something about it, according to her usual behaviour. Hence, on the day of the wedding, she’ll definitely come forward and expose the matter of Liya stealing Jenna’s fingerprints. Just like that, Liya will also point out the matter of Zoella framing the Richards Group. After that, they will fight with each other and expose more evidence. With that, I believe that the Richards Group can be proved innocent very soon. After that, we can leave everything to the police.”
Trevor listened carefully and nodded.
For that day, Hansen had made many preparations to let Zoella believe that he had fallen in love with Liya. His plan had always been to let Zoella and Liya fight with each other, as he believed that Zoella wouldn’t just let him marry Liya.
“Yes, Reid is a very scheming person. So, we can only save Claude through this risky move. But, do you think that Reid will bring Claude to the wedding?” Trevor’s brows furrowed. “Hansen, we must make necessary preparations for this.”
“He’ll definitely participate.” Hansen was very confident. Reid cared about Liya a lot. So, Hansen wasn’t scared that he wouldn’t show up. “I have already discussed the conditions with him. I will hold the wedding first, and once Claude returns safely, I will register for marriage with Liya in England. He will have no choice but to come and see the wedding for himself.”
Trevor held the cup with both hands and drank the tea, but he did not say anything.
“Dad, we can’t afford to fail this time. I’ll definitely not marry Liya, and I’ll only be using this wedding to get rid of these problems.” Hansen’s tone was firm, as he tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand.
“Hansen, follow me.” Trevor stood up and walked outside.
Hansen did not know what Trevor was trying to do. He was taken aback for a moment before he followed him out.