Chapter 275
Demands for the Dead
Sophia’s face was dark as stone, her eyes sharp enough to pierce hearts.
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“Grace, if you dare slander Scarlett again, I’ll make sure you never speak another word in your life.”
Her aura was crushing. Everyone in Jandale knew her reputation–Sophia was not to be trifled with. Even in Grace’s most arrogant years, she had kept her distance.
Now, slapped across the face, Grace didn’t even dare retaliate. She froze in shock.
Connor, however, scrambled to his feet and stepped in front of Sophia.
“For Scarlett’s sake, I always respected you,” he snarled. “You used to scorn Mrs. Martha, and I thought–maybe you were a good mother. I was glad for Scarlett. But it was all an act, wasn’t it? A trick to fool us all. I’m such a fool, deceived by you! I killed Scarlett myself by believing in you. You deserve to die for it!”
Sophia didn’t hesitate–her hand cracked across his face. Then another slap followed, harder than the first.
The force left Connor’s cheeks burning red, two palm prints swelling instantly. He froze, stunned, before anger twisted his features.
“You hit me? So it’s true then! You strike me only to silence me, because I guessed your dirty secret!”
Another series of slaps rang out. Sophia’s palm tingled with the sting of the blows.
“These are for Scarlett,” she said icily. “You dared to harass her, then hurt her. The only reason you’re still alive is because my daughter was merciful. You’ve been given chances to repent, yet you come here to accuse us? Without Scarlett, you’d be nothing! She spared you, and this is how you repay her? Good. Very good.”
Her jaw clenched tight.
“Then today, I’ll show you what it means to face the Lane family’s hand.”
But Connor stepped forward, eyes blazing.
“Fine! Beat me down. Ruin me. Throw me into the streets. No matter where I end up, I’ll live only to see the Lane family disgraced, to win justice for Scarlett!”
Then, unexpectedly, he turned toward Aurora.
Chapter 275 Demands for the Dead
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“Ms. Aurora, what you said to me at the birthday banquet–I didn’t believe you then. Now I owe you an apology.”
Aurora’s heart jolted.
What? Why bring her into this now?
Back then, she had only probed Connor, trying to gauge how far things had gone between him and Scarlett. She had never meant to align herself with him. In her eyes, Connor wasn’t even worthy.
But his vague words now cast suspicion on her, planting doubt in the main branch’s minds. They wouldn’t move against her immediately, but what if the old madam was gone one day? Would the main branch settle accounts then?
“You’re mistaken,” Aurora said quickly. “I only told you about the Lane family at the banquet. Nothing more.”
Connor’s voice softened, almost tender.
“I understand. You don’t want trouble with them. That’s fine. I’ve already called the police and informed the media. They’ll pay for what they’ve done. As for me… I probably won’t end well. When I’m gone, Ms. Aurora, I hope you’ll visit my grave, so I won’t be alone.”
What nonsense!
Sophia laughed coldly.
“So this was your plan? The three of you teaming up, hoping to turn the Lane estate into a circus?”
She turned to Owen.
“If we don’t settle this cleanly today, every stray dog in the city will be howling at our gates.”
The insult nearly drove Grace to lash out, but Connor caught her arm.
He planted himself firmly in front of the Lane family, his gaze burning.
“Unless you give me an answer today, I’ll die right here. With Scarlett gone, death is nothing but release.”
Owen’s expression was carved from ice, a killing aura radiating off him. But when he spoke, his voice was steady, measured, betraying no emotion.
“What answer do. you
want?”
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Chapter 275 Demands for the Dead
Connor didn’t hesitate.
“Scarlett is gone. As her fiancé, I demand all of her belongings.”
The request sounded reasonable enough.
He pressed further.
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“You already killed her. Don’t tell me you mean to hoard her useless things, too. Give them to me. In return, I’ll tell the police it may have been a misunderstanding–for now. Later, once I uncover the truth, then I’ll settle with you.”