Chapter 244

Hunter Wilde's eyes turned sharp as he listened to Lucy White's words.

He had never liked the Goulds or the Vons, but now his disgust reached new heights.

"Disgusting," Hunter sneered, his voice just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

The moment those words left his mouth, the crowd's gazes toward Giselle Gould shifted.

"I always thought it was strange how a stepfather could dote on his stepdaughter like that."

"Right? He even abandoned his own flesh and blood."

"Tsk tsk, the Von family is really..."

Whispers spread like wildfire, each one cutting into Frederick Von like a knife.

Frederick's face darkened as countless memories flooded back—

Giselle's extended visits to her parents' home.

Old Man Gould's excessive favoritism toward Fiona.

That time he accidentally saw Giselle and her stepfather in the study...

Slap!

Frederick suddenly struck himself across the face, wishing he could vanish into thin air.

"Dad!" Fiona cried, grabbing his arm in panic. "Don't listen to her lies!"

"Get off!" Frederick shoved his daughter away, his glare fixed on Giselle. "We'll settle this at home."

Giselle paled under her husband's stare. "Frederick, let me explain—"

"Explain what?" Lucy interjected with a mocking smile. "How you seduced your stepfather? Or how you hired killers?"

"You—!" Giselle trembled with rage, then suddenly felt dizzy.

Unbeknownst to her, Lucy had slipped something into her drink earlier.

"You little bitch!" Giselle's eyes burned red as she pointed at Lucy. "I should've killed you along with your mother!"

Gasps erupted through the crowd.

"She admitted it!"

"How horrifying..."

Lucy's eyes gleamed with triumph as she fanned the flames. "Hear that? She just confessed to plotting my mother's murder—and now mine."

Turning to Old Man Gould, her voice cracked with emotion: "Grandfather, this is the stepdaughter you've spoiled for twenty years!"

The old man's face drained of color, his lips trembling wordlessly.

Beatrice Gould stomped her foot in frustration. "Giselle! Control yourself!"

But Giselle was beyond reason now. "Why did Grace have to come back? She should've stayed dead!"

"And you!" She jabbed a finger at Lucy. "You both deserve to die!"

Slap!

A resounding blow echoed through the room.

To everyone's shock, Old Man Gould broke free from Beatrice's grip and struck Giselle across the face.

"You viper!" The patriarch shook with fury. "After everything I've done for you!"

Then his eyes rolled back—he collapsed unconscious.

"Grandfather!"

"Dad!"

Chaos erupted.

Lucy watched the pandemonium with cold amusement, a smirk playing on her lips.

This was only the beginning.

As Beatrice struggled to support her unconscious husband, one thought consumed her:

This is serious trouble.