Chapter 163
Winslet stood frozen, struggling to take in Jacob’s attitude toward herself. She stared at him in disbelief, her heart growing cold as her lips quivered.
“Jacob… What’s going on! I’m your sister! Are you really going to stand by and let Madeline torment me? H–Have you forgotten the bond we share?
she stammered.
Winslet collapsed into a mess of tears, desperately trying to stir some sympathy in Jacob, but he remained firm as he stared down at her
“You’ve been pretending all along. You never cared for me–Madeline did! When I was gravely ill, you were so scared of catching it that you avoided me!” He bellowed.
By the end, Jacob was nearly yelling. “How can you act so naturally, like lying is second nature to you? How do you do it without a shred of guilt?”
A flicker of fear crossed Winslet’s face as fat tears rolled down her cheeks. She pleaded, “Jacob, Madeline is trying to drive a wedge between us. Don’t be fooled!”
“I heard it all myself.” Jacob’s sneer was tinged with disappointment and despair, “It seems I’ve wasted my kindness on the wrong person. Haha… If I hadn’t overheard it today, I never would’ve realized what a fool I’ve been.”
Jacob’s tears brimmed, threatening to spill over. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, his vision blurring.
It felt like a needle was lodged in his throat. “You did this to yourself. I’m done caring about your life.”
Winslet could only watch as Jacob left, her screams echoing in his wake. As he stopped in the hallway, a part of him longed to look back, but he steeled himsel
ily was the one who had
The person he had guarded so closely turned out to be a venomous snake. Meanwhile, the one he had cast out of the family was truly protected him. Jacob tried to smile, but only a bitter taste remained.
Jacob walked into the Larson residence to find the family in disarray. Layla remained silent after hearing the recording while Thomas gripped his fists. Adding to the scene was the jobless Harley.
Layla’s voice was strained as she spoke. “Harley, Winslet only made a mistake. She’s young and easily misled. Even if she joins the Horton family. I’m sure she won’t sever our connections.”
She continued. “She only spoke out of self–defense, pressured by Madeline. Madeline is to blame for trying to destroy our family!”
Harley nearly erupted with hysterical laughter. “Mom, are you losing it? Did Winslet put something in your drink! I can’t fathom why you’re still defending her. You’re blaming Madeline for our family’s mess, but is it really her fault!”
Unease flickered in Layla’s eyes. She was fully aware of the truth but remained stubbornly inflexible. Confronting her own wrongs was something she simply could not do.
“Dad, the truth about Winslet has come out. We were all wrong. Harley declared.
Thomas sprang up and slapped Harley across the face, his voice a thunderous roar. “You fool! Haven’t you heard what your mother said! Winslet has been kidnapped and is in grave danger. The priority now is bringing her back!”
Harley was taken aback by his father’s sudden slap. Rubbing his stinging cheek, he sneered. “Dad, you never cared whether your daughter was Madeline or Winslet”
“You’ve always been more interested in who’s more valuable to you. Honestly, if you’d chosen to keep Madeline, we’d likely be back in the capital already Harley said sharply.
“Mr. Simmons, Nolan, Gavin, and now, it seems another major player of the underworld has emerged. I bet you’re swimming in regret at this point, aren’t you Dad? Harley’s voice dripped with mockery. With that, he turned on his heel and headed for the door.
Jacob stumbled back into the house, his mind still foggy. He saw Harley and called out, “Harley… Harley gave him a brief glance before silently walking away Jacob then made his way y into the living room.
Jacob, you’re back just in time: Layla said, her anxiety palpable. “Madeline has taken your sister. You need to track her down right away. She’s about to marry into the Horton Family. How will we explain if anything happens to her?”
Jacobi’s brow furrowed as his gre fell on the voice recorder sitting on the coffee table. He mused. So the truth is out there now, and my parents are still trying to save Winslet
“Mow you were thus frantic when
Madeline went missing,” Jacob tenurked
Chapter 163
Layla, clearly exasperated, retorted, “How can she be compared to Winnie? Madeline will manage on her own. Nothing will happen to her.
Jacob sneered and said. “No wonder.”
“No wonder what?” Layla was confused.
Jacob shook his head, his inner voice adding. No wonder Henry and Lucas chose to stay away from this place.
It dawned on him that he had once been shrouded in a fog, unable to discern the truth. He was also complicit in the wrongs d Reflecting on this, he thought, Tm not innocent. I, too, must face punishment.
done to Madeline.
Joel rushed in, his concern palpable. “Mom, Dad, I heard Winnie was kidnapped. Where is she? Do we have any leads?”
Layla’s sobs were muffled as she shielded her face. Thomas, after a frustrated slap to Harley, sat on the couch in silence.
“Gavin, don’t just stand around! We’ve got to act quickly to save her,” Joel insisted, pulling Jacob by the arm. “If something happens to Winslet, how can we ever call ourselves her brothers?”
Jacob, feeling bitterly amused, pulled away from Joel. “Why don’t you listen to the recording first? Then you can decide if we should go after Winslet.”
Joel scowled, irritated by Jacob’s response. “What’s with you!”
Layla’s shock quickly turned to action as she snatched up the recorder. She feared Jacob might try to grab it, so she held it tightly.
If he did make a move, she resolved to destroy the recorder, vowing that no one else would hear it.
In the middle of their clash, Layla’s anger erupted as she scolded. “Jacob, are you crazy? This is no time for this nonsenser
“Hand it over, demanded Jacob.
“No way,” Layla responded firmly.
Jacob cast a forlorn glance at his mother and declared, “If you insist on protecting Winslet, then I’m done with being your
your son.”
Jacob, don’t be foolish! What do you gain from doubting Winnie?” Layla’s voice wavered with panic. “Everything you’ve heard is just rumors. We’ve known her for 18 years. Surely, we know her better”
“Are you threatening me to force me into your own foolish errors?” Jacob sneered, his mind made up.
He observed Layla’s obstinate demeanor, and with a final sneer, he exited, resolutely choosing to part ways with his family.
“Jacob!” Thomas called out from the couch, trying to stop him. But in the end, he sank back into the couch, his spirit broken
I only wanted to restore the Larson family and return to the capital, but instead, we’re falling apart, he reflected. ‘Harley’s right. I’m filled with regret How could I not?!
Had he chosen his biological daughter Madeline, the prestige of Glorious Group alone would have been enough to elevate him. Now, he was drowning in regret
