"Selena, I have tolerated you enough! How dare you curse my baby like that?" Lena lashed out at Selena as her fists were clenched.
If it wasn't for Cade who was holding her in place, she would have jumped at the old woman and dealt a deadly blow at her.
"Hehe. Curse your child. When did I do that? Even if you don't want to acknowledge it, the truth is in front of us. It must be because of you that your child is suffering. Others might beat around the bush, but I will give it to you straight." Selena didn't seem bothered by Lena's reaction.
"You …. You will be the first to go while my baby remains. Just open those big eyes of yours and watch!" Lena said frustratingly before sitting on the chair as her chest heaved up and down.
Cade took Lena's hands in his and comforted her despite being in public. Lena simply looked aside, ignoring Cade who had not said a word to defend her against that old hag.
"Anyone else?" Cade calmly asked as he looked at the rest, who hadn't said a single thing.
With what Selena had just done, it wasn't known what more hateful things people would say about Zara.
Seeing an opportunity like that, Ashely decided to take it.
Since she was already on her father's bad side; she might as well just pour out her heart and get the grievance off her chest once and for all.
So, without hesitation, she raised her hand and without anyone saying anything, she immediately opened her mouth and began.
"Father, I understand that we children probably don't look the same to you, but we are all your children. Just like what the first madam just said, it is not a secret that the fifth sister is reaching her end. I know that it might sound cruel to the ears, but this is something that we have all known for nearly fifteen years."
"Even sister's tomb had already been built, and this is something that the both of you have done. Didn't we all know that the day would finally arrive one day? However, despite knowing all that, you still allowed the fifth sister to leave and go on a journey which we don't know where she is headed to with only a bunch of slaves."
"Even second sister spoiled her this time. Why would you even give her such expensive things with such high tech? It's not like you don't know what's going on with her?"
"It won't even take a while before our enemies, just like what the first madam said earlier to find that Zara is a Hansley and that she is our greatest weakness. When that happens, what do you think will happen?"
This time, Ashely took her time to let her points be heard, and she simply stole the first madam's words. Even if the third madam wanted to eat her up, her anger and hatred would all be directed towards the first madam and not her.
However, the first madam glared at her warningly, which made Ashely shrink her neck with fear.
Although Ashely's mother had never clashed with Selena since her mother had an affair with Cade when the second madam was in the family, she knew how scary the first madam was like. After all, Demel had never stopped talking about how tough life was for him and his mother at that time.
With Ashely going next, the doors were finally opened for others. So, just like that, Lena experienced one of the deadliest meetings of her life.
She had to sit there listening as nearly everyone chided her baby and yet was unable to refute it. Why? Because everything was the truth and it just hurt to think about it.
After sitting there numbly as each family member shared their thoughts, it was finally Cade's turn and everyone was looking forward to what this biased father would say regarding Zara's issue.
Even Lena was looking forward to it. After all, she and her baby would be doomed if Cade gave a crazy conclusion.
"Thank you for your honesty this time. I have heard all of your worries and thoughts. So, it's my turn to share mine as well." Without losing his cool, Cade addressed his family once more.
At that moment, Lena's grip on his hand was so tight, but he didn't show it and simply continued to address everyone.
"Before Zara departed, I knew beforehand of her choice to travel and, as much as I hated the fact that she wanted to go out, my hands were also tied."
"Zara is a grown up though in my eyes she would always remain that little princess of mine and one that had to live her life locked up inside the house. For fifteen years, your baby sister suffered much more than any of you did."
"It wasn't her choice that she got sick. We all will get sick at some point, so I hope that none of you who make fun of her illness will be unfortunate enough to contract such an illness!" saying that, his gaze was cold as he looked at Selena and Ashely who were very bold to keep on bringing Zara's illness repeatedly as if it was a joke.
Upon being glared at, Ashely shrank her neck in fear as the truth finally sank in. She was going to be eternally doomed.
If her father already had a grudge against her because of the tantrum she caused before Zara departed, this time, it was going to be worse.
"I spoiled her, and this is something that I will never deny. You all grew up healthy, so why can't you give a way to your little sister? If I were to lock you for a few days, would you survive? Can you be honest with me?" he asked mockingly as he looked at these children of his who only saw what they wanted while ignoring what was truly going on.