As Ruby saw her daughter Lily, she hurriedly ran forward and hugged her dearly. But Lily's father, James, still stood like a mountain with his head down.
While the patriarch and Das were staring at each other, all the family members were observing Das closely. Their eyes were busy searching for the mark of a criminal on Das body.
The green coloured demon tattoo appeared slightly from his arm and answered all their doubts. Many people have already believed that Lily actually eloped with a prisoner without waiting for what Lily would say.
Tears streaked from the cheeks of Ruby, and she tightly hugged her daughter. "Lily, everyone is saying that you eloped with some prisoner. But I never believed it. I know my daughter. Tell the truth to everyone and shut their dirty mouths." Ruby cried out in an aggrieved tone while hugging Lily.
But before Lily consoled her mother Ruby and spoke the facts, a young man who stood close to the patriarch seat began laughing loudly in a mocking tone. He is Eric, the young man who is going to be the next patriarch of the Frost family.
"Eric, what is the meaning of this? My daughter is already here. You will know the real truth soon." Ruby cried out angrily while turning away from Lily's arms.
"Hahaha…" Eric laughed more loudly after hearing her dialogue. "My dear Aunty, the real truth is already behind your daughter. Why don't you take a good look at him?" Eric said while staring at Das, who stood silently behind Lily.
Ruby hurriedly turned around and stared at Das from top to bottom. After seeing the demon tattoo on his arm, she stood there in shock, not a single word leaving her mouth.
While everyone was assuming their own story, Lily finally stepped forward to explain the facts to her family.
"Grand Father, you are all misunderstanding the situation. While running away from marriage hall, I snuck into his taxi. The Sharma family sent thugs to capture me. At that, he saved me from rowdies. But the Sharma family used this fact to spearhead false rumours. I brought him home to show you the truth. Please don't believe in rumours."
Lily explained everything in a hurried tone while staring at the old man who sat in head position.
The old man's gaze moved between Lily and Das. No one knows what he is thinking.
"Bullshit!" Suddenly, Eric raised his finger in exclamation.
"Eric, stop making a scene with false beliefs. I brought the person to show you the truth. Are you blind?" Lily asked angrily, as she felt irritated by Eric's hyperactivity.
"Sister, you are the one who is making all of us blind. The truth is before my eyes, like you said. Why is this taxi driver wearing such dazzling, expensive clothes? Everyone, look at his tattoo... he is a prisoner of the 'A' zone. Where is his uniform, and what is he doing outside after 7 p.m.?
Grandpa, I never expected my sister to be such a good storyteller. But I'm very disappointed that she wants to fool all of us. I can't even imagine how she spent a full day with criminal." Eric spoke like a righteous scholar with his hands in his pocket.
Lily hurriedly moved forward towards the old man. "Grand Father, I'm telling the truth. His shirt tore into pieces while he was fighting. That is why Das is wearing those clothes. Also, I asked him to come here and Promised him that, I would give an explanation in the control room of 'A' zone prison. Eric is speaking nonsense. Don't believe the rumours."
Tears flowed from Lily's eyes as she tried to convince the patriarch. But the old man maintained his stoic face.
All nine other families were staring at Lily without any pity. They all want to see the downfall of the Lily family, which is second in command.
Lily tried to approach the old man and held his hands. But the old man raised his wooden cane and stomped it hard on the floor. The hall became pin-drop silent, and everyone was eagerly waiting to see the old man's judgment.
"Why did you run away from the marriage ceremony?" The old man asked in a serious tone while staring at Lily.
Lily stopped crying as she understood the meaning behind the old man's question. She rubbed tears from her face and replied, "I don't want to marry a womanizer like Kevin Sharma. His reputation is well known all around the city. I don't want to be a toy in his hands." Lily replied loudly while holding her hands.
"Then why did you agree to this marriage in the first place? Don't you know the family rules?" The old man asked with an angry look.
"I got blackmailed by my mother. She said she would commit suicide if I didn't agree to this marriage. I thought of taking on the burden for our family's sake. But I couldn't bear it after seeing Kevin roaming before my own eyes with several women." Lily replied in an aggrieved tone with clenched fists.
The old man stopped questioning Lily and turned his gaze towards Lily's father, James.
"James, did you hear what your daughter said? Now, tell me what I should do now according to family rules." The old man asked James, who stood with his face down.
James sighed deeply and raised his head to answer the patriarch. "Father, everyone has their own reasons to make mistakes. But a mistake is a mistake. Because of my daughter, the Frost family lost face today. As her father, I'm ready to face the punishment according to family rules.
But, I want to respect my daughter's choice of husband. He might be a criminal or thief, please give my daughter a chance to make her life according to her choice. So, I request that the family take this matter into consideration."
Lily felt shocked by her father's words. Even Das didn't expect the statement given by Lily's father. He came here to solve the problem for Lily by wiping out the rumour. But everyone is turning the rumour into reality.
"Father, what are you taking about? I didn't choose anyone as my husband. It is all just a rumour spread by the Sharma family." Lily cried out anxiously while staring at her father.
But James didn't speak a word with Lily. Like everyone else, he stared at the patriarch for his judgment.
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/// A/N - Please comment your opinions and thoughts. I will ready every single comment and reply to your question at any part of novel. Thank you all for reading. ///