Chapter 278: I Cannot Let Him Off the Hook (Finished)
Riddled with anxiety, Deborah's father immediately demanded, "Where on earth have you been? Why couldn't we find you? Who are you with, and why weren't you answering your phone?" Deborah was silent for a moment, causing everyone to tense up.
"What's the issue? I had a sudden stroke of inspiration and went to work in the car. My phone was on silent. I do this all the time. Didn't they say they didn't need me there?" she replied, baffled.
Recalling that this behavior was typical of her, the Carneys sighed in relief. "Come home. Something has come up. By the way, have you seen Damien?"
"No. What's going on?"
The Carneys hesitated. "We'll talk when you get back."
After the call, they turned to Ruby and Oliver. "Hear that?"
Ruby and Oliver exchanged worried glances. "It's too fast. Something isn't right."
"Who knows?" Ruby insisted stubbornly.
Oliver remained silent, but his eyes expressed disbelief.
"Well, I'm curious to see how you'll continue to spin lies," the Carneys said. "We have to reconsider this engagement." They added, "Given the way they've insulted our daughter, we truly have to think twice."
Instead of Deborah, Damien returned. His arrival immediately drew everyone's attention. They were shocked to see he'd changed clothes.
Lydia, trusting him, asked bluntly, "Didn't I ask you to attend to something? What's going on? You've been gone for quite some time and were uncontactable."
He wore an innocent expression and raised his recently bandaged, blood-stained hand. "Sorry, Aunt Lydia. I went to attend to the matter, but I accidentally fell. My clothes got soaked, and I hurt my hand. I had to tend to my injury. My phone… it got waterlogged and isn't working," he explained, holding up his dripping phone.
Lydia sighed in relief.
Oliver, however, leaped forward. "What a coincidence! Both of you were out, and your phones malfunctioned? Do you and Deborah think we're three years old?"
Chapter 278: I Cannot Let Him Off the Hook (Finished)
"Enough with the act! Did you sleep with my fiancée? How could you do this to me? I can't believe you slept with my fiancée at our engagement party! You're nothing but a bastard!"
Damien retorted, "What on earth are you babbling about? Can anyone tell me what's going on?"
Lydia eyed Oliver coldly. I can't believe that, even now, he still doesn't know how to restrain himself. Is he determined to disregard the Winters family's reputation? Someone recounted the events.
Damien burst out laughing. "So, based on this groundless speculation, you're accusing us? You should try checking everyone's phones. If someone left early or didn't answer calls, are you going to spread rumors about them having an affair too?"
"I saw it with my own eyes!" Ruby insisted, cutting him off.
I thought my heart wouldn't ache anymore, yet it still feels as though it's being pierced by a needle, Damien thought. Does she actually despise me so much? That twisted, ugly expression of hers is eerily similar to Mother's. Mother is the mastermind behind this whole affair. I'm tired of all this. I'm really exhausted.
"So, just because I told on you to Mother and stopped you from entering the entertainment industry, you decided to treat me so horribly? We're siblings! There should be a limit to your pranks!" Damien's voice was filled with disappointment and despair.
This caused some to believe him. Ruby seemed self-centered, and their sibling relationship was strained.
"You!" Ruby stammered. "What I said is true! Something is going on between you two! You're coveting your cousin-in-law!" Damien's expression darkened.
Oliver noticed Damien's reaction. Something definitely happened. And if it did, we can figure something out!
"Hmph! I won't believe a word you say. We'll settle this once Deborah returns," Oliver said. I don't believe they'll get out of this unscathed.
A flicker of panic crossed Damien's eyes, confirming Oliver's suspicions.
"We're innocent, but if you love causing a fuss, then go ahead. However, you need to come with me now. I haven't completed the task Aunt Lydia asked me to do," Damien said.
Some believed he was magnanimous, prioritizing business. Others suspected guilt, and a plan to settle things privately. Oliver shared this suspicion, watching Damien anxiously.
Chapter 278: I Cannot Let Him Off the Hook (Finished)
"What could be more important than proving your innocence?" Oliver asked.
"It's a private family matter. Follow me." Damien's urgency fueled Oliver's smugness.
"I'm not going. I'm waiting here for Deborah to return," Oliver replied, feeling triumphant.
"Aunt Lydia, I really can't do it alone. I need Oliver's help," Damien appealed.
Lydia suspected Damien planned to persuade Oliver to change his story. "Go on, Oliver. Don't be stubborn. We can talk when you come back."
I've always sensed her partiality toward Damien, Oliver thought resentfully. But it doesn't matter. If I go with him, everyone's doubts will linger. How unexpected. In his panic, Damien has made the worst move possible. I'll go. I want to watch his disgraceful downfall.
"Let me make it clear. If you're hoping for me to cover up any scandal, I won't agree to it," Oliver declared.
He brushed past Damien, who approached Lydia. He whispered, "I'm sorry, Aunt Lydia. He went too far this time. I can't let him off the hook."
Helplessness and sorrow filled Lydia's eyes. "I understand."
This cleaned-up version improves grammar, punctuation, and flow. It also removes some unnecessary repetition and streamlines the narrative. Italics are used for internal thoughts.