Chapter 284: They Must Not Be Together

Ruby was genuinely frightened. "Mom, shut up! Let's go," Ava urged, her voice trembling.

Ruby was reluctant, but Ava pulled her to her feet.

"Hold on! Who said you could leave without explaining yourselves?" Lydia demanded.

"That's my son! How I deal with him is my business!" Ava roared. "We are not the same. When Oliver did something wrong, I punished him. But what has Damien done to deserve this? Your actions have implicated Ms. Deborah. Do you think you can avoid this? Oliver said you were the mastermind! What are you trying to do?"

Lydia felt heartbroken for Damien. She couldn't believe Ava's cruelty.

The crowd murmured in heated discussion. Many knew of Ava's past mistreatment of Damien; the general consensus was that an obstructed labor and her husband's death had caused her mental instability, leading her to torment Damien. This time, however, she had gone too far, attempting to ruin his reputation and future. Some whispered she needed psychiatric help.

Damien, still reeling from a romantic rejection, was indifferent to his mother and sister's actions; he was numb to their cruelty.

Ava glared at Lydia. "You want to pursue this? Fine. I'm his mother, she's his sister. Handle it with my son."

"Shameless! You're guilt-tripping everyone!" someone exclaimed. "It's a tricky situation; it's a crime that hasn't been committed yet, and it involves family members. It's hard to involve the police."

"So you're saying you don't want to take responsibility?" Lydia asked coldly.

A voice cut through the tension. "Of course they should take responsibility, but it's not as serious as everyone thinks."

A man, Sergio Willis, entered. Alexander identified him. Sergio had recently returned from a business trip after receiving a message from his daughter about being held captive. He’d rushed over and started an investigation.

Sergio smoothly claimed a misunderstanding.

"Many witnessed it. Are you suggesting it was a misunderstanding?" a Winters family member retorted.

Sergio chuckled. "My daughter and Oliver were already in a relationship. Oliver, pressured by Lydia, didn't dare refuse the engagement. My wife, unable to bear seeing them separated, devised this plan. It was a lesson for our rebellious son. We didn't expect it to escalate."

"Shamelessness is hereditary!" someone scoffed. "How could they twist the story like this?"

Alexander sensed Sergio's intentions weren't genuine.

Sergio continued, "They were wrong, and will apologize. Ava will never cut ties with Damien. Let's strengthen that bond. Since Oliver and Ruby are in love, let's announce their engagement today. We'll be one big family."

Everyone was stunned. The Willis family, recently risen to prominence thanks to Damien, were now proposing a marriage into the Winters family. Their scheme was transparent. Ruby and Deborah were not equals; such a match was previously unthinkable. Yet, Sergio's explanation convinced some. Marrying could salvage their reputations; with time, the truth would emerge. Some Winters family members approved.

"Shamelessness knows no bounds," someone whispered. "He knows his daughter's reputation is ruined, and he doesn't like Oliver. But if his daughter marries into the Winters family and has Oliver's child, that child could be Lydia's grandchild and a future heir. The Willis family would rise in status."

Alexander thought: If Ruby marries Oliver, the Willis family will target Damien, even more ruthlessly than Ava.

Sergio addressed Lydia, "My daughter is young; Oliver is her first boyfriend. I don't want her used or toyed with."

Was this a subtle threat? Ava was blamed, but perhaps Oliver exploited his mother and daughter. Sergio was also threatening Lydia. If she refused, the blame would shift to Oliver.

Lydia's face hardened. Unless she ended her relationship with Oliver, she wouldn't accept Ruby. She understood Alexander's thoughts. Sergio subtly signaled to Ruby, who considered her tarnished reputation. Marrying Oliver was advantageous; she didn't believe Lydia would abandon him. They could continue their battle against Damien and Deborah.

Oliver was shocked. He wanted to protest; he didn't want to marry Ruby, only a casual relationship. He wouldn't let anyone control his fate. He realized Sergio was threatening him.

Before he could speak, Ava roared, "No way! They absolutely cannot be together!"

Ava's reaction was intense