Chapter 1080

Rafael, having learned the gossip from a Supreme Court employee, discussed the matter with several people. During a break, he and Matthew sought refreshments. Their conversation outside then turned to the subject of Douglas, a five-year office veteran seeking advancement. Douglas had heard rumors about Malcolm's mistress, who'd been sent to a convent after giving birth to a daughter.

This led Douglas to believe Malcolm possessed indulgent tastes. He decided to offer his own daughter, Karen, as a concubine to Malcolm. When Malcolm refused, Douglas, ever the schemer, wrongly assumed Malcolm's wife had intervened. He devised a plan to send Karen to Malcolm while his wife was away, hoping to force the issue.

Douglas learned that Malcolm often visited temples and walked in the countryside with his wife, Marjorie. Bribing the gatekeeper, he discovered their plans to visit the hot springs after a temple visit. He secretly sent his drugged daughter ahead.

However, Marjorie fell ill, forcing Malcolm to stay home. Karen, left waiting, was violated by a lecherous man who vanished without a trace. Douglas later learned Malcolm never went to the hot springs. Karen's lost innocence, and the unknown perpetrator, left Douglas devastated, having sacrificed everything for nothing.

Worse, the rumor of Karen's violation spread. Fearing damage to his career, Douglas falsely claimed Karen had acted improperly, secretly dealing with the situation to protect his reputation.

Upon hearing this, Carissa slammed her fist on the table, rattling the dishes. "So, you're saying Douglas tried to use his daughter to advance his career? And when that failed, he wanted her killed?!"

Violet seethed. "What I've uncovered is similar, but with more details. Douglas tricked his daughter into going to the temple, then had someone drug and send her to the hot springs. And this isn't the first time—he did it to his sister, who died."

"This is outrageous! We need to report this!" Carissa exclaimed.

While Carissa's anger was unusual, Rafael cautioned, "Unless Ms. Whitley accuses him herself, who will take the case? Even then, a child suing a parent would face thirty lashes to repay parental kindness. A young woman couldn't endure that. Besides, Ms. Whitley has longed for death; she likely wouldn't want to expose what happened."

Violet trembled with rage. "How could a father be so vile? To use his daughter's suffering for his career, his future—without regard for her life? Even if Malcolm were involved, dozens of others were. Even as Malcolm's concubine, her life would have been ruined. To think this could happen among officials… It's horrifying."

Carissa understood why Karen preferred death to remaining with her family. That place had become hell.

"Is there nothing we can do?" Carissa asked, her voice laced with helplessness.

Rafael's eyes held pity, not just for Karen, but also for her deceased aunt. The situation was dire. Pursuing it would harm Karen, who wished to die.

"I've heard he has other daughters," Rafael said, shaking his head. "Since Ms. Whitley failed, the next victim will likely be one of them."

"Those other daughters—none acknowledged Karen as a sister," Violet spat. "We don't need to care about them."

Carissa countered, "They didn't deny her willingly; they were forced. It's obvious from the situation."