After a while, Raquel arrived, accompanied by her parents, Ivan and Shreya. All three wore grim expressions, Raquel's particularly unpleasant. Her eyes were swollen from crying, tear streaks still visible on her cheeks. She looked pitifully endearing.

“Mr. Quixall, Mrs. Quixall, I really didn’t do it. I’ve been wrongfully accused!”

She harbored intense resentment. Would she have ended up like this if Joseph hadn’t been so foolish? He’s even more foolish than Caleb; a few words from others were enough to force the truth from him. I must have been blind! How on earth did I choose him?

George looked at her coldly. “Enough. Say no more. Tomorrow, you’re coming with me to hold a press conference to call off your engagement with Jesse!”

Raquel collapsed in tears. “Mr. Quixall, you can’t do this to me! I’ve loved Jesse for five whole years, and every minute, every second, my feelings have been genuine. I’ve never once let him down!”

George scoffed. “You’re genuine? I suppose you’re genuine about Joseph, too, aren’t you? All that comes out of your mouth are lies. How much can I really trust you?”

Raquel’s heart sank. She was no longer able to defend herself. Judging by the look on George’s face, it seemed that no matter what, he would never believe her. All this is Caleb’s fault! Had he not insisted on revealing this matter in front of such a large crowd, would she have faced such a predicament? Her hatred had reached such an extreme point that her breathing gradually became rapid, nearly causing her to faint. Ivan stepped forward, helping his daughter to her feet.

“Mr. Quixall, you can’t just believe one side of the story! At the very least, you should hear what my daughter has to say and give her a chance to explain herself!”

George furrowed his brows in annoyance. “The facts are right in front of us. What else could you possibly explain?”

Although Shreya was typically timid, she summoned the courage for her daughter’s sake and said, “Mr. Quixall, times have changed. Nowadays, young people advocate for the freedom to love who they choose. As parents of two children, we should allow them to communicate freely, instead of recklessly interfering and potentially ruining their happiness. Don’t you agree?”

George had calmed down slightly and said to Agnes, “Go and call Jesse over. Remember to explain the situation to him clearly. Don’t exaggerate or dramatize things to avoid upsetting him and causing him to end up in the hospital again.”

Agnes nodded repeatedly. “Understood. Understood.” She quickened her pace and soon found herself at Jesse’s door. She gently knocked.

“Mr. Jesse, it’s me. Mr. Quixall asked me to relay some information to you. Are you still asleep?”

“No, I’m awake now.” Jesse opened the door, his gaze gentle. “Agnes, what does my dad want to tell me?”

Agnes glanced around the room. “Mr. Jesse, may I come in to speak?”

“Come in,” he responded. As soon as Jesse stepped aside, Agnes walked in. She nonchalantly took a seat, completely oblivious to the deep furrow in Jesse’s brow.

“Mr. Jesse, brace yourself. What I’m about to tell you is a matter of great importance.”

Jesse gave a nod, settling himself at the edge of the bed. “I’m listening. Go on.”

Agnes stated, “There’s a video going viral online right now. In the video, Mr. Joseph claims that he and Ms. Raquel had been together for several years. Even before Mr. Caleb was imprisoned, the two of them were already in touch.”