In the banquet hall, Samson and others planned to leave after seeing Evangeline depart. Suddenly, a reporter's voice called from below the stage. "At the start of the press conference, you vowed that what you said was true and that you didn't harm Evangeline. Instead, you claimed Evangeline harmed you and singled you out. You said that if you lied, you would kneel and slap your face. Now that it's proven you all lied, shouldn't you uphold your oath?" Other reporters echoed the sentiment with cries of: "I almost forgot about this. Fortunately, someone remembered it!" "Hurry up! Don't waste everyone's time!" "You guys are already in a rough spot. You wouldn't want to be further labeled as promise-breakers, would you?"

Everyone on stage fell silent. Initially, some tried to deny it and sneak away, but the reporters blocked their escape. Samson knelt, raised his hand, and slapped himself repeatedly. Ten hard slaps later, his face was swollen. Seeing this, the others knelt and slapped themselves as well.

Afterward, Dallas said hypocritically, "Oh, that was just a joke. How can you all be so serious? Well, this press conference is over. Let's go home!" Dallas instructed the staff to return the participants' mobile phones, each also receiving a power bank.

Samson left dejectedly, the reporters swarming him. Although their popularity wasn't as high as Evangeline's, they were now hot topics, attracting considerable attention. All five were surrounded; even without answering questions, the reporters persisted. Finally, Dallas had the staff clear a path, allowing them to leave the hotel. Samson hurried ahead, Meghan trotting behind.

"Sam, wait for me! You said you would protect me. How could you leave without me?" Meghan cried.

Samson's face darkened. "She almost killed me. How dare she ask for my protection?" he thought. Many cars were parked outside the hotel. As Samson exited, an MPV stopped before him. Edward and Jasper emerged. Jasper said, "Sam, get in the car." Samson quickly complied. Meghan ran over, attempting to enter, but Samson kicked her away.

"Get lost, you vile woman! Don't follow me anymore, and don't come near me in the future!" Samson shouted angrily.

The kick sent Meghan to the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "Sam, I'm your sister, who you've been doting on for twenty years. Are you going to deny me because of this small matter?" Samson's chest heaved with anger. I almost lost my life. Is this considered a small matter in her eyes? he thought.

"Sam, calm down. We'll talk about it later," Jasper said, patting Samson's shoulder. He then addressed Meghan: "Come up too. Mom and Dad are still waiting at home."

Meghan cried with joy, getting into the car. Samson tried to stop her, but Jasper restrained him. "Sam, don't make a scene."

Samson angrily retorted, "Jas, didn't you watch the livestream? Don't you know what she has done for the past seven days?"

"I did," Jasper replied.

Samson roared, "Since you've watched it, you should know she wants me dead! Why did you let her get in the car? I've always regarded her as my blood sister, treated her better than anyone else, and she did this to me! She's an ingrate! Why do you let her go home with us?"

Tears streamed down Meghan's face. "Sam, you misunderstood me"

"Shut up! You're full of lies. I don't want to hear your explanation. Get out of the car now!" Samson cut her off.

Meghan, tears in her eyes, looked at Edward and Jasper. "Eddie, Jas, don't you believe me? Are you going to kick me out, too?"

Edward said, "Stop arguing. Let's talk about it at home. Mom and Dad asked us to take you both home."

Samson started to speak, but Edward stopped him. "Sam, calm down. Don't talk. Mom and Dad have watched the livestream. They know what happened in the forest. Let's discuss it after we go home." Samson gritted his teeth and fell silent. Meghan, however, was flustered, knowing George and Bethany had also seen the livestream.

After a silent half-hour drive, the car stopped at the Gallagher residence. The three siblings and Meghan entered. George and Bethany sat on the couches, seemingly waiting.

Upon seeing them, Meghan knelt. "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. I did something wrong in the forest and hurt Sam. Please forgive me!"

Slap!

Bethany slapped Meghan hard, trembling with anger. "We ignored our child for you. Is this how you thank us? Sam treats you best, but you treat him like a slave! You ignored his illness and even prevented others from helping him! You wished for him to die! Don't you have a heart? How could you do such a thing? You've let Sam down! You've let us down! You're such an ingrate! You've betrayed the love we've given you for so many years!"

Bethany wept with anger, raising her hand to strike again. George grabbed her wrist. "Enough! Stop it! Can't you be more composed instead of acting like a shrew?"

Bethany retorted angrily, "Our son was almost killed by this ingrate! I just want justice! What's wrong with that? Do you want our son to be bullied in vain?"

George, sullen, said, "I told you Meghan's outburst was due to a stress-induced mental disorder. She didn't intend it, and she's in agony. Can't you see how sad and regretful she is? She's apologized. Please, don't hold on to it."

Bethany looked at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about? She almost killed our son, and she tried to kill our daughter! How can you still defend her?"

George frowned. "Don't be so harsh. It was Evangeline who almost harmed Sam, not Meghan! Even if Meghan intentionally stopped others from helping Sam, she wasn't the direct culprit. Evangeline is still to blame! Think before you speak. Don't be swayed by internet opinions. We should be able to think for ourselves. Do you believe Meghan is hypocritical and malicious like others are saying? Those people have never met Meghan. What do they know? We've lived with Meghan for twenty years. Don't you know what kind of person Meghan is?"

Bethany's expression changed. Meghan chimed in, "Dad knows me best."

She continued, "Mom, like Dad mentioned, I was so affected my mind was jumbled. I couldn't recall what happened in the forest. Many things weren't what I truly intended. My mental disorder made me fail to control my actions and thoughts, so I made mistakes. However, even though I didn't do those things on purpose, I still hurt Sam. I'm ready to face the consequences as long as you forgive me!"

She sobbed, appearing genuinely remorseful and innocent.

Samson exclaimed, "Dad, don't defend her! She was perfectly clear-headed, not mentally abnormal at all! She's vicious, just like her housekeeper mother. She was born evil. She can't even be compared to Evangeline!"

Slap!

George stood, slapped Samson, and scolded, "Meghan is your sister! How can you say such things? Have you forgotten your promise to always protect Meghan?"

Samson covered his face, disbelieving. "She wants me to die, but you still want me to love her?"

George said righteously, "A man must keep his word. Since you promised to love Meghan no matter what, you should forgive her. Besides, I've said Meghan did wrong because of a mental disorder. She's not a bad person by nature."

Samson, too angry to speak, stormed upstairs. Edward and Jasper said simultaneously, "I'll go comfort Sam." Bethany snorted and followed. Only George and Meghan remained. George helped Meghan up, wiping her tears. "Stop crying. I won't let them drive you away."

"Dad," Meghan threw herself into his arms, crying. "My image and reputation are ruined. What should I do?"

George said, "You still have me. I will support you for the rest of your life!"

George looked at Meghan and said, "Go to the study with me. Tell me what you have suffered." Meghan nodded. They went to the study. George closed and locked the door, then pinned Meghan against the desk.