Chapter 305 Talk Nonsense
When they arrived at the private room, Malcolm and Bianca stood up to greet them, seeing that Chandler had also come.
Meryl wasn’t particularly surprised. She knew that today’s dinner was a strategic move by Malcolm and Bianca to ease the tension between them through John.
“Meryl, you’re finally here! Come on, let’s order,” Bianca said, signaling the waiter to bring the menu.
Meryl took the menu, selected a few of her favorite dishes, and then handed it to Chandler, maintaining an air of cool detachment throughout. She barely acknowledged Bianca and Malcolm, focusing solely on catching up with John.
She asked John about his school life and his dating status. Chandler sat quietly, listening to the siblings' exchange, occasionally smiling at Meryl’s comments.
After John glanced at Malcolm for the third time, Malcolm, clearly reluctant, nudged Bianca with his elbow.
Bianca said, “Meryl, we invited you here today to apologize. It’s clear that we weren’t fair to you. We hope you can overlook the past, and just enjoy this meal as family. Is that alright?”
Meryl seemed not to have heard, asking John, “Lost your phone? Is it possible you didn’t lose it outside but at home instead?”
“Home?” John frowned. “But I’ve searched everywhere at home. Who would have taken my phone?”
Suddenly, John’s eyes widened with realization. “Lydia?”
“Meryl, don’t ignore me. I’m trying to mend our relationship. Will you talk to me, please?” Bianca pleaded.
Meryl continued to ignore her, instead pulling up a chat log on her phone and pushing it towards John. “A few days ago, I got a message from your number, asking me to meet for coffee at a café on the west side of town. When I arrived, it was Lydia waiting inside.”
John took the phone and looked at the screen. It was indeed his number!
Confused, John asked, “But why would Lydia steal my phone?”
By now, even Bianca had fallen silent, her apology forgotten.
“When I got to the café, I was kidnapped. What do you think Lydia wanted with your phone? She used it to lure me out and let the kidnappers grab me.”
The room fell silent, each person’s expression different from the next.
Malcolm frowned, “Meryl, stop with the wild accusations. This isn’t something to joke about! Why would Lydia do this? What’s in it for her?”
“Whenever I speak, you just dismiss me as talking nonsense. Fine, if you don’t want to hear it, I see no point in staying for this meal!” Meryl snapped, reaching for Chandler and making a move to leave.
Bianca quickly stepped in her way. “Meryl, hold on! Let’s talk this through.”
Bianca shot Malcolm a reproachful look. “Can you let your daughter finish her story?”
Bianca had always suspected Malcolm was overly protective of Lydia, but now she was convinced he had a bias towards Lydia, even more so than towards his own wife.
“Meryl, if Lydia was behind the kidnapping, why was she also taken?” Bianca asked, puzzled.
“Because the kidnappers weren’t sure who was who, they decided to take both of us,” Meryl explained.
Malcolm smirked, clearly mocking the explanation. “Listen to this, she’s claiming Lydia orchestrated the kidnapping but then says the kidnappers didn’t recognize Lydia. Isn’t that contradictory? If Lydia hired the kidnappers, how could they not recognize her and end up kidnapping her too?”
Meryl retorted, “The kidnappers Lydia hired were Rocky’s crew. Rocky gave the orders, but it was his men who carried out the abduction. They wouldn’t have known us apart. Isn’t that logical?”
Malcolm questioned, “That’s even more far-fetched. How could Lydia possibly be connected to Rocky? Three years ago, you and Rocky teamed up to kidnap Lydia. If there’s any connection, it should be between you and Rocky.”
Meryl, clearly frustrated, threw her cup to the floor. “I’ve said it before, the whole thing three years ago was a setup by Lydia. Malcolm, do you have trouble understanding plain language? Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. I’m going to find evidence to clear my name.”
With that, Meryl made it clear she had no intention of staying any longer. She stood up, ready to leave, but Bianca grabbed her by the wrist. “Meryl, the meal isn’t even served yet. Where do you think you’re going? Sit down and eat first.”