Chapter 84: Beware Of Divine Retribution
“Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Quixall.”
Taking a deep breath, Agnes finally made up her mind.
“I remember now, there was indeed a lengthy period tonight, before you returned, where Raquel was in Seiren’s room, comforting her. They seemed to have a good relationship, one that brought me comfort.”
Relieved, Deborah responded, “Is that so?”
The weight in her heart finally lifted when she faced Caleb, giving her the courage to speak again.
“Did you hear that, Caleb? Agnes has proven Raquel’s innocence. What else do you have to say?”
At that moment, Caleb felt a sudden urge to laugh. “You’ve already said everything there is to say. What else can I possibly add?”
The words brought a frown to Deborah’s face. “Judging by your expression, you’re not convinced?”
Since when did my son become so stubborn? Even though the truth is clearly laid out before him, he still insists on denying it.
Caleb spoke leisurely. “Raquel, you’ve done plenty of evil. You had better start worrying about divine retribution.”
Raquel’s heart skipped a beat, yet she forced herself to remain composed. “Everything I’ve said is the truth. My conscience is clear.”
Deborah’s temper flared as she scolded, “Caleb, the truth is out there now, yet you’re still trying to intimidate others!”
Having weathered many storms, Caleb had become remarkably collected.
“Usually, I’m the one being threatened. I’ve never experienced what it’s like to intimidate others.”
“You!”
Deborah was so overcome with frustration that she nearly choked on herself.
Taking a moment, she said, “We should never have let your sister bring you back! Look at what you’ve turned our family into?”
Caleb softly stated, “I never said I wanted to come back.”
Not wanting to waste any more time, he pointed at Raquel, saying, “After dinner, this woman came to my room with a bowl of pasta. Seeing the box of medicine in my hand, she lost her temper and threw both the medicine and the bowl at my head. I told her to leave, and she departed with a pitiful look. After that, we didn’t see each other. It was only just now, when you falsely accused me of hurting this maid, that I saw her again.”
Deborah did not believe it.
“You’ve explained the matter about the broken porcelain, but what about making Seiren cry? How do you explain that?”
Caleb spoke calmly. “In the afternoon, this maid intruded into my room without permission, claiming she wanted to apply medicine for me. When I refused, she ran off crying.”
Deborah retorted loudly, “Nonsense! Seiren has always been strong. How could she be reduced to tears by just a few words from you?”
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Seiren’s face, unsure of how to explain.
Back then, it was her first close encounter with Caleb. To her surprise, he lashed out at her, catching her completely off guard.
The impression he gave her was far removed from what she had imagined. The contrast was simply too great. Unable to contain herself, tears began to well up in her eyes.
This truly isn’t my fault…
Seeing Caleb unable to respond, Deborah coldly huffed, “Are you done? Well, then allow me to share my version. Last night, after your father left, Seiren, feeling sympathetic toward you, secretly went upstairs to bring you food. She wanted to apply medicine for you, yet she was unaware that after your time in prison, where you endured beatings, you had developed a strong aversion to being touched by strangers. Crossing your boundaries, you lost your temper, and in your rage, you strangled her. She was breathless, fiercely resisting. In her panic, she grabbed the bowl on the bedside table and hurled it at your face, which was how you got that conspicuous scar on your forehead!”