Chapter 87
The crowd’s attention instantly snapped to the arriving police. Were they here to arrest someone? But the officers seemed to be heading straight for Wendelyn.
As expected, the police approached the stage, apparently ready to take her in for questioning.
But before they could act, Wendelyn burst out screaming, “Don’t you dare touch me!” Tears streamed down her face as she tearfully accused Shermaine, “What is this about? Why did you call the police to arrest me?”
Shermaine studied her, a faint, mocking smile playing on her lips. “Attempted murder is still murder. Of course, you’ll have to pay.”
Wendelyn put on a pitiful act, her tone exaggeratedly aggrieved as she said, “I didn’t do it! I know you’ve disliked me ever since you came back. You were homeless for fourteen long years, while I was lucky enough to be adopted.
“You think I stole your life, but I never actually fought you for anything. Why do you want me dead? Why are you framing me?”
The fake victim’s classic playbook was putting on an innocent, fragile act to fish for sympathy, all while subtly implying that Shermaine was only targeting her out of sheer jealousy.
“God, not the same trick again,” Shermaine thought.
Some of them were new to this fact and felt surprised. So Wendelyn was actually adopted? How… fortunate for her.
A handful of people bought her act, but none dared to speak up for her. After all, Joshua had Shermaine’s back. This was the York family’s turf, only a fool would be suicidal enough to play the hero here.
Roy couldn’t believe Wendelyn could be the mastermind. How could such a kind-hearted girl do something so terrible? He was just about to speak up when Henry grabbed his arm and warned, “Don’t be impulsive. Just wait and see.”
“There must be some misunderstanding,” Roy insisted.
Henry smacked Roy upside the head and warned, “Mark my words: if you dare speak up for Wendelyn tonight, Joshua will definitely cut ties with you.”
Cut ties?
Just imagining that scenario made Roy pale, and he soon lost his nerve.
The consequence would be too severe.
But deep down, Roy was still indignant. ‘There’s no way Wendelyn is that wicked,’ he insisted to himself.
Ruth was dumbfounded at first, then exploded with rage. She stormed over, jabbing a finger at Shermaine’s face, and shrieked, “How dare you, Shermaine! Being Joshua’s woman doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want!
“There’s no way Wendelyn would ever break the law. You’re already the heiress. What more do you want? Will you only be satisfied when you’ve torn this family apart?”
Jameson’s reaction was more subdued than hers. He merely furrowed his brows and whispered, “Sheary, could there be some misunderstanding? Today is your engagement party. Let’s not make a scene in front of everyone.”
Deep down, Jameson thought, ‘This is utterly humiliating. Why can’t she settle things privately instead of making a public spectacle? It’s just so willful and immature.’
Ross said firmly, “Sheary isn’t someone who makes baseless accusations – she would never wrong an innocent person. And if she hadn’t removed the worm from Leslie’s system, he would’ve been dead. Father, Mother, I hope you can judge this matter fairly.”
Janice sneered, “You’re just an adopted daughter. Carrying our last name doesn’t make you one of us. I’ve never recognized you as family—not even once. What a joke. You really think you’re better now?”
By now, Janice was done being nice to Wendelyn. Since Shermaine had the police come for her, she must be the one behind this mess. Unbelievable, the Jean family gave Wendelyn everything, yet she dared to plot against their only heiress.
Janice thundered, “And you, Ruth! If you dare shield a murderer and turn against your own flesh and blood, then take that murderer and get out of our house!”