Chapter 214: Clear Explanation

Chapter 214: Clear Explanation

The mockery and coldness in Sophia's eyes deepened: "Do you really need me to tell you what you've done?"

She had no desire to continue this charade with Zachary. Rather than drag this out, she might as well expose his lies completely. She picked up her phone, about to show Zachary the evidence Paula had sent her the night before.

Just then, violent coughing from the hospital bed interrupted her.

Dylan opened his eyes, his hoarse voice cracking as he erupted in a harsh coughing fit.

Sophia's face went pale with alarm. She quickly helped Dylan sit up, patting his back while worry filled her features: "Grandpa, let me call the doctor right away."

Dylan waved her off weakly, struggling to speak: "No need... just some water."

Sophia frowned deeply, carefully studying Dylan's complexion. Only after confirming his color had returned to normal did she relax slightly, exhaling in relief: "You scared me to death."

He shook his head and patted the space beside him on the bed.

After Sophia sat down, he turned to look coldly at Zachary.

"Grandpa—"

"Don't call me Grandpa," he cut Zachary off, his expression stern and tone severe: "I never imagined you could do such a thing. Is the family's honor worth nothing to you?"

Speaking of this matter made his chest tighten with anger again. His face flushed red as he clutched his chest, breathing rapidly.

Sophia's eyes widened in alarm as she rushed to soothe him: "Please don't get upset. The doctor said you can't have any emotional outbursts right now. Please calm down."

Dylan shook off Sophia's hand, his tone equally harsh toward her: "Did you know about this all along?"

Sophia was caught completely off guard, momentarily speechless.

He snorted coldly: "I'll deal with you later. You kept something this huge from me. You've suffered so much, and you never thought how heartbroken I'd be finding out like this?"

Sophia's eyes reddened. Faced with Dylan's overwhelming pain and concern, she couldn't meet his gaze.

Zachary spoke quietly from the side: "Don't be angry with her. This whole thing is a misunderstanding from start to finish. Naturally, Sophia wouldn't know the truth."

Despite Dylan's scolding, he didn't argue back, only saying calmly: "Let me explain."

However, Dylan had run out of patience entirely.

Clutching his chest, he roared angrily: "Get out! I won't listen to another word of your excuses. Don't ever appear before me again."

Dylan took several deep breaths, then looked up with deep disappointment, pointing toward the door: "From now on, I'll act as if this family never had someone like you. Sophia is my only granddaughter. Get out of the Spencer house before you damage the family's reputation any further!"

Not only Zachary, but Sophia was also shocked by Dylan's unusually firm stance.

She instinctively opened her mouth, wanting to mediate.

After all, this was fundamentally between her and Zachary. Getting Dylan involved and causing his hospitalization was already her fault.

How could she stand by and watch Dylan and Zachary develop a rift because of her?

Sophia gently took Dylan's arm, speaking softly: "Grandpa, you need to rest right now. If the doctor finds out you haven't recovered properly, they'll blame me for not taking good care of you."

These words finally convinced Dylan.

He sighed deeply, though his attitude didn't soften.

He barked at Zachary: "Get out! You no longer have the right to call me Grandpa, or to see me."

He seemed determined to sever all ties with Zachary.

Sophia looked worriedly between them. The atmosphere was suffocating.

After a moment's hesitation, she stood up and left for the adjacent room, giving them space alone.

She felt she already owed Dylan enough and didn't want them falling out because of her. After all, regarding Zachary and Paula's relationship, she had known about it early on.

She was the one who had been helping Zachary hide it from Dylan all along.

In the hospital room, Dylan watched Sophia's retreating figure with a heavy sigh.

Sophia was wonderful in every way, except she sometimes overthought everything, which made her ignore her own feelings.

Even when wronged, she wouldn't speak up.

He looked coldly at Zachary: "What else do you have to say? Sophia has already compromised for you to this extent. Let me see what other excuses you can come up with."

Zachary bowed his head slightly: "These are all media fabrications. I've already dealt with the online rumors. There won't be any more such talk circulating."

Rather than helping, this explanation only made Dylan more furious.

His anger surged again: "So you think as long as you handle the online talk, this whole matter is over? You believe you can fool both me and Sophia as long as no one knows about the shameful things you've done!"

Zachary choked: "That's not what I meant."

Dylan no longer wanted to hear Zachary's explanations: "Get out! Get out of here!"

"I—"

He felt exhausted. For some reason, today neither Sophia nor Dylan seemed willing to listen to any explanation.

He said helplessly, "This was just internet rumors from the start. Besides what's online, I don't know what else needs addressing."

Dylan angrily pointed at the door: "Get out! How could the Spencer family produce such a scoundrel? Having Sophia marry you was the stupidest decision I've ever made. You're completely unworthy of her!"

Zachary took a deep breath. He knew anything he said right now would be wrong, and he didn't want to continue upsetting Dylan: "Please rest well. I'll come see you another day."

Sophia had been listening from outside. Seeing they were really about to part on bad terms, she felt helpless.

She quickly came out to mediate: "Grandpa, let me chat with you. I'll bring the children to visit you another day."

Dylan said irritably: "Don't try to change the subject for him."

Sophia shook her head with amusement, explaining gently: "I'm not helping anyone else—I'm helping you. The doctor said if your body gets agitated again, you'll have to stay in the hospital longer. Don't you want to be discharged soon?"

He had no retort and could only snort coldly.

Meanwhile, Sophia looked up and gave Zachary a cold shake of her head, silently showing him the door.