Chapter 248
Gloria hadn't expected Kaitlyn to be immune to this tactic.
No—she used to fall for it. It was only after spending time with Willow that she'd become suspicious of Gloria.
This was all Willow's fault!
Gloria ground her teeth in resentment, adjusted her expression, and lifted her head from Kaitlyn's embrace. Tears streamed down her face like rain on pear blossoms.
"I... I don't even know what I did to upset her. I was just driving past the Lancaster Group Building, thinking I'd go up and see Sterry. But she spotted me, suddenly charged over, yanked open my car door, said she was going to 'educate' me for you all, and then just started beating me..."
As she spoke, Gloria's crying intensified. "She's always been so strong. I couldn't fight back at all—I couldn't even defend myself. Mom, I really thought she was going to kill me, that I'd never see you again..."
Hearing this and seeing his daughter's disheveled state, Percy couldn't sit still anymore. "Outrageous! Assaulting someone in broad daylight! Who gave her the nerve?"
Face dark with anger, he stood to go demand justice for his daughter.
Hearing her daughter's tearful account, Kaitlyn also softened, doubt about Willow creeping back into her mind.
Only Henry remained, still looking at Gloria with obvious suspicion. "You're sure Willow attacked you completely unprovoked?"
Gloria nodded through her sobs.
"You ungrateful brat! At a time like this, you're still doubting your sister!" Seeing his son refuse to join him in seeking justice—instead continuing to question her—Percy's fury found a new target. "I'll deal with you first!"
Henry nimbly vaulted over the back of the sofa, making a face at him. "Can't catch me."
Then he pointed toward Gloria. "Why don't you ask your precious daughter how much trouble she's caused lately? If you ask me, she's like this because you spoiled her rotten!"
His words only enraged Percy further. He pulled off his shoe, ready to throw it at Henry's head.
Father and son descended into chaos while Gloria kept up her sobbing.
Only Kaitlyn maintained any semblance of calm, though their racket was giving her a pounding headache.
Just then, Henry's phone on the table rang.
Kaitlyn looked at it like a lifeline and barked, "Everyone, stop! Ster's calling!"
Father and son finally settled down. Henry strolled back to the sofa and answered the call.
"Alright, got it. I'll have them get ready." After whatever was said on the other end, Henry hung up and looked at everyone. "Ster says he's coming for dinner tonight."
The two had grown up together. Sterling eating at the Brown Villa was nothing new—Percy and Kaitlyn were used to it. They immediately had the servants start preparations.
Henry glanced at his father's still-furious expression and casually crossed his legs. "Since it happened at the Lancaster Group Building, we'll know the whole story once Ster gets here. Calm down already. You're not getting any younger."
Percy's eyes flashed. He moved to strike again.
"Enough!" Kaitlyn shot him a glare.
Percy's brow furrowed, but he sat back down.
That evening, Sterling arrived bearing gifts.
"You didn't need to bring anything," Kaitlyn chided fondly.
Henry had been listlessly playing chess with Percy. Seeing Sterling arrive, he immediately stood and went to greet him. "Finally! Let's eat!"
Behind him, Percy looked at his son's casual manner with fresh disapproval.
Everyone took their seats at the dining table.
Henry glanced around. "Where's Glo? Someone go get her."
Kaitlyn replied, "No need. Her adoptive mother hasn't been feeling well these past couple days. She called this afternoon, so Glo went to visit her."
At this, Henry's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "How come I didn't know about that?"
Kaitlyn gave him a look. "You were on the phone at the time. Glo visiting her adoptive mother is perfectly natural—does she need your permission?"
Henry raised an eyebrow meaningfully and looked at his father.
Percy frowned and turned to Sterling. "Ster, good timing. Glo got beaten up outside your company today. Do you know anything about it?"
Henry and Kaitlyn's gazes both locked onto Sterling.
Sterling's voice was low. "That's actually why I came tonight."
He swept a glance over the two of them. "The person who hit her was Willow. You both know her."
"I knew it was her!" Percy's voice rang with anger.
Sterling continued, "Willow's been working in the Lancaster Group's strategy department recently. Yesterday, because of a proposal, the Lancaster Group got caught up in a plagiarism scandal. When we investigated today, we discovered the person who leaked it was a manager in the strategy department..."
An inexplicable unease crept into Kaitlyn's heart. She cut him off. "What does this have to do with Glo getting beaten up?"
Sterling met her gaze and explained calmly, "During the investigation, that manager tried to pin responsibility on Willow. I caught her. And I also discovered that the manager has been in close contact with Gloria recently."
As his words settled over them, the table fell into silence.
Even though Kaitlyn had never involved herself in company matters, with Sterling laying it out this clearly, she understood well enough.
Her daughter had conspired with that manager to try to frame Willow.
She thought back to Gloria's behavior lately. After being grounded, Gloria had been withdrawn and depressed. Kaitlyn had worried her daughter might be developing depression.
But these past couple days, Gloria's mood had noticeably improved.
Kaitlyn had thought she'd finally come to terms with things.
But now, thinking more carefully...
The thought of what her daughter had been plotting without their knowledge—Kaitlyn couldn't accept it.
"No, that can't be. Ster, Glo wouldn't have that kind of nerve. She's immature and has caused plenty of trouble, but she wouldn't dare risk the Lancaster Group's reputation..."
Gloria's absence left Kaitlyn with little conviction as she defended her.
The further she went, the quieter her voice became.
She knew Sterling wouldn't falsely accuse anyone. If he was saying this, he must have solid evidence.
Sure enough, before she could finish, Sterling had already produced a phone and placed it on the table.
"This belongs to the manager from our company. After everything happened today, she made a call. I had it traced—the number is registered under Gloria's adoptive mother, Valerie Edwards."
The phone sat on the table. No one reached for it.
Everyone knew Sterling wouldn't lie about something like this.
Gloria had indeed done it.
"Additionally, when that manager was terminated, she became emotionally unstable and physically attacked Willow at the company," Sterling added.
With that, everyone quickly understood why Willow had gone after Gloria.
Learning that his daughter had caused such a massive problem, Percy's expression turned ugly.
Beside him, Henry poured fuel on the fire. "Percy, why so quiet now? Weren't you just talking about standing up for Glo? Still planning to?"
Percy shot him a furious glare.
In front of Sterling, he maintained his dignity as an elder and turned to Sterling. "I apologize on Glo's behalf. Rest assured, I'll give you a proper accounting of this matter."