Chapter 340: Turn Yourself In
"I... I was just concerned about Charles and Ewan's condition, asking casually. How was I supposed to know these things would happen?" Kismet lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly as she looked absolutely pitiful.
Oliver watched Kismet's wounded demeanor, and he was starting to believe her. He sighed, preparing to offer comfort, when an aged but authoritative voice came from the doorway:
"Oh? Is that so? Kismet, why don't you tell us exactly how you were 'concerned' about Charles, and how your 'casual asking' managed to extract so much classified information that even I wasn't privy to?"
Everyone turned toward the voice to see an elderly man with silver hair but sharp eyes, leaning on a walking cane with his butler's assistance, slowly entering the room. It was Charles's grandfather and Oliver's older brother—William! He had returned early from his medical retreat!
Seeing William, Oliver's face changed dramatically. He quickly stood up: "William? Weren't you at the cardiac treatment center in Lumaria? Why are you back?"
William ignored Oliver, his piercing gaze fixed directly on Kismet, his eyes filled with disappointment and ice-cold fury: "Kismet, the Windsor family has treated you more than fairly. Why would you do this?"
At the sight of William, Kismet went white as a sheet. The blood drained from her face instantly, and her sobs stopped abruptly. She never expected William to return at this critical moment!
Unlike the gentle Oliver, William was ruthless when it came to people he disapproved of—he wouldn't show an ounce of mercy! Moreover, he had no sentimental attachment to her and wouldn't be as easily manipulated as Oliver!
Oliver was completely stunned. William's words essentially confirmed that Kate's accusations were true.
He whipped around to stare at Kismet, his eyes filled with shock, anger, and deep anguish. He had always trusted his judgment, cherishing Kismet like his own granddaughter, even willing to create rifts with William and Charles for her sake. But in the end, the person he had genuinely cared for turned out to be a scheming viper who had betrayed him!
A crushing wave of betrayal and fury overwhelmed Oliver. He pointed at Kismet, his finger trembling violently from extreme anger, his voice hoarse as he roared: "Kismet! Why... why would you do this? You traitor!"
Kismet completely panicked. She knew William's appearance had turned the tide completely. She tried to speak in her defense, but found her throat blocked as if something were stuck there. Not a single word would come out. She could only collapse to the floor, her face ashen.
Oliver was in agon,y too. He felt dizzy, his chest tight as a vise, making it difficult to breathe. Sharp pains shot through his heart. Clutching his chest, he staggered backward, fortunately caught by a quick-thinking servant. Looking down at Kismet's crumpled form, his eyes filled with heartbreak: "I... I must have been blind! The Windsor family treated you like our own daughter, and you... you committed such unconscionable acts! You... you've disappointed me beyond words!"
He took a deep breath, forcing down the sharp pain in his chest, his eyes regaining their usual integrity and authority: "Kismet, you must take responsibility for your crimes! You... you need to turn yourself in! Go to the police and confess everything! However long your sentence is, you'll serve it!"
"Turn myself in? Prison?"
Kismet's head snapped up, her eyes filled with terror and disbelief. She looked as if she'd heard the most horrifying thing possible, shaking her head frantically: "No! Uncle Oliver! I won't go! I can't go to prison! I'm still young—I don't want to spend my whole life behind bars! Uncle Oliver, please save me! I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong!"
She crawled on her knees to Oliver's feet, clutching his pants leg desperately, her cries heart-wrenching and shrill: "Uncle Oliver, for the sake of how you raised me after my parents died, please forgive me this once! I promise I'll never do it again! I'll leave the Windsor family immediately and never appear before you again! Please, Uncle Oliver!"
With that, she suddenly let go and lunged toward a nearby pillar!
"Stop!" Oliver cried out in alarm. Despite Kismet's deep betrayal, she was someone he had watched grow up, and they had shared so many years together. His instinct was to prevent her from hurting herself, but the nearby servant reacted faster, grabbing Kismet and pulling her back.
Kismet hadn't really put any force behind the attempt—it was all for show. Once restrained, she collapsed to the floor, her forehead slightly red from the "impact," her face streaked with tears, her eyes empty and hopeless, the picture of absolute despair. Her act was so convincing she almost bought it herself.
Seeing her condition, Oliver's fury was completely extinguished by lingering compassion. He closed his eyes, waving his hand wearily, his voice hoarse: "Enough... enough... Just go! Leave the Windsor family and never come back!"
Kismet's heart leaped with joy, knowing her gamble had paid off, but she dared not show any sign of relief on her face, maintaining her expression of devastation: "Uncle Oliver..."
"Get out!" Oliver's eyes snapped open, filled with uncompromising finality, though beneath that resolution lay deep helplessness.
Kismet knew when to quit while she was ahead, understanding that further pleading would only backfire. She slowly stood up, taking one last long look at Oliver—a complex gaze containing resentment, unwillingness, but mostly relief at her escape. She said nothing more, dragging her unsteady feet step by step out of Windsor Manor's front door, her retreating figure appearing somewhat desolate.
Watching her disappearing silhouette, Oliver felt the pain in his chest intensify. Clutching his chest, he began coughing violently.
William had observed everything in cold silence. Only after Kismet's figure vanished completely did he speak slowly, his voice devoid of any warmth: "Oliver, you're too soft-hearted."
Oliver smiled bitterly, his face pale: "William, she... she called me Uncle Oliver for so many years."
William snorted coldly, choosing not to continue this topic, though his deep eyes flashed with ruthless light. He didn't tell Oliver that just because Oliver had spared Kismet didn't mean he would. This woman, with such deep cunning and vicious methods—keeping her alive would be an endless source of trouble!
That very afternoon, an internal warrant was quietly issued, targeting Kismet for suspected involvement in multiple cases of assault and attempted murder, with a staggering bounty. William wanted her completely destroyed, ensuring she would never have another chance to rise again.