Chapter 112

Chapter 112

"Exactly! The Brown family's reputation can't just be ruined like this!" another person chimed in. "Ms. Blake has to give us an explanation, or we won't recognize her as part of the Brown family!"

The accusations came flooding in like a tide, all directed at Ophelia. The atmosphere around William turned frighteningly cold. His eyes swept across the room scanning everyone present with a gaze so icy that it made their hearts tremble. "First, Finnian's crimes are undeniable. Anyone who solicits for him will be identified as an enemy of the Brown Group. Don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Second, Ophelia is my wife. She's a direct victim of Finnian's crimes, not a trouble maker. Anyone who dares to slander or make things difficult for her is slapping me, William, in the face. I'll pay them back a hundredfold and immediately kick them out of the Brown family, cutting off all Brown family resources and support."

"Third, the hospital is not a place for making trouble. If you keep making noise here and disturbing patients' stay, I'll have to involve the police!"

William's words rang out with undeniable authority. The relatives who had been clamoring loudly just moments ago instantly fell silent. They looked at each other, and no one dared to make another sound.

But Octavia still wasn't willing to give up. She stuck her neck out and shouted, "William, don't try to scare us! We came here today to get justice for Finnian. If you don't agree, we'll..."

"You'll what?" Ophelia suddenly spoke up. Her voice wasn't loud, everyone could hear her clearly. She stood up from the chair and walked to William's side, looking at Octavia with calm eyes. "You keep talking about justice, so let me ask you - I was kidnapped by Finnian, locked in a water dungeon soaking in cold water, my wrists rubbed raw and bloody by rope, my forehead bleeding from being hit. Those tourists were poisoned by him, their skin red, swollen, and itchy. Don't we deserve justice for all we went through?"

She raised her hand and pulled down her scarf a bit, revealing the faint scar on her forehead, then lifted her bandaged wrist. Her voice was firm: "When Finnian did these things, why didn't he think about blood relations? Why didn't he think about the Brown family's reputation? Now he's getting what he deserves, yet all you can do is defend him while pushing all the blame onto me, the victim. Is this what justice means to you?"

Ophelia's words were like a sharp knife, ruthlessly exposing carefully concealed hypocrisy.

Octavia was left speechless, her face deathly pale. She opened her mouth but couldn't say a single word.

The others also kept their heads down, their eyes flickering with guilt.

Just then, there was a commotion at the hall entrance. Luca pushed Xavier, who had just been discharged, into the room.

Xavier wore a dark suit. Though his face was still pale, his eyes were clear and his presence commanding. His cane tapped lightly on the floor, its sound instantly drawing everyone's attention.

"Grandpa!" William quickly went forward to steady the wheelchair.

Xavier's gaze swept coldly across the room, finally landing on Octavia and the few troublemakers. His cane struck the floor heavily: "I just got discharged and got news that some people were causing a scene at the hospital. What are you descendants of the Brown family up to?"

No one dared to speak. Octavia pressed her lips together and lowered her head even more.

"Finnian broke the law and got what he deserved. Instead of condemning him, you're pressuring a victim and calling her the source of trouble for the Brown family. I think you're the real parasites of the Brown family!"

Xavier continued angrily, "The Brown family has never been associated with criminals, our reputation is built on values and character! Let me make this clear, anyone who sides with Finnian again, anyone who gives Ophelia a hard time, will be expelled from the Brown family and never acknowledged again!"

Xavier's words completely silenced the room. Octavia and the others turned pale. They didn't dare say another word of complaint, only keeping their heads down, not even daring to breathe loudly.

"Everyone leave!" Xavier waved his hand, his tone brooking no argument. "Stop gathering together to gossip all the time. Do something useful instead of embarrassing the Brown family!"

As if granted amnesty, everyone kept their heads down and hurriedly left the hall. When Octavia left, she didn't even dare look back.

The hall finally quieted down. Ophelia looked at Xavier, warmth filling her heart: "Grandpa, thank you."

"No need to be so formal with Grandpa." Xavier smiled, his eyes full of affection. But just as he finished speaking, his face suddenly turned white, his body swayed, and his grip on the cane loosened.

"Grandpa!" William quickly steadied the wheelchair armrest, his voice instantly tense. "Are you okay?"

Ophelia also rushed forward. When her fingers touched Xavier's hand, it was frighteningly cold: "Grandpa, are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine, just got a bit angry earlier. I'll be okay in a moment." Xavier waved his hand but instantly started coughing, his breathing became labored.

William didn't dare take any chances. He immediately picked up Ophelia, signaled Luca to push the wheelchair steadily, and strode toward the elevator: "Let's go back to the room first. I'll get a doctor."

Ophelia leaned in William's arms, looking at Xavier's pale face, her heart full of guilt: "It's all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on coming down, you wouldn't have had to go through this."

"It has nothing to do with you." Xavier closed his eyes and caught his breath. "These people are just too outrageous, using family ties as an excuse for personal gain. I've wanted to put them in their place for a long time."

Back in the hospital room, the doctor arrived quickly. After checking blood pressure and heart rate, he finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Xavier is fine. He’s just recovering and still a bit weak, and the anger made his blood pressure spike. Just rest well and don't get upset again."

After the doctor left, Luca poured Xavier a glass of warm water. William helped Ophelia sit by the bed, and they both stared at Xavier, their eyes full of concern.

"With those expressions, you're making it look like I'm about to die." Xavier took a sip of water, his complexion improving somewhat, and couldn't help joking. "I've lived this long - I can handle this little bit of anger."

He put down the glass, his expression growing serious: "Do you really think Octavia came to seek justice for Finnian?"

William and Ophelia exchanged glances. Ophelia spoke first: "Grandpa, you mean there's another reason behind this?"

"Of course." Xavier tapped his cane. "Octavia has always been shallow and never does anything without benefit. Those relatives are all shrewd people who usually avoid being associated with Finnian. Now they're suddenly gathering together to cry injustice for him - there's definitely something fishy going on."