Chapter 248

Chapter 248

The banquet quickly returned to its peaceful atmosphere.

Orion led Abigail around, introducing her to every guest present.

Although everyone had heard the recording, seeing Orion's attitude toward Abigail made his intentions crystal clear. They all acted as if nothing had happened, greeting Abigail with warm smiles.

Listening to their flattery, Abigail's face lit up with a brilliant smile.

In the corner.

Anna stood beside Edith, watching Abigail's smug expression. She couldn't help grinding her teeth.

"I thought when Mr. Hughes said all that earlier, he really wasn't going to interfere in your business with the Langley family. Turns out, he's still going to protect his own daughter."

Edith's lips curved slightly. "It's already good enough that he's not taking the Langley family's side."

For her, nothing mattered more than finding out who killed Dione.

When Dione died, Abigail was just a child—she probably wouldn't know anything.

The killer had to be one of those Langley family members from earlier.

"Let's go." Edith pulled herself from her thoughts and turned to Anna.

She'd come here today to make that recording do its job. Now that she'd achieved her goal, there was no reason to stay.

Anna was still fuming inside, but she didn't say anything more.

This was the Hughes family's territory, after all. After the scene they'd just caused, the fact that Orion hadn't thrown them out was already pretty generous.

"Wait for me—I need to use the restroom," she said.

Edith agreed and went to wait for her on the terrace.

From a distance, Abigail spotted her figure. A cold gleam flashed in her eyes as she released Orion's arm.

"Dad, I'm feeling a bit stuffy. I'm going to get some air."

Orion had already introduced her to everyone, so he nodded his approval.

Abigail headed straight for the terrace where Edith stood.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Edith thought Anna had returned.

She turned around, only to meet Abigail's eyes—full of venom.

The terrace was empty except for the two of them.

Edith's brow furrowed slightly. Without a word, she started walking back inside.

Abigail blocked her path, wearing a gentle smile.

"Edith, why are you in such a hurry to leave? There were so many people earlier—we sisters didn't get a chance to really talk."

As she spoke, she moved closer to Edith.

Edith took half a step back and returned a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm making room for Ms. Hughes."

She tried to walk past Abigail.

As they brushed shoulders, Abigail's voice came right against her ear.

"Edith, you're just as cheap as your mother. Back then, she seduced the man my mother had her eye on. Now you're trying to steal my man. Is this fun for you two?"

"My mom told me everything. If she hadn't been so shameless, she wouldn't have died such an ugly death."

Edith's footsteps stopped abruptly. A cold light flashed in her eyes. "What did you just say?"

Abigail furrowed her brow innocently, as if frightened by Edith's tone. But when she spoke, her words were still vicious.

"I said you and your mother are both sluts. She deserved to die, and you'll be joining her soon enough."

Edith's hand shot up.

"Edith, what are you doing!" Abigail cried out. "I was wrong! Please don't hit me..."

As the words left her mouth, she shoved Edith hard and threw herself sideways off the terrace.

Edith's eyes widened. She rushed to the edge. Abigail was already lying on the ground below, unconscious.

Christopher stood beside her, his brow deeply furrowed. He looked up and met Edith's shocked gaze.

Their eyes locked. Edith instinctively wanted to explain, but Christopher had already looked away. He crouched down to check Abigail's condition.

This scene felt eerily familiar.

Edith's fingers tightened around the railing.

News of Abigail's fall quickly reached Orion's ears, sending shockwaves through the guests.

Soon, a crowd had gathered around Christopher and Abigail.

Orion's face was cold. "Contact the hospital," he told the butler.

Christopher's voice cut in first. "I've already arranged it. The ambulance will be here any minute."

Orion's tone was icy. "So. What happened?"

Abigail had only said she wanted some air on the terrace. How could she just fall?

Christopher stood up. "She fell on her own."

Orion's expression darkened. "You're saying Abby fell from a second-floor terrace for no reason? She was perfectly clear-headed when she left my side."

He scanned the crowd of guests. "Who else was on the terrace just now?"

Christopher frowned, about to speak, when a guest beside Orion said quietly, "I think I saw Ms. Langley go to the terrace."

Displeasure crossed Orion's face. "Where is she?"

"It was just the two of us on the terrace." Edith stepped out from the crowd.

Anna followed close behind, clutching Edith's sleeve with worry.

She hadn't expected that going to the bathroom for just a moment would lead to something like this.

If she'd known, she never would have left Edith alone.

Orion's oppressive gaze fell on Edith.

Edith met his eyes, her tone frank.

"I was with her, but I didn't push her. She really did fall on her own."

Orion stared at her, his gaze heavy.

The ambulance arrived. As Abigail was being lifted onto a stretcher, Orion finally spoke in a low voice.

"Watch her. She doesn't leave the Hughes family until Abby wakes up."

In other words, he'd wait until Abigail woke to settle this.

He was treating her like a criminal.

Edith couldn't help but frown.

The Hughes family's butler approached with several people.

Seeing that they were really going to lock Edith up, Anna panicked.

"On what grounds? What evidence do you have that Edith did it? This is illegal detention!"

"Mr. Hughes, you can't do this! You have no idea what kind of person Abigail really is..."

Before she could finish, Orion's cold gaze landed on her from across the distance.

His presence was overwhelming. Even from far away, Anna felt crushed by the pressure. The words died in her throat. All she could do was look at Edith with worry.

Edith pressed her lips together, watching the Hughes family's people approach. She didn't plan to resist.

Abigail was still unconscious. No matter what she said, Orion wouldn't believe her.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist.

Edith froze. Before she could react, Christopher had pulled her behind him.

"Without evidence, doing this in front of everyone is no different from convicting her on the spot," Christopher said.

He met Orion's authoritative gaze, his voice low and firm.

"Let her go. I'll vouch for her. If Abigail's fall really is connected to her, she'll take responsibility. But if it turns out you've wronged her, I expect you to apologize."

Hearing him demand an apology from Orion, the courtyard erupted in gasps.

Edith stared at his back, something flickering in her eyes.

She hadn't expected Christopher to stand up for her...