"Dad, Mom, how can you side with that woman?!"
Leticia stomped her foot in frustration.
Mr. and Mrs. Walsh's faces turned grim.
"Shut up!"
Ernest scolded, his voice stern. "Don't take everyone for a fool."
Hassan observed coldly, "Uncle, you're much more reasonable than your daughter. How do you plan to handle this matter?"
"What do you suggest?" Ernest countered, turning to Hassan.
Hassan remained silent, frowning in thought. He hadn't considered this question and was surprised his uncle asked for his input.
The atmosphere in the living room grew tense.
Leticia was terrified. If her father handed her over to Hassan, he would not let her off easily. She hadn't even admitted to poisoning her grandfather, yet they were already discussing her punishment.
"Dad, are you crazy? I didn't do it. Why are you letting Hassan punish me?"
"You know whether you did it or not."
Ernest's voice was steady, but his gaze at Leticia was filled with disappointment.
Leticia, focused on clearing her name, didn't notice. Seeing her father side with Hassan felt like a betrayal. She was furious. "I told you, I didn't do it. Why won't you believe me?"
Ernest's brow furrowed deeply.
Before he could respond, Leticia's angry voice rang out again.
"I see it now. This family has no place for me. Ever since my cousin arrived, you've favored him over me. I've never complained, but now he's framing me, and you, my own father, don't believe me. Instead, you trust an outsider and want him to punish your daughter. You're a great father!"
Leticia's tearful accusation made her seem deeply wronged.
She wiped her tears away forcefully, showing a determined expression. "If this family has no place for me, I won't stay. You can live happily with my dear cousin!"
With that, she turned to run out.
Hassan reacted quickly, instructing the bodyguards, "Stop her."
The bodyguards obeyed and intercepted Leticia within a few steps.
Leticia was furious.
She had found a way to escape unscathed, but now it was ruined.
"Move! Get out of my way!"
But no matter how she yelled, the bodyguards didn't budge.
Out of options, she turned to Hassan with red eyes and shouted, "Hassan, tell your men to get lost! I'm leaving this house to you!"
"Leticia, have you had enough?"
Ernest could no longer contain his anger and shouted.
His fierce gaze left Leticia stunned and frozen in place.
As the tension peaked, Old Walsh's weak voice came from upstairs.
"What are you all arguing about so early in the morning?"
Old Walsh stood at the second-floor railing with the butler's support.
His gaze swept over everyone before he called out, "Hassan, explain what's going on."
"Yes."
Hassan stepped forward and explained, "I've been investigating your poisoning these past few days and found that a servant poisoned you under my cousin's orders."
"It wasn't me! You bribed our servant to frame me!"
Leticia immediately retorted loudly.
Hassan was infuriated by her denial and attempt to blame him. "Leticia, use your brain. If I wanted to frame you, would I use such a crude method?"
"I don't know if you would, but I didn't poison Grandpa. You won't pin this on me."
Leticia was determined to clear herself.
Old Walsh, annoyed by their bickering, shouted, "Enough! Be quiet."
At his command, Leticia and Hassan fell silent.
But Leticia couldn't help but plead, "Grandpa, believe me. I didn't poison you. It's my cousin framing me!"
"Shut up! Aren't you ashamed enough?" Old Walsh scolded again.
His gaze at Leticia was dark and piercing.
Seeing it, Leticia fell silent in fear.
Hassan seized the moment and asked Old Walsh, "Grandpa, how do you want to handle this?"