Leticia was taken to the ancestral hall. Seeing the eerie setup and the ancestral tablets on high, she was nearly scared out of her wits.
She struggled to run outside but was stopped by the bodyguards at the door.
"Miss Walsh, Old Walsh said you should kneel here."
"I don't want to stay here. Take me away, take me to see my grandfather. I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong," Leticia pleaded with red eyes.
The bodyguards remained unmoved.
Thus, Leticia was confined in the ancestral hall.
But her ordeal was far from over.
Old Walsh called Ernest and his wife to the study for a private conversation.
In the study, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh sat opposite Old Walsh, their expressions respectful yet tinged with unease.
Old Walsh took note of their expressions.
He lowered his gaze and said directly, "I called you here to discuss Leticia's disposition."
Hearing this, the couple's faces grew serious.
They had long guessed that Father would not let Leticia off easily.
Mrs. Walsh couldn't help but ask cautiously, "Dad, what are your thoughts?"
Old Walsh glanced at her, fully aware of her thoughts, and said bluntly, "This child has grown into a person with a crooked mind. I don't intend to let her stay in the Walsh family any longer!"
"Dad, are you going to drive Leticia away?"
Mr. and Mrs. Walsh were shocked and looked at him in disbelief.
Old Walsh did not deny it. His eyes darkened as he said, "It's not that I want to drive her away, but the Walsh family can no longer accommodate her. Do you think that having her kneel in the ancestral hall will make Mr. Mercer let this slide?"
The couple fell silent.
Indeed, merely kneeling in the ancestral hall could not compare to the harm Deanna had suffered. Lance would never accept it.
At this point, Old Walsh spoke again. "Moreover, after thinking carefully about what you said in the room earlier, it's not impossible. This time we forced Leticia to apologize to Dr. Deanna. Who knows how much she resents me and you? She dared to drug me before; now she even dares to commit murder. What else do you think she wouldn't dare to do?"
He paused for a moment, then added sarcastically, "In short, I don't want to wake up one day and find that I can never wake up again."
Mr. and Mrs. Walsh were visibly affected by his words.
Especially Mrs. Walsh.
No matter what, Leticia was her child whom she had carried for nine months and raised by hand. It was hard for her to give up on her.
She wanted to plead for mercy but was preempted by Ernest.
Ernest wiped his face and said solemnly, "I'll follow Dad's arrangements. Whatever you decide, I'll do."
Old Walsh looked satisfied at this response.
Then he turned his gaze to Mrs. Walsh, naturally noticing the reluctance in her eyes but understanding it as well.
"Cheyanne, I understand that as a mother, you can't bear to see your child leave. But I hope you consider the bigger picture. Keeping Leticia at home will only distort her character further and bring danger to our family. Only by sending her out for some toughening up might we correct her ways. Do you understand what I mean?" he persuaded emotionally.
Mrs. Walsh understood this reasoning. Though reluctant, she nodded tearfully, "I understand. I'll follow Dad's arrangements."
That afternoon, Deanna woke up from a nap to find Hassan visiting.
As soon as he entered, he saw Lance sitting by the bed and nodded slightly in greeting.
Then he turned his gaze to Deanna and noticed the conspicuous marks on her neck. A dark glint flashed in his eyes as he asked with concern, "Miss Jones, are you feeling better?"
"Not bad. What brings Mr. Hassan here?" Deanna asked calmly.
Although she knew Hassan was innocent, he was still part of the Walsh family. After what Leticia had done, she couldn't help but feel wary of anyone from that family.
To be honest, if her health allowed it, she would have left immediately.
Hassan sensed Deanna's change in attitude and smiled bitterly as he explained his purpose. "Grandfather sent me to check on Miss Jones and inform you of some matters. I hope Miss Jones can understand that no matter how excessive my cousin's actions were, she is still part of the Walsh family. Her actions affect the entire family, so we can't send her to the police. We can only send her away."
Hearing this, both Deanna and Lance's expressions darkened.
Lance looked over unkindly and said, "So this is how the Walsh family explains things to me?"
Hassan understood Lance's dissatisfaction with their handling of the situation.
But he remained calm and explained slowly, "Mr. Mercer, please don't rush to conclusions. Listen to me first. From your perspective and Miss Jones', it seems like we're protecting my cousin by sending her away. But that's not the case. My grandfather's intention is that although we're sending her away, she will face due punishment. In a foreign land, my cousin will lose her status as the lady of the Walsh family and become an ordinary person who has to fend for herself. The Walsh family will not give her any privileges. You can supervise this if you wish."