Chapter 122
"You're lying!" Briar shouted emotionally.
Everyone's eyes turned toward her in unison.
At this point, who didn't understand?
A mere servant would never dare do such a thing, no matter how bold.
Evelyn's lashes fluttered lightly.
Her eyes reddened, her voice carrying just the right amount of grievance and confusion. "Grandma always said the Seymour family and Gray family were old friends..."
"Miss Seymour, why would you do this? Did I do something wrong to upset you?"
As her words fell, two teardrops slid down her cheeks.
Now everyone from the Seymour family was on edge.
Before they could speak, Evelyn turned to Flora first, her voice choked with emotion. "Mrs. Seymour, since Miss Seymour doesn't welcome me, I should leave early. I'll take my leave now. When Grandma arrives, we'll make a special visit to see you..."
She covered her face and turned toward the other side of the deck.
"Stop pretending!" Briar's face flushed red as she cursed.
Evelyn paid her no attention, leaving the yacht without looking back.
Elowen stood frozen in place, her mind taking several turns before she understood.
What Briar had told her earlier was probably all fabricated!
She didn't truly care about Zeal—she'd just wanted to use Elowen to sabotage Adam.
Both shocked and ashamed, Elowen hurried after Evelyn off the yacht. "Adam, we just exchanged contact information. We haven't really chatted yet."
She caught up with Evelyn, breathing heavily. "If you're available, shall we have dinner together this weekend? I really do like you..."
She saw Evelyn's bare shoulders and immediately removed her own jacket, gently draping it over Evelyn's shoulders. "The sea breeze is strong. Don't catch cold."
Evelyn instinctively wanted to refuse, but Elowen pressed her hand down. "Just wear it. It would be terrible if you got sick."
"...Thank you." Evelyn paused slightly, her tone softening. "But I have meetings this weekend, so I can't make dinner. I'm sorry."
Elowen didn't insist, smiling as she watched her get in the car and drive away.
With contact information, everything would work out.
The jacket she'd given Evelyn was one Zeal had bought for her.
Later, she could find an excuse to get them to meet—wouldn't that be perfect?
In the banquet hall, the atmosphere hadn't eased with Evelyn's departure.
Unable to bear the stares any longer, Briar broke down shouting. "You're all being deceived by that woman! She got her projects through sexual transactions! She even has illegitimate children!"
A sharp crack rang out.
Briar covered her face, looking at Jasper in disbelief.
"You disgrace!" Jasper was so angry his beard trembled, his finger pointing at her, his voice shaking. "Shut your mouth! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Jasper was a dignified man who'd never lost composure in public.
But now, with his granddaughter speaking such vulgar words in front of a hall full of guests, he felt his face completely lost.
Flora felt sorry for her granddaughter and quickly grabbed Jasper's hand.
Briar covered her face, tears streaming out. "Grandma, she mocked me first. I was angry, so I..."
"Stop talking!" Flora feared she'd say something even more outrageous and quickly pulled her aside.
"Apologies for the spectacle, everyone. Truly sorry." Jasper's face burned with shame as he bowed apologetically to the crowd.
Everyone waved it off saying it was nothing, but the looks in their eyes told another story.
Sympathy, contempt, schadenfreude—everything was there.
Only Matthew hadn't moved.
He stood in the center of the crowd with a cold expression.
"I think her mental state is somewhat abnormal." His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "I have an excellent hospital. You should send her for treatment."
Willard looked at him in shock. "Matthew, my sister is just a bit willful..."
"I'll say it once more." Matthew interrupted, his gaze icy. "If she's sick, send her for treatment. If you won't do it, I don't mind doing it for you."
The banquet hall fell silent.
Matthew's decisiveness was well known. He meant what he said and left no room for negotiation.
But why was he so determined to go after Briar?
Willard stiffened his neck, still wanting to argue. "Matthew, Briar is my sister after all..."
"Is one day enough time for you to handle this?" Matthew didn't let him finish.
That tone wasn't a discussion—it was an ultimatum.
Willard swallowed with difficulty. "Enough... it's enough."
"To prevent unprofessional treatment, I'll provide you with a list of appropriate hospitals."
"Thank... thank you." Willard was completely numb.
"No need to thank me. It's only right." Matthew paused, then added, "By the way, I'll redraft our collaboration contract with triple the fees."
At this point, what wasn't clear? Willard smiled bitterly, unable to say a word.
Seeing the atmosphere turn sour, guests made their excuses and dispersed.
Matthew left too, leaving only the Seymour family.
Willard watched Matthew's retreating figure, murmuring, "Why would he do this? Could it be for Adam?"
He replayed everything that had happened today in his mind.
Matthew had been uninterested until he saw Adam on the deck, then hurried down.
Later, he'd saved Adam from crashing into the cake.
He wanted to punish Briar—wasn't that to vindicate Adam?
Willard sighed, feeling overwhelmed.
The entire Seymour family gathered together, faces grave.
"Why would Matthew get involved?" Jasper looked puzzled.
Willard's wife spoke softly. "Of course, it's because Adam looks just like Matthew's old flame."
She pulled up a video on her phone and passed it over. "This is a compilation video that fans of Matthew and Evelyn made online."
"Look at this Evelyn—doesn't she look exactly like Adam?"
The Seymour family crowded around to watch the video, breaking out in cold sweat.
They'd heard rumors about Matthew's obsession with his old love before but had dismissed them as gossip.
They never imagined he was truly this mad.
"What do we do now?" An elderly Seymour family member asked anxiously.
"Our family has already declined in business. If the Gray family weren't maintaining ties out of old friendship, where would we have any income?"
"With one move, Briar has offended both the Gray and Perkins families. How can the Seymour family withstand that?"
"Jasper, you can't be confused! Just hand over Briar!"
"Exactly, we can't afford to offend either family!"
"Enough!" Flora shouted.
She was deeply worried too.
Forget how crazy Matthew was—even Susan was a ruthless character.
Who didn't know how much Susan treasured this granddaughter?
If Susan learned her granddaughter had been wronged at tonight's party and the Seymour family did nothing, how would she retaliate?
Everyone present fell silent.
Flora turned, looking at Jasper with some heaviness.
"Jasper, what do you think... how should we deal with Briar?"