CHAPTER 395
Grayson stayed silent as he thought of how it was like a public social execution for Sebastian to ask him in front of so many others. Breaking out in a cold sweat, he said, "Sebastian, I wasn't thinking straight when I said that. I just said it in passing…"
"I'll give you the time to slowly think of a response. Tell me when you're done thinking." Sebastian looked at him with a faint elegant smile.
Although Sebastian's expression wasn't scary, Grayson's cold sweat seemed to have worsened as he looked at him. In truth, he wasn't all that worried about himself, as he wouldn't mind such humiliation even in front of others. Since he grew up together with Andrew and the others, he knew them well to the extent that he even knew where each of their birthmarks was on their bodies. Hence, he had nothing to hide from them, so he wouldn't be embarrassed even if Sebastian were to publicly reprimand him in front of them. In fact, he was more concerned about Ann's state of mind.
As the Hart Family severing ties with Ann was not a public matter, Grayson felt that Sebastian wouldn't have said anything about it to the others here. However, they were all present. That meant that Sebastian was putting him on the spot by asking about his stance, as doing so would inevitably let the others know how much Sebastian disliked Ann and that the Hart Family had severed ties with her. However, there was a question floating in his mind: Why did Sebastian break off his relationship with Ann?
Among the people who had grown up together with Sebastian, there weren't any secrets between them, provided it wasn't a family secret. It was inevitable that they would come to know of the fact that Ann had drugged Sebastian. It's not really an honorable thing to do… No, I should say that it's something despicable, Grayson thought. Once the others knew of what Ann had done, he was afraid that she wouldn't be able to hold her head up high in front of them in the future. T-Then, how am I
supposed to marry her? Once they knew about Ann's deeds of drugging Sebastian, they would think Grayson was out of his mind if he went ahead and married her anyway. The more he thought about it, the more upset he felt as his cold sweat continued to worsen.
Without rushing him, Sebastian fed Joel a piece of dessert that he had the manager personally bring over. "Buddy, do you want this?"
"Yes!" Joel became happier upon seeing the food. He then opened his mouth wide and devoured the piece of dessert Sebastian fed him.
Sebastian then took another piece and continued feeding the child. Content is property © .
The others in the room weren't idling about as well. Since the manager was competent in his job, he had served them several dishes in no time at all. Some of them ate, some of them drank, and some of them chatted. Although they were all busy with their respective careers, they would get together every now and then. However, sometimes, some of them might be on a business trip or might be too busy to make it to the gathering, so it was no easy task for all of them to actually be present, which was why they were busy talking to each other at the moment.
Soon, ten minutes passed. Sebastian looked at Grayson and asked, "Still not done?"
"… I'm done thinking," said Grayson.
After Sebastian fed Joel another piece of fruit, he methodically wiped his fingers with wet wipes. "If so, do tell us your thoughts."
Grayson could only be candid at this point. "That was not done in a fit of anger. I know you are serious, Sebastian."
"Very good," Sebastian said while nodding. "Since you do know that I was serious, why did you lie to Madeline? What did you say to her again? That Ann is still part of the family in the end? Do you still think that to be true?"
"Not anymore…" Although Grayson wasn't afraid to lose his reputation in front of the others, being questioned by Sebastian as though he was a child made him upset. Hoping that this public act of humiliation would be over soon, he said quickly, "Sebastian, I was wrong. It was just a slip of the tongue. I hope you and Madeline will forgive me."
"Alright, I forgive you. You are my brother after all. It was just a slip of the tongue. Since you already seem to feel sorry, I won't push this matter anymore. However…" Looking at Grayson, Sebastian said slowly, "Ann had scolded your nephew and had even raised her hands to him. What do you think about that?"
Grayson was at a loss for words, as he knew it was a loaded question. If he answered that he thought nothing of it, it would seem that he failed as an uncle. On the other hand, if he answered that Ann was wrong for doing so, his brother would no doubt follow up by asking him what should be done. He was truly stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Noticing the situation gradually taking a turn for the worse, Ann stood up and said in tears, "Sebastian, my cousin. I understand now; I was at fault. I only got angry and lost control of myself because he pointed at me and said that I was a bad person. Please forgive me, Sebastian! I won't do something like this ever again!"
Sebastian said indifferently, "I am no longer your cousin. Seeing that you are a woman, I'll only give you one last chance. If there is a next time…" Then, he turned his gaze to Quinton.
"Understood! If there's a next time, I will give her a big slap without waiting for your instructions," Quinton said.
Ann's face grew paler at Quinton's words.
Nonetheless, Quinton smiled mischievously at Ann and said, "Miss Evans, since I've already said that much, I hope you will pay attention to what you say in the future. I don't want to hit a woman, so please don't force my hand."
Filled with hatred to the brim, Ann's heart was broken into a million pieces. It felt as though someone had yanked her heart out of her and smashed it into a pulp. Why must I be treated this way? I'm the cousin of the Hart Family! Indeed, she was young, beautiful, educated, and elegant. Not only that, but she had a good figure and was cultured as well. With all these good points, she couldn't help but think, Why do they all not like me and must humiliate me this way?
On the other hand, she thought of how Madeline was a servant for twenty-odd years. She thought of Sebastian as someone blind, as he took someone who was of lowly background and had the stench of poverty on her as his wife. Is it because of how she gave birth to two b*stard children? Who doesn't know how to do it? If given the chance, I can do it as well! Stewed in shame, anger, and reluctance, she was beyond upset and felt that such humiliation was worse than death.
Looking at her ashamed and angry with tears running down her cheeks, Grayson was upset as well. He couldn't understand how Sebastian could treat his brothers so well, but treated Ann so harshly. He knew that her personality was slightly on the arrogant side when she was in public, but she was always
considerate and gentle whenever she was with the brothers.
He still remembered that she was there for him when he was very sick as a child. He remembered how she would peel fruits for him to eat, and how she would tell him stories back then. Although these were all in the past, just the thought of these memories warmed his heart.
Seeing how embarrassed Ann appeared to be, Grayson was so upset that he couldn't help but defend her. "Sebastian, Ann only said those things on an impulse. I know she didn't mean any of it. Can you please forgive her?"
"Forgive her?" Sebastian looked at Grayson and continued, "I'm willing to forgive you because you are my brother. However, I no longer have any relations with that woman, so why should I forgive her?"
"Because she's…" Grayson's voice gradually softened as he continued, "Mrs. Emma's daughter."
Sebastian uttered flatly, "Don't you know that woman you call Mrs. Emma was involved in her scheme against me as well? Or did you think that I should just let them do whatever they want with me? And that I should forgive them and repay their grievances with benevolences even if they had joined hands in setting me up?"