Hannah bit her lip in grievance, her eyes reddening as tears streamed down her face. "Daddy, someone set me up! Otherwise... how could I end up in Brandon’s bed? Boohoo..."
Brandon nearly gagged at Hannah’s melodramatic display but knew the priority was to apologize to Ella.
"Ella, I’m sorry... I’ve disgraced you. Please, forgive me. I’ll make it up to you, I promise," Brandon stammered, tears in his eyes, as he knelt before Ella.
Chloe scoffed, her tone icy. "Brandon, you wretched man, how dare you beg our Ella for forgiveness? Get lost!"
"Ella... Ella... please don’t abandon me," Brandon’s mind was in turmoil. He genuinely liked Ella and wanted to be with her, but now...
"Brandon! You just slept with me and now you’re begging her for forgiveness? Pathetic!" Hannah’s chest heaved with anger, furious that Brandon had suggested breaking up with her.
"Hannah, shut up! Look at you, where’s your dignity as a lady?" Robert snapped, striding over and slapping Hannah across the face.
Though Eric wasn’t fond of Hannah, she had still brought shame upon them in front of their esteemed guests, fueling Robert’s rage.
Hannah clutched her swollen cheek, glaring at Ella with resentment.
Brianna quickly pulled Hannah aside. "Stop talking!"
She was desperate. She had intended for the servant to drug Ella and Brandon, but somehow it had backfired onto Hannah.
Brandon, looking into Ella’s cold eyes, pleaded incessantly, "Ella, please forgive me..."
He had overheard the mother and daughter’s conversation. It was Brianna who had drugged his drink, intending for Ella and him to end up in bed. But Hannah had gotten there first.
He loathed Brianna and Hannah for their deceit. No matter his humble origins, he wouldn’t allow such exploitation.
"Brandon, I’ve only been your girlfriend for an hour, and you’ve already slept with my sister... No one would accept such a boyfriend. From now on, we have no ties. Don’t contact me again," Ella said, her voice pained. She breathed heavily. "Daddy, throw him out!"
Robert was secretly pleased; with Ella and Brandon breaking up, there was hope for Eric and his daughter.
"Brandon, leave Ella alone!" Robert commanded coldly, but Brandon clung to Ella’s hand.
Ella, overwhelmed with disgust, forced out a few tears. "Let go, Brandon! You’ve disappointed me."
Following Robert’s orders, two bodyguards rushed in to drag the reluctant Brandon away.
"Ella! I genuinely care for you... Don’t do this. I was wrong, I was tempted by your sister! They used me to get to you, but my feelings are true..."
Brandon’s voice faded as he was pulled away.
Ella turned a cold gaze to Brianna. "Mom, what did Brandon mean by that?"
Brianna, ever the actress, shook her head sorrowfully. "Ella, would you trust an outsider over your own mother? Brandon is just lashing out at your sister."
Hannah, struggling to contain her fury, let her tears fall. Eric, witnessing the disgraceful scene, found her even less appealing.
Ella slowly turned her gaze to Hannah. "Hannah, I treated you so well... yet you seduced my boyfriend. You really can’t judge a book by its cover. You’ve disappointed me so much!"
Choking up, Ella’s words sent Hannah into a frenzy. Pointing at her, Hannah screamed, "Ella, you wretch! It was you who drugged us, making us look foolish. Daddy, she set me up, boohoo..."
Ella let out a sorrowful laugh. "Daddy, she’s slandering me again. She hit me at my coming-of-age party, and I didn’t hold it against her. Mommy bought an expensive crown and tried to frame me, but I didn’t care. But this time, I can’t let it slide. Daddy, check with the servants and find the traitor."
Ella’s words sent a chill down Brianna’s spine. She forced a smile. "How could there be someone drugging anyone? Hannah is just too fond of Brandon and did something impulsive. I apologize on her behalf, Ella."
Brianna was terrified of Robert investigating further because it was she who had ordered the servant to spike Brandon’s drink. Perhaps Ella had been cautious and switched drinks with Hannah, avoiding the drugged beverage.
"Ella, Hannah wronged you, but maybe it’s for the best. Brandon isn’t good enough for you. Mr. Nelson likes you; you should seize the opportunity!"
Robert glanced at Brianna, not fooled by her act.
Yet, he decided not to pursue it further, considering Brianna had given him a son.
Kevin had already left for the estate with Grandma Davis. She had fainted and insisted on returning home immediately after regaining consciousness. The previous incident with the receipt had already made her detest Hannah, and this only worsened her feelings.
"Daddy," Ella spoke softly, "I wasn’t that fond of Brandon. I was just moved by his painting and acted impulsively. You’re right, I’ll work hard to win Mr. Nelson over."
Robert beamed with pride. "Good, good! Ella, you always make the Davis family proud. You must be tired, go rest in your room."
Ella knew Robert was about to confront Hannah.
"Yes, Daddy," she replied, rising with a forlorn expression. Chloe followed her out.
"Hannah, explain yourself," Robert demanded sternly.
Hannah fought back tears as Brianna coughed lightly. "Dear, Hannah has always admired Brandon. She was overwhelmed today, seeing her long-time crush propose to her sister. How could she stay calm?"
"Brianna! Discipline your daughter properly! She’s grounded for a month. She’s brought nothing but shame to our family," Robert snapped before storming out.
Brianna watched her husband’s retreating figure, feeling a deep sense of grievance. Robert hadn’t been home at night recently, and Assistant Lee’s photos confirmed he was staying at the company dorms.
The once sweet love and harmonious life seemed to have vanished.
"Apparently... Assistant Lee is unreliable. I should secretly hire a private investigator," Brianna thought, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Upstairs, Ella dialed Eric’s number.
But each time, she was met with the message that he was unavailable to take her call...
Ella dejectedly tossed her phone aside. "It seems... he’s really mad at me."