Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Trial
Zhong Mengfan stood in the center of the living room, much like a criminal awaiting trial, awkwardly stationary. She felt her entire being haze over, her back completely drenched in cold sweat. Even her forehead began to bead with perspiration.
Zhong Minghao watched coldly, devoid of any sympathy or pity even for his own daughter.
On the other hand, Zheng Silin looked at Zhong Mengfan worriedly, fearing she might not endure. But in a situation like today, it was inappropriate for her to speak up. Because it wasn’t just her daughter, she was clearly aware, she and her husband were also on trial today.
“Speak up!” Old Sir Zhong raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as he looked at Zhong Mengfan, “What exactly have you done? Why would you harm your Second Aunt?”
“I didn’t mean to,”
Confronted with Old Sir Zhong’s sharp gaze, Zhong Mengfan couldn’t help but feel frightened, she shrank back slightly, then quickly began to defend herself, “No, I didn’t, I never thought of harming Second Aunt. I was just—”
...
“At this point, you still refuse to repent.” Zhong Mingyu interrupted her, “Your Second Aunt is still lying in the hospital, and you still say you never thought of harming her.”
“Just now, didn’t you already admit that you were the one who did this? Are you treating us like fools now?”
“No, Second Uncle, I didn’t.” Zhong Mengfan waved her hands as she struggled to defend herself, “I really didn’t mean it, I just wanted to play a joke on Zhong Niangyao. I never intended to harm Second Aunt, it was all an accident.”
“An accident?” Zhong Mingyu, who had been holding back his anger, spoke up directly, “You still have the audacity to say that? I think it was intentional, you wanted to kill my son.”
During his speech, he glanced toward Zhong Minghao and Zheng Silin, “Did you do this on a whim, or were you instigated by someone?”
With these almost explicit words, everyone present understood the implication.
Zhong Minghao’s expression instantly darkened as he quickly glanced at his parents.
What Zhong Mingyu thought, he didn’t care at all; he cared only about his parents’ thoughts. The family power still lay in his father’s hands. If his father concluded that he was behind this, then the future of their branch would be worrisome.
However, there was no change in the expressions of Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong; it was unclear if they hadn’t taken in the words or simply chose not to show their feelings.
Zhong Minghao felt trepidation start to gnaw at him.
“No one instigated me, it was my own decision.” Zhong Mengfan nearly burst into tears, waving her hands, continuing in a tearful voice, “Second Uncle, I really never intended to harm Second Aunt. It was just because of a small dispute I had with Zhong Niangyao earlier, so I wanted to prank her. I truly didn’t mean to harm Second Aunt.”
Regardless of her initial thoughts, it didn’t matter now. She could only insist that Zhong Niangyao was the intended target.
Conflict between sisters was one thing, but harming Second Aunt meant attacking a family member. She knew well which was more severe.
“You—” Zhong Mingyu’s gaze toward Zhong Mengfan was filled with visible anger, “Since you’ve admitted it already, then go to the police station by yourself tomorrow and make your defense!”
He absolutely wouldn’t believe that this incident was unrelated to his brother and sister-in-law. Since Zhong Mengfan insisted on protecting her parents, he surely wouldn’t show any mercy.
“Second Uncle, please don’t!”
Hearing that she was about to be taken to the police station, Zhong Mengfan truly panicked. Tears and snot ran down her face, her entire appearance disheveled as she continued to plead her innocence.
“Just let me be! I’ll do anything you ask, just don’t call the police! I don’t want to go to jail.”
Zhong Mingyu’s face was livid, and he didn’t respond verbally.
In the entire hall, only the sounds of Zhong Mengfan’s crying could be heard, which was particularly annoying.
“Shut up!” Old Sir Zhong barked, “Zhong Mengfan, if you keep crying here, I’ll send you in right now.”
Upon hearing these words from Old Sir Zhong, Zhong Mengfan was scared but dared not cry any longer.
“Big brother, sister-in-law, aren’t you going to say something?” Zhong Mingyu looked toward Zhong Mingxin with a meaningful tone, “Meng Fan is your daughter, and she almost harmed my child. As parents, don’t you feel sorry?”
“Second brother, it’s my failure in teaching my daughter.” Zhong Minghao quickly spoke up, “Whatever decision you make, I won’t object.”
Now, with things having escalated to this point, anything he said would be wrong.
Zheng Silin was a bit anxious, she couldn’t help but reach out and tug at Zhong Minghao’s sleeve, seemingly wanting to say something. But under the gaze from Zhong Minghao, she eventually didn’t speak.
“Hmph, sounds nicer than it is sung,” Zhong Mingyu scoffed, then turned to Zhong Mengfan, continuing coldly, “Meng Fan, since your dad has no objections, don’t blame me, your Second Uncle, for being ruthless. If you really end up in jail, it’ll be your own doing.”
Hearing about going to jail, Zhong Mengfan became desperate; she looked at her parents, crying and begging, “Dad, Mom, please save me, I don’t want to go to jail, I really don’t want to.”
Zhong Minghao didn’t even glance at her.
Zheng Silin naturally felt distressed, but she couldn’t speak.
Seeing that her parents were ignoring her, Zhong Mengfan quickly approached Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong, kneeling down in front of them, “Grandpa, Grandma, please plead for me! If Second Uncle really calls the police, my life will be ruined.”
Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong exchanged looks, both feeling somewhat heartbroken.
Although in their hearts, Zhong Niangyao was the dearest, Zhong Mengfan was also their granddaughter—how could they not have feelings for her! Seeing Zhong Mengfan cry so pitifully, they did feel compassion. However—
They glanced at Zhong Mingyu, who was watching coldly, and sighed deeply.
After all, this incident did involve their second son and his unborn grandson. This might be his only son in his lifetime.