Zoe found herself unnerved and unsettled by Jameson’s unwavering confidence. Did he witness the


    altercation? Why else would he defend Alyssa?


    Jameson inched closer to Zoe, his dark eyes unrelentingly fixed on her. She shuddered as he


    questioned, “Did Lyse p you?”


    “I-” Zoe choked.


    “You’re an adult. You should be responsible for what you said. It’ll be toote to regret your actions


    when the facts are out.”


    -A hushed silence fell on the crowd as they anticipated Zoe’s answer.


    The fleeting seconds felt like an eternity.


    Eventually, Zoe sumbed to overwhelming fear, as if she had been held hostage. Never before had


    she felt such dread, not even in the presence of Jasper or Landon. She confessed, “W-When I was


    arguing with Ms. Alyssa, I lost my bnce, hit my face on the door, and fell to the floor…”


    She omitted the part about pping herself. Still, her partial confession was enough to prove Alyssa’s


    innocence and cast doubt on her own credibility.


    “Woah! But did Zoe actually p herself in the face? That was wicked!


    “Don’t you get it? She crumbled under Mr. Jameson’s pressure. Pfft, and to think she yed the victim


    just now.”


    “Tsk tsk. She’s just a youngdy who couldn’t stand the pressure of interrogation. I would have denied


    it. Let him present the evidence!”


    “Are you seriously defending Ms. Zoe? What she did was nder. If


    Jameson effortlessly solved the problem for Alyssa, but she showed no response, not even a hint of


    gratitude.


    On the other hand, Winston looked much relieved and gave Jameson a nod and a rare smile of


    approval.


    Jonah wrapped an arm around Alyssa’s shoulders and addressed Cornelius calmly, “Mr. Cornelius,


    does your granddaughter still insist on a settlement?


    “If you’re not ready to let this go, we can meet at the police station with our attorneys after the event.


    We’ll decide whether to settle this case in private or court.”


    Winston squinted at Jonah while silently apuding his eldest son. He would like to express the same


    sentiment, but it would be unwise for a man of his position to go against Cornelius. As a concerned


    brother, Jonah had every right to speak against Cornelius in that manner.


    Looking bewildered, Penelope hugged Zoe tightly as Cornelius’ expression hardened.


    Jonah smirked. “The Taylors will take responsibility for what we have. done, but we aren’t going to give


    in when we’re framed, especially when it happens to my dear sister.


    “I will look into this matter thoroughly. Mr. Cornelius, I believe you’ll share the same sentiment, given


    your affection for Ms. Zoe.”


    The Harpers found themselves burdened by shame. Jonah, with a few words, forced them into a tight


    spot. What if things escted when they faced off at the police station?


    However, refusal to answer Jonah on the spot would be akin to an admission of guilt. The public would


    assume that Zoe had indeed lieu Aiyoou.


    RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Preston, who had observed the unfolding drama from the sidelines, finally interjected light-heartedly to


    diffuse the tense situation,” Hahaha! This is all a huge misunderstanding! It’s nothing more than a


    banter between twodies that took an unfortunate turn. Haven’t we all been through simr situations


    when we were young?


    “Zoe is a good kid, albeit a tad impulsive and a bit spoiled. When emotions run high, she tends to


    speak without thinking. Sometimes, she’s not even aware of what she just said! Haha!


    “We sincerely apologize for the trouble. Look, we’ve been family friends for many years. Winston, you


    were friends with my brother Bill. Zoe is Bill’s beloved daughter. You know Bill, the apple doesn’t fall far


    from the tree.”


    Preston alleviated Winston’s anger by skillfully handling the situation.