"It's here," Shawn pointed at the door of the basement.
Jonathan and the others' faces were dark.
Wynter had truly betrayed them.
"I suppose we need to open the door for us to see who is right among us, Sir Morgrave," Lenon spoke up from behind.
Jonathan gritted his teeth, "What are you still doing? Call for a servant to open this door."
Nora flinched before she hurriedly left to get a servant for the key.
"I will make sure to get back this humiliation," Jonathan glared at Lenon.
Lenon did not respond, it was obvious that Jonathan knew they would reveal a hideous secret today that he opted to warn them instead.
Shawn could feel the air turning cold as the silence lengthened while they waited for the key.
'Someday, this is what I will have to face,' he thought.
As he was focused on his studies, he hardly had the time to encounter these kinds of moments. And his parents were also there to be his shield while his intuition helps him against those who are younger than the veterans of the adult world.
"H- Honey," Nora called when she and a servant arrived.
Jonathan glared at her before turning to the servant.
"Open this door."
There was obvious bitter resignation in his voice as he said this.
Shawn had a sharp intake of breath when he saw her inside.
There was a single bed, but she was instead lying on the floor, obviously battered and weak.
He approached her and carefully checked her breathing.
Seeing as it was shallow.
"Dad," he called to Dominick.
Dominick checked on her. Upon seeing that there were no broken bones, he carried her.
"We have to go," he said to his son.
Sabrina felt like cold water was poured on her upon seeing Wynter's condition once her husband and son stepped out of the room.
She could only think of a few words, 'How cruel.'
Tiffany looked inside.
There was only a bed and a tiny window for ventilation.
Adding to Wynter's current condition.
She couldn't help but grit her teeth and turn to Minerva, who was glaring daggers at her unconscious daughter.
*SLAP*
Before anyone could react, Tiffany's palm strongly landed on Minerva's cheek.
"You are not worthy to be called a mother," she said in gritted teeth.
Her face was cold, and her eyes were filled with fury.
Tiffany was a cool and gentle actress during her time of being active.
Not one has seen this kind of look on her.
Not even Minerva had seen it that she was completely taken aback, and her mind was blank after receiving the slap.
It took a few seconds before the rest reacted.
"How dare you!" Charlie angrily pulled Minerva behind him while glaring at Tiffany.
Lenon stood beside Tiffany, showing his support for what Tiffany had just done.
"What kind of disrespect is this!!!" Jonathan roared.
"Disrespect? What kind of abuse is this then?!?!" Tiffany fought back without fear.
Jonathan was about to retort but Tiffany went ahead and spoke again.
"You can go and sue us or call for the reporters or whoever, let's see whose place be the reporters' field trip at," Tiffany angrily said without fear.
Minerva suddenly started laughing.
"You don't even know how hideous that wench is!"
"How can you call your own daughter a wench!!" Tiffany was even more in disbelief.
Minerva continued laughing, "Daughter? I'd never call a murderer my daughter."
"MINERVA!!" Jonathan shouted.
Even though it was Wynter they were talking about. It was still about the family, how can this woman air out their dirty laundry when one was already being aired?
And even if it's the truth, they can't bring it out in such a way.
Minerva trembled at Jonathan's glare.
Shawn glanced at them before going ahead with his father.
Though the question, 'What do they mean?' kept playing in his mind.
"We have to go, Tiff."
Lenon gently said before holding Tiffany's hand.
"I am telling you, Ashcroft. I will get you back for this humiliation," Jonathan warned again.
"…"
Once again, Lenon did not reply.
"Wh- What should we do?" Minerva asked Charlie.
"You will stay in your room. I will have you under house arrest. What do you think you just did?" Jonathan said to her.
"Father… I was… I lost my mind for a moment… I…"
"Enough. Return to your room," Jonathan coldly said.
"As for you, follow me to the study. Wynter has a lot of things lined up, but because of this trick of hers, we have to come up with other plans," he then said to Charlie.
"Charlie," Minerva whispered to Charlie.
"Don't worry, I will get her back. Stay in the house for now. Let us not anger Father any more than he already is. His anger should be focused on Ashcroft and Lockhart."
"But that wench…" Minerva gritted her teeth.
She was completely disoriented at the sudden turn of events.
"Don't worry, I can tell that Father will task Mathew to return. If Wynter's stubbornness exceeds our expectations, Mathew will surely be the one to bring her back. And once she's back, she must forget having even her own thoughts," Charlie said grimly.
He then gently held her cheek, which Tiffany slapped.
"Have the servants prepare some medication for your cheek. Once everything calms down, I will make sure that she pays for what she did."
Minerva sniffed, her eyes red. She felt indignant about how things unfolded tonight.
"You have to make sure that she will pay for this."
Charlie smiled lovingly before kissing her on the forehead.
Minerva returned to her room and angrily sat down on their bed.
She will not accept this, 'It's you again, Tiffany. I will make sure that you suffer for this. You of all people, slapping me for that wench. I will never accept this.'