Chapter 446
The commotion had already drawn the attention of several guests in the grand hall, and Rowan’s voice, pitched just right, carried easily to the onlookers. His words landed like a bombshell. So, the notoriously arrogant young lady of the house wasn’t a Wilkinson by blood at all.
From a distance, Rex, who had been enjoying the show, shrugged with feigned reluctance when guests turned to him for confirmation. “Sorry,” he said smoothly, “my father has forbidden us from discussing where she was adopted.” It was a masterful non-denial, effectively confirming everything Rowan had said without giving Maya or Tristan a chance to react. He had long grown tired of having a foolish, adopted sister. Rowan’s timing was perfect, a welcome gift.
Beside him, Jesse raised an eyebrow. “You’re not worried Dad will come after you p>
“Why would he?” Rex said, feigning indifference and nodding toward the confrontation. “Rowan’s the one who aired Maya’s dirty laundry. Let him deal with Rowan.” It had nothing to do with him. He couldn’t control what other people thought, and he hadn’t technically admitted to anything.
Maya was stunned. She never imagined Rowan would show up, let alone humiliate her so thoroughly just to defend Elissa. It was a public slap in the face.
Tristan frowned and quickly tried to deny it. “Rowan, you must have heard some vicious rumors. Maya is Suzanne’s and my biological daughter He had promised to take care of Maya, and in the eyes of society, an adopted daughter was worlds apart from a biological one.
“Is she?” Rowan, however, was clearly provoked and had no intention of backing down. His voice was sharp. “Then the difference in character between Ms. Maya and her three siblings is rather vast. A genetic mutation, perhaps p>
Maya had attacked Elissa’s upbringing; Rowan went straight for Maya’s character. Many of the guests who had dealt with Maya before found themselves silently agreeing. Her arrogance was well-known, a stark contrast to the low-key demeanor of Laurel, Jesse, and Rex. They truly didn’t seem like siblings.
Feeling the weight of the guests’ curious stares, Maya felt a surge of anger and humiliation. She turned to Tristan, her voice pleading. “Dad! she cried. “Elissa hit her first! I was just trying to stand up for Vera, who just came home and was being bullied Then, she looked at Rowan with a hint of flirtatious rebuke. Mr. Murphy, must you be so aggressive without knowing all the facts p>
“Aggressive?” Rowan was immune to her act. “My aggression is nothing compared to your bullying, Ms.
Maya.” He stretched out his arm net
draping it loosely over Elissa’s, shoulder and pulling her closer. “The next time someone speaks to you like that,” he said, his voice low but firm, “I don’t care who it is. You slap them twice p>
Elissa was shocked. She couldn’t believe he would so openly disrespect the Wilkinson family for her sake. It felt like a scene from their childhood. He had always
stood up for her, making sure no one could bully her.
He was a skilled fighter, but the first
time he’d ever been truly hurt was for her. They had been fourteen ore fifteen, that tender age of first crushes. The school bully had been relentlessly bothering her, and Rowan had caught him one day. Without a second thought, he’d dragged the boy into an alley and beat him senseless. When Rowan emerged, blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth.