Chapter 785
Adrian still found it hard to believe that Pepper and Gianna would go that far.
In his eyes, Pepper had always been gentle and soft-natured. She could be timid at times, even a little old-fashioned, but she had always seemed kind.
Gianna was different. She had been spoiled too much and could be willful, but he had always thought of her as a harmless girl. Proud, yes. Petty, maybe. Yet never cruel enough to harm someone.
Hiring someone to hurt another person was far beyond what he believed they were capable of.
No, that could not be connected to them.
Gianna was still the Malone family’s eldest daughter in the public eye. Even though she was not his biological child, everyone still treated her as his daughter.
If people learned that she had hired someone to hurt another person, her reputation would be destroyed. Worse, the Malone family would be dragged down with her.
Adrian’s face darkened as he looked at Jonathan and Anneliese.
“Jonathan, words like that can’t be spoken carelessly. If you have proof, show it. If not, don’t accuse people of something so serious.
“Gianna grew up following you all around like a younger sister. Even if she made mistakes, our families still have years of connection between us.
“If you and your wife accuse her and her mother without evidence, you’ll ruin their names completely p>
Anneliese had not spoken yet when Wendy, who was still holding her hand, lost her temper first.
“Mr. Malone, you really haven’t changed at all. Still biased to the point of shamelessness.
“Your precious adopted daughter spread rumors about Anne and Steven, yet somehow their reputations don’t matter? She gives one half-hearted apology, and everyone is supposed to move on?
“Now, Anne and Jonathan bring up what she and Pepper did, with reason and proof, and suddenly that becomes slander?
“Everyone here has enough sense not to spread this outside, yet you’re already worried about Gianna’s reputation. Funny, because Gianna had no problem
spreading filth about others in group chats p>
Adrian had always felt guilty toward Wendy.
For years, no matter how coldly she treated him or how sharply she spoke, he usually endured it.
This time, though, the matter was too serious. Seeing her defend Anneliese without hesitation made his chest tighten with frustration.
He argued, “Wendy, Gianna may not be your biological daughter, but she’s still your niece. Pepper is your sister. How are they supposed to feel when you don’t trust them at all and keep taking an outsider’s side p>
Pepper quickly stepped in, her voice soft and uneasy. “Wendy, are you still angry about what happened in Adrian’s office earlier? I can explain that to you again p>
Gianna looked at Wendy through tearful eyes. “Aunt Wendy, do you really not care about me anymore p>
Wendy suddenly felt drained.
She was so tired of them that she did not even want to answer.
Anneliese noticed the disgust and exhaustion in Wendy’s expression. She gently squeezed Wendy’s hand, then looked at Pepper with a faint smile. “Ms. Chalmont, what makes you so sure I don’t have evidence p>
Pepper’s expression changed at once.
The agreement she had signed with Jessica in the hospital immediately came to mind.
That document was evidence.
The problem was that if Jessica brought it out, Zane would find out that Jessica had sold him off for twenty million.
On top of that, the agreement clearly stated that Jessica could not show it to any third party. If she did, she would have to return double the money.
Still, Jessica was missing now.
If Anneliese really took that agreement out and showed Adrian, Pepper would not be able to do anything to Jessica.
Pepper cursed to herself, D*mn it. Those useless people could not even keep track of a pregnant woman.
Sweat dampened her palms. Under Anneliese’s mocking gaze, she could only force herself to stay composed.
“Ms. Claude, Gianna has already admitted her mistake. As her mother, I’m willing to apologize to you as well.
“I’m sorry.
“For the sake of the relationship the Malone and Fullbuster families have maintained for three generations, I hope you can be generous and let this matter go
Anneliese’s smile deepened slightly. Oh? So Pepper is scared now.
She tilted her head, looking almost troubled. “Is that so? That puts me in a difficult spot. I was slandered for no reason, and I’m in a terrible mood right now. I don’t really feel like being generous feel more like getting. even p>
“You!” Pepper’s heart jolted.
She thought, B*tch.
With Adrian and the Fullbuster elders here, shouldn’t she at least pretend to be generous?
She doesn’t even have a powerful family behind her. She should know better than to
push too far in front of both families.
I’ve already swallowed my pride and apologized. What more does she want?
She should take the chance to back down while she still can.
Besides, Jessica already took twenty million from me. That alone shows what kind of woman she is.
If the Fullbusters find out that her best friend can be bought with money, will she still look so innocent?