Chapter 269: Chapter 269

"Different people react in different ways. The victim should never be blamed. But now that you have brought this about, what will you do about that Avril person?"

Alex cleared his throat and glared at Brad, who conveniently averted his eyes. Brad understood the glare and knew his dad blamed him for bringing up the topic.

"Currey and Murray are still searching for her." Brad volunteered.

"Should we involve the police at this time?"

All eyes turned to Alex. The old man sighed and massaged his temples.

"She needs to pay for what she has done. Do not worry, my dear; I will not interfere with this."

Geneva looked long and hard at her husband and was only satisfied when she noticed his stern expression.

Alex, at this time, was angry as he had tried unsuccessfully to reach Avril. Initially, he had thought that there might have been an explanation for her actions, but the evidence that Currey had presented was foolproof. Alex still could not understand why Avril would suddenly do that.

Brad interjected, "It will speed up if we get the police involved, but Ian is awake so I think we should just leave that decision to him. I hope that Dad does not step in this time. Sister-in-law nearly lost her life, and I have no idea why and what prejudice Avril holds against her when they hardly know each other."

Geneva smirked, ’Men are so dense! It is not ’rocket science’ to know the why behind Avril’s actions!’

"Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Brad, good morning!" A familiar childish voice sounded causing the adults to turn to the source. Gabriel hurried into the receiving area with Ingrid right behind his heels.

Ingrid offered a low greeting, but the adults did not mind as they would have usually tried to get her to open up a little more. They were used to her shy ways and also did not have time for minute details, considering the gravity of the situation at hand.

"Grandma, Mummy did not come back last night, and Daddy too! Even Suzie was gone when we got up."

Gabriel whined in one sentence without pausing for a breath and then walked up to Geneva. He leaned directly against her legs and looked up at her in anticipation and a plea of a sort. Unlike Ingrid, who was still reserved, Gabriel seemed not to mind what he had gone through at the hands of the members of the Thornston family. Gabriel was as bubbly and optimistic as ever.

Ingrid stood silently at the back and watched everything under hooded eyes. Brad shook his head at Gabriel’s actions and then turned to her with a smile, "My favourite niece! How are you today?"

Ingrid looked towards Brad and nodded, then turned back to look at Geneva with a little glint in her eyes. She was also interested in whatever response Gabriel would get.

"Your mother is in the hospital, and Suzie and your dad are with her t-"

"Again? Mama Shelby needs to take care of herself. Why is she always getting hurt?"

"Is she okay?" Ingrid squeaked.

Brad turned in surprise to see that Ingrid had crossed the room in barely a second when she heard that Shelby had been admitted.

Geneva stretched out her hand and patted Ingrid’s shoulder, making the girl stiffen slightly. She was not used to that from anyone apart from her mother, Shelby and sometimes Brad when he allowed her to use his musical instruments.

"I agree that your mother needs to take better care of herself, but Suzie and your dad will handle that for now."

Geneva conveniently did not answer Ingrid’s question because she did not know the answer herself.

"Can I go and see her, please?" Gabriel added that Geneva had no heart to turn him down. Maybe it was because she also wanted to go back to the hospital and keep an eye on Shelby.

"Tell you what, let’s see her together later in the day, but for now, let’s get you children something to eat."

Gabriel threw up his little fists in the air, "Yes!"

The adults laughed. It was the first real laugh since the incident. However, they were unsure if Gabriel’s glee was for the breakfast or the prospect of seeing his mother.

From the corner of Geneva’s eyes, she could see that Ingrid let out a sigh of relief.

’This child.... *sigh! *’

None of them looked for the third and oldest child at that time. Maybe it was because she was never around. Samantha was then used to staying away from them, too.

"Turn that up!" Abi snapped. It was barely afternoon, but her mood was still very sour. Even Abram had tried his best to stay away from her. He sat with Brianna at their dining table. The place was open-concept, so they could see Abi from where she sat in the armchairs. Sun rays spilt out through the large windows, illuminating the place. Several maids stood behind the father and daughter and awaited their next instructions.

The maid nearest the hall hurried and turned up the TV volume.

"We brought you this startling breaking news yesterday. It is now confirmed that Chairman Ian’s wife is in a critical state now.... More come your way, this is T-Vino news...."

Abi stretched out her hand, and the maid quickly handed her the remote control.

She switched the channel: "It is interesting how the safety protocols being advertised at the T-Vino Winery failed. Do you think that this was really an accident?"

Abi switched it again: "Accident or near-Homicide, only time will tel-"

"This is really shocking news for all of us. Given how Chairman Ian adores his wife, he should be devastated-"

"The police refuse to comment at this time as an open investigation has been launched into the accident involving Mrs Shelby Thornston-"

"Unbelievable! Unbelievable! I could not believe it when I heard it! Did you hear -"

After switching through multiple news and discussion channels, Abi switched it off. She could not shake off that unspeakable feeling that something was bubbling up... like an impending doom!

"Relax, mum! What can they do? There is no evidence that I was there. Besides, Shelby is a fool! She is a real idiot! I can’t believe how easy it was for her to believe my words! She ceased to be a ’friend’ the day she married my Ian!"

Abi turned to look at her daughter. Even though Brianna’s words rang true to Abi, she still felt a little uncomfortable. This was because Abi could read a game and predict the steps way ahead of time. She knew Ian well enough to know that Brianna’s actions had been a wrong move.

Abi did her best and even bribed someone to check the CCTV footage in the T-Vino Winery offices, but she was told that the cameras had malfunctioned and nothing was recorded. That coincidence itself was disturbing.

With rare furious eyes, Abi turned to her daughter.

Brianna paused and placed her sandwich back on her plate. "Are you referring to what I said about Shelby? Haha! Mum! Stop fretting! The news people just want something to talk about. None of them said that it was deliberate. In fact, I will get ready and go visit Shelby after my meal. As her best friend, I cannot afford not to go there, right?"

The veins in Abi’s temple stood up, and she fumed as Brianna continued talking oblivious to this.

"I don’t even know how Shelby survived that. I guess it was true that she is a witch! I must find a way to silence her for good! The visit today may provide me with the best opportunity-"

"Go and get that dress for me this instant!"

"You, over there! Get me a pair of scissors!"

Even without context, they understood what the instructions were. There was only one cherished dress that had appeared in the residence the evening before and for once, Brianna had tended to it herself and hung it up her room.

Brianna looked at her mother, wondering what she was so angry about.

Abi turned back to her daughter and husband. As soon as Abram met Abi’s eyes, he ducked down as if there was something interesting on his plate. Abram knew that look all too well, and he tried to signal Brianna to stop, but Brianna was gloating at her achievement.

"You! Young lady! Will not be going anywhere!"

"What do you mean by that mum? Why won’t I be going anywhere?"

"You seem not to understand the predicament you are in, right? You will stay put here until your father and I, find a place for you and send you off this island!"

Abram pointed to himself, raising his brows, ’Me?’ he thought but when he met his wife’s eyes, he cowered again.

"You can’t do that?!" Brianna screamed and stood up, knocking her chair over. Just then she saw her new favourite dress. The dress that she had taken from Shelby. The maid brought it over to Abi and without hesitation, Abi took it from its hanger and cut it into pieces with the scissors that was handed her.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!" Brianna screamed as Abi handed the pieces to the same maid.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT! I LOVED THAT DRESS!"

".... And that is the only dress that can link you up to that scene! You will stay put while I try to find a way to retrieve the other one."

"You can’t do that! I am twenty-three!"

"Yes, I know, my daughter. Nonetheless, you are grounded from today onwards until things die down and we can get you off this island!"

Abi’s cold gaze met that of her defiant daughter’s. Abi knew without a doubt that Brianna would not be safe. She needed a way to either finish the job or keep Shelby’s mouth shut but it would be near impossible with Ian around.

Abi had her own power source and was confident about taking Geneva down, but not so much with Ian. The man was a maniac, at least in Abi’s view. Even at her age, Ian gave Abi the frights.

Abi only had one daughter, and she was prepared to do anything to protect her, even from herself!

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