Chapter 277: Chapter 277

Without hesitation, Murray stepped around the woman heaped on the floor and returned with a bottle of cold water from the fridge in the room. Murray poured it slowly onto the woman, and she awoke immediately, screaming furiously: "Aaahhhh! Who is that? Who dared?!" She looked around, wide-eyed frantically.

At the same time, Suzie let out a loud yelp and jumped. Her heart darted from right to left, wondering what the heck had happened to her. Her issue had nothing to do with the other person, but they had screamed in unison.

"What is it?!" Geneva snapped, turning to Suzie, clearly very irritated but without regard for the other person. Suzie was clumsy at times, but she was usually very professional. Geneva was already in a bad mood, and that action worsened it.

"I—... I’m sorry, I’-m -!" Suzie bowed, stuttering. She knew she had done something outrageous out of her codebook by interrupting. The slightly annoyed gazes that landed on her did not make her feel any better.

However, these did not last long, and all turned back to the other person. Suzie looked all around her, placing one hand on her chest. This showed just how startled she had been. Of course, her reaction was ridiculous in observers’ eyes, as they did not understand.

Suzie patted her chest several times to calm herself and looked around warily. A voice echoed in her head when she thought she had misheard whatever that was. This was what had caused her to yelp in surprise earlier.

She had initially been so focused on Murray’s actions that when the voice that had called out to her. It was almost seemingly right from beside her when no one had spoken, nor was anyone standing that close to her. It had frightened her out of her wits.

’What are you still doing? Where is the glass of water?! ’ The same strong voice echoed in her head, as if someone were speaking right in her ear, but there was no one there.

Suzie was puzzled but this time, she did not react as she had done earlier. Her wariness increased.

"Wait- thi-s is...." Suzie whispered as something tugged on the corner of her mind, but then,

"Here it is," Ava said calmly from the side as she handed the glass to Ian, who held it by Shelby’s lips.

"Wh- Ho-" Ava smiled at Suzie from the other side of the bed making her feel more puzzled.

’How did you find her?’ Alex and Brad wanted to ask, but they felt that it was not the right time. The father and son exchanged a glance with one single thought: ’Shelby seemed different. They weren’t sure what it was, but something about Shelby stood out to the others in the room. Just as all these went on, the woman jumped up shivering but then, exclaimed,

"She is really alive?!"

That comment was enough to stop everyone in their wake and bring their attention fully back to her, Avril!

Avril clamped her hand over her mouth and looked around erratically. She changed her tone and words,

"OMG! Little sister is alive! TG! I was so worried!" Avril fumbled her speech but rushed towards Shelby on the bed. She looked relieved and happy to see Shelby, but Murray blocked her by shoving her back roughly, making Avril lose her balance.

Avril’s words would have made sense had they not known and seen her actions. Also, Avril’s first surprise at seeing Shelby alive was so strange that it gave her thoughts away. The saying that actions spoke louder than words were clearly demonstrated but Avril had yet to realize her actions or inactions.

Alex’s disappointment in Avril skyrocketed. He noticed her strange hair colour and that she had tried to mask her appearance. Alex scrunched up his face in disgust. Alex was a shrewd businessman, and even though he did not know where Murray had brought Avril from, her appearance showed her thoughts and intentions, too.

Humans were indeed strange creatures as the dealings of the heart were obscured from everyone. How could Alex have known that the person he had held in high regard do that?

"Ah!" Avril screamed again as she fell flat on her back, scrambling back up.

"Why are you surprised that Shelby is alive?" Alex asked. By some unspoken agreement, all had decided to let him ask whatever he wanted.

Avril bit her lips. She was still trying to find out how she had been removed from the ship. She was a step away from freedom before that man had appeared. She did not remember him using the door. He had just appeared out of thin air, which was ridiculous no matter how she thought of it.

’The stress and adrenalin from the past few days must be getting to my head.’

Another thing that Avril did not know was that it had only been a few minutes since Murray knocked her unconscious and took her off the ship. That knowledge would have made her lose any calm or schemes she was brewing.

Avril tried to get on her feet again after sending a glare towards Murray, but this time, he forced her onto her knees, his hands pressed firmly on her shoulders, and she nearly cried out in pain. When he was sure that she would remain in that position, Murray let go.

"You know what? Never mind my first question. Why did you try to harm Shelby?" Alex changed his questioning instead.

"I did not do that! I swear! Da-"

"Do not call me that!" Alex’s anger bubbled at her lies, and he started seeing her in a different light.

"I will never do that! I am being framed!" Avril shouted as tears started streaming down her cheeks as she shouted a name,

Alex held the words he had been about to say and then asked himself if bringing Avril into his home was worth it.

’Should I have listened to Geneva then and just settled that family then?’

"Yes, Yes, It’s all Brianna’s fault!"

Shelby finished sipping the water, and Ian set the glass down. The couple looked on at the dramatics as Avril continued,

"That Slut! She thinks money and status are everything! I can’t believe that she wants to seduce her own best friend’s husband! It’s ridiculous! I really tried to talk some sense into her,"

"So, you knew of her plans, Avril? I took you in-"

"Uncle Alex, you cannot blame me for something unilaterally! I cannot control another adult’s behaviour!" Avril interrupted Alex and continued, changing her tactic this time. She switched the topic,

"My father saved you! It is because of you that-"

"Stop right there, young lady!" Alex’s voice grew cold, and his eyes narrowed. ’Did I raise a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

The frigidity oozing out of Alex at that moment showed his rare cold and cruel side. Those simple words were enough to let everyone know that Geneva and Ian were not the only fearsome ones in the family.

Avril was flabbergasted. She stopped shuffling towards Alex, wondering what had changed. In the past, Alex had taken her words as gold. As long as she said a few words, Alex would listen and, most importantly, believe her.

This was why her eyes lit up, and she dared to mention her father and the favour owed, but Avril never thought of this scenario. Avril tried a different tactic but this time, Alex did not relent. Avril already knew of Geneva’s sentiments so she did not try that avenue.

"Murray, did you call the police?"

"Uncle Alex! You can’t mean it! Do you want to send an innocent person to the police station just because of her?!"

Brad closed his eyes and shook his head. He decided to listen and not say much about what was happening.

"They will be here momentarily," Murray responded.

"You people can’t mean that. Why are you doing this to me? Please don’t call the police...." One could see the panic all over her. Her wet hair was plastered against her skull, and the air condition in the room was not helping her. Her teeth clattered as she shuffled on her knees and changed direction to Shelby and Ian.

"Brother Ian, little sister! I really did not do any- I mean, I did not mean it. I-"

’This bitch is so malleable! She will forgive me pretty soon. I deleted the video footage, so I should be okay. Let me get a few tears in so they feel guilty for wrongly accusing me! Yes, that is right, I have not done anything otherwise, so I should be okay....’

Avril repeated to herself again, forgetting that she had been contradicting herself. Her heart thundered as she convinced herself of what she had to do. Her face did not show this at all. Tears still streamed down her cheeks, and she looked miserable as if she had been wronged.

"I mean, not that. I never did anything to you. I take you as my sister! Why would I even do that? I love my new little sister -"

Shelby started to feel a slight pressure in her chest at the words rolling into her ears.

’I need to smack those lies off her lips!’ Shelby thought as she started reliving the night of the accident. Her body shivered slightly, and Ian wrapped his arms around her tightly. She wiggled and released her arms just as Avril got closer, but she did not expect what happened next.

*PAH!!!!* Two crisp slap sounds echoed as one as all eyes turned to who had done it.

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