Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Rupert said , “ Elysia , how could you scare your sister with a snake ?

“ I understand you’re unhappy with the addition of two new family members , but how can you bully them like this ? Or has life in the countryside over the past ten years turned you into one of those uncultured women ? ”

“ Being heartless is bad enough, but to act so crudely – catching such disgusting creatures .

Luckily no one was hurt .

If that snake had bitten Rowena , I would have …

Rupert left the rest of his sentence unfinished , but the raised hand said everything that needed to be said .

“ You’ve really disappointed me .

Since Torin has punished you by making you kneel , you can stay there all night .

And don’t bother going to school tomorrow .

”

A barrage of harsh and cutting words rained down on the young girl , coming from none other than her biological father .

Like the others , Rupert believed Rowena’s version of the story without question , going further by deliberately maligning and degrading Elysia with cruel words .

Standing in his office, Rupert was stunned to see himself on the giant screen across from his building , captured mid – scolding as he berated his daughter .

Was I really that harsh back then ? Wait .

Why were they even showing this ? Was it tied to that ‘ memory live – stream ‘ from yesterday ? ‘ Rupert thought .

On another screen , Rupert noticed his two sons .

Rupert thought , “ Torin skipped work again today ? And Fenwick – doesn’t he have a drama to film right now ? ‘

A sense of unease crept over him .

Desperate to understand what was going on , Rupert grabbed his phone to call his assistant .

The response he received was beyond anything he could have imagined .

“ Elysia signed a contract for a memory research project .

The resulting material is now being broadcast globally .

Nearly every major company has partnered with the Rookwood Group .

When we asked you about it , you said … anything related to Elysia didn’t need to be reported to you , ” the assistant stammered , their words hesitant and uneasy .

After all , no one in the company was unfamiliar with Elysia or the so – called “ bad deeds ” she had done .

When the project invitation first arrived , there was a strong aversion to it .

And when Mr.

Drayton dismissed it outright , they didn’t even bother reviewing the details .

But no one would have thought it was such a groundbreaking project .

Actual memory extraction !

What surprised them even more was how vastly different Elysia’s memories were from her reputation .

In reality , she was a kind , beautiful angel , wrongfully smeared as a venomous villain .

And Rowena …

Well , opinions were mixed .

“ I … did I really say that ? ” Rupert’s voice was hoarse , tinged with an uncharacteristic frailty .

“ Bring me a tablet .

I want to see it for myself ,” Rupert said .

He needed to know what memory could keep those two glued to the screen for so long , skipping meals as lunchtime approached .

A minute later , the assistant hesitated , torn between turning off the live – stream comments or letting Rupert see them .

After all , Rupert’s behavior had been excessive .

“ Hand it over , Rupert snapped impatiently , grabbing the tablet .

[ To hell with Rupert ! ]

The screen was filled with red text , endless lines of the same phrase accompanied by countless exclamation points .

Startled , his hand trembled , and he roared , “ What’s going on ? What’s with these uncivilized people ? I admit I was a bit harsh , but Elysia was the one in the wrong first ! Can’t I discipline my own child ? ”

[ Elysia is his biological daughter ! And this old man called her an uncultured woman ? Said she was crude ? Even tried to hit her ? My heart is breaking for her .

]

[ I wonder if Rupert is watching this live – stream .

Can’t wait to see his face when he finds out the snake was something Rowena bought to kill Elysia .

]

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Chapter 41

[ Show him the scene where Elysia bled herself to save Rowena , only to be betrayed in return .

]

[ Tsk .

This old man is clearly no saint .

His wife just passed , and he’s already married again .

]

Rupert’s expression darkened .

His brows furrowed , and his eyes burned with anger and disbelief .

It was clear : looks mattered more than he thought .

Take Torin and Fenwick , for example .

No matter how many mistakes they made , they were never subjected to this level of vitriol .

They still had loyal fans , even delusional ones who completely ignored morality in favor of their looks .

But Rupert was being dragged through the mud .

Rumors were flying , his personal information was exposed , and his life was laid bare for all to mock .

[ Rupert was caught defecating on the side of the highway .

]

Rupert said , “ This is slander ! And defamation ! Find out who’s behind this , and send them all legal notices ! ”

The assistant lowered their head , mumbling , “ Only companies partnered with the Rookwood Group have access to that information .

We don’t .

”

And … well , it didn’t really look like slander .

The assistant didn’t dare voice that last thought .

Just saying they lacked access was enough to leave Rupert fuming .

Rupert said , “ Now ! Immediately ! Get in touch with Jaycob Rookwood .

I want to invest .

”

Jaycob , the Rookwood Group’s former head , had recently stepped down , handing over the reins to his only son , Stellan .

The business headlines of the day confirmed it .

“ So it’s that boy ? Even better .

As his father – in – law , he has to listen to me on something this small .

”

“ Uh … sure , sir .

I’ll contact him now , ” the assistant replied , turning away with an eye – roll .

Under their breath , they muttered , “ You sent his wife to prison .

Father – in – law , my foot … ”

Rupert clenched his fists .

In his mind , it was clear .

Elysia had wronged Rowena so terribly that prison was the only place for her .

Only there could she have her wildness tamed .

And now Stellan had let her out , using some “ research project ” as an excuse to let her run free .

Rupert had let the matter drop , and for that alone , Stellan should be showing him gratitude .

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