Chapter 122 Forgive Himself

Chapter 122 Forgive Himself

…

At Crawford Mansion.

Clyde was himself again despite the chaos going on around him.

After Violet confessed everything- things he never knew existed- he somehow felt relieved.

He felt so relieved that she no longer had any doubts.

He was very relieved that she was no longer leaving him. 

He held her hand while the other hand was on the steering wheel.

As he drove the car inside the mansion, he was neither anxious nor wary.

He wasn't afraid that his grandfather had summoned him again.

He wasn't a bit scared that the old man might pass the worse judgment. 

“Can you at least act as if you're in a bad mood?” Violet threw him a helpless look. “If you smile like this at Grandpa, his anger might worsen.”

“I can act.” Clyde shrugged. 

He pulled over at the parking lot and they left the car.

“Are you sure?” Violet didn't believe him. “You’re not a great actor, you know.”

“Says who?” 

Clyde pulled her in for a kiss.

Violet's eyes widened. She struggled to break free but he overpowered her.

“Hey, let go…” She whispered. “There are people nearby.”

Violet wasn't making things up. 

She just heard footsteps approaching. 

Well, he didn't let her go and kissed her anyway. Clyde wasn't going to especially when he'd been mesmerized by the seductive gaze she gave him. 

The footsteps stopped not far away and someone gasped.

Thinking it was one of the servants, Clyde pulled away for a second.

But then, the lady standing ahead was none other than Cora.

She looked extremely green in the face, watching from afar. 

Clyde resumed what he was doing without paying her a bit of attention.

He already had an inkling about why she was in the mansion as well.

After gathering information these past few days, he came to realize what her true intention was.

Cora turned and stormed away, her harsh footsteps against the floor echoing.

Clyde finally broke the kiss, and Violet staggered backward, gasping for breath. “You-”

“Want more, sweetheart?” 

Violet scoffed. “And risk you sucking the air out of me? No. Thanks.”

She hurried away, and Clyde followed her, chuckling behind her.

They arrived at the enormous living room in his grandfather’s quarters.

He wasn't surprised to see so many people.

His parents, the Butler, Herman and Cora, and then his grandfather’s lawyer and his grandfather. 

Clyde sat on an empty seat with Violet, his gaze sweeping across everyone in the room.

His parents looked very angry, and while Herman had a smirk on his face, Cora looked extremely jealous.

Her dark look was especially pinned on Violet.

“I called you here today to address the current devastating matter in this family,” his grandfather started without acknowledging any pleasantries. “As you all know, my grandson, Clyde, has committed an outrageous sin. It doesn't matter that it was an accident. He has pushed his own sister to her death.”

His mother made a sound.

From the corner of his eyes, Clyde could see his father coaxing her.

Guilt settled in and he looked down.

“However, no one escapes their destiny. Because it was an accident, we have no choice but to let this matter go…” Grandpa went on. “But the news has already reached the public. The rumors have been buried now, but it's too risky to make any decision that could incite it.”

Clyde already saw it coming.

He wouldn't let the words come out from Grandpa’s mouth first.

At least, he should reserve some of his pride.

Herman won, but he wasn't going to give him all the satisfaction he wanted. 

So he cleared his throat and spoke up before his grandfather continued.

“It's only a slight punishment, compared to what I have done, to strip me of the chairman’s position. However, I hope it can pacify some of your anger. Grandpa, thank you for your benevolence.”

The worst the old man could do was disown him from the family.

Yet, he chose the least punishment.

Clyde would still be the president, but the chairman position was definitely going to his uncle.

Beside him, Violet squeezed his hand gently. Her presence gave him assurance. 

The rumors had been buried.

Nobody would know what happened, and there was no chance that anyone could use it to mock their daughter.

“One more thing…” Grandpa turned to others. “It’s true that rumors don’t start from nowhere. Whoever dug out this secret is only after this family’s reputation. You’ve disappointed me again, Herman. And Cora…” His expression darkened. “You were never part of this family but you meddled too much. For attempting to spoil this family’s name, you will be punished. You have two options. Jail or exile.”

Nobody in the room expected that.

Clyde didn’t as well. He’d thought that the old man was going to spare Herman because he was now the sole candidate for the chairman position.

“I’d rather die on this seat than hand it over to a disloyal family member. Seems like the one who will take over my seat is from the future generation.”

Grandpa’s last speech was welcomed by gasps. 

It was his lawyer alone who didn’t seem a bit surprised. 

Clyde exchanged glances with Violet. 

Indeed, the old man was thinking far ahead.

Cora and Herman were instantly detained by the bodyguards.

Herman appeared too speechless to react. Cora as well.

Nobody expected this sudden turn of events, but it was probably for the best.

After the meeting was over, Clyde and Violet didn’t spend much time in the mansion.

Besides, Grandpa was immediately escorted upstairs by the Butler as if the old man wasn’t in the mood to entertain them.

Clyde’s parents left immediately as well. His Mum was still gloomy and his Dad never glanced at him.

As they sat in the car, Violet didn’t let go of his hand. “It’s okay. They’ll come around.”

Would they ever come around?

Would they ever forgive him?

Maybe he deserved this punishment. For what he had done to his sister, even Clyde couldn’t forgive himself. 

The End.