Chapter 312
Chapter 312
“Agh! No, that’s not true! I didn’t do it!” Edna’s eyes were wild with fear as she scrambled to get up from the floor, panic written all over her face.
Celestine dramatically wiped her eyes, squeezing out a single tear, her voice sharp with disbelief. “Aunt Edna, I saw everything just now! I’ve told you before–Grandpa’s old, his health’s failing. Why would you do something to hurt him? When has the Selwyn family ever treated you unfairly? Uncle, she claims Grandpa always favored you, but has he ever let you go hungry, or cheated you out of your share when the estate was divided? Do you remember how many paintings Grandpa sold just to clean up your messes? Or has that all just slipped your mind?”
Her voice rang out, clear and powerful.
When the accusatory stares landed on Murdock, his face turned ashen, lost for words, completely flustered.
The crowd’s anger was instantly inflamed.
“My God! What a bunch of ungrateful leeches! I thought the old man was being harsh, but it turns out his own son and mistress were bleeding him dry!”
“With a son like that, you’d be better off with a roast in the oven!”
“Wait, now I remember where I’ve seen that old man’s face! That’s Luther Selwyn, the famous master! His paintings go for millions. I heard he’s been in poor health and hasn’t painted in years. And yet his own son doesn’t care if he lives or dies–what a monster!”
Sharp, cutting accusations flew at Murdock from every direction.
He’d spent years as a respected professor, his image carefully maintained and admired by students.
Never had he been the target of such widespread public condemnation.
Some in the crowd even started shouting insults in his face.
Completely losing his composure, Murdock stormed over and slapped Edna hard across the face.
“Wretch! After everything Dad’s done for you, this is how you repay him?
He put his full strength into that blow, knocking Edna–already dazed–back to the
floor
Chapter 312
She cowered, clutching her face, sobbing in anguish. “I didn’t do it, Murdock! He fell on his own, I swear–I never touched him!”
“Still trying to lie your way out? You’re a mother, for God’s sake! How could you be so heartless? That’s my father you hurt!”
Still seething, Murdock aimed a vicious kick at her stomach.
Then, trying to save face, he turned to Celestine, feigning remorse. “Celly, I’m sorry–I should’ve kept her in check. Let me check on your grandfather!”
Celestine ignored his hypocrisy and stepped protectively in front of the old man.
Murdock, frustrated, opened his mouth to argue further–when Jade suddenly
shrieked.
“Oh my God! She’s bleeding!”
“Enough with the screaming, you little brat!” Murdock snapped, turning around, ready to scold Jade and try to appease Celestine–hoping to secure his place in the inheritance later.
But when he turned, he saw Edna sprawled in a spreading pool of blood.
A crimson stain was rapidly darkening the hem of her white dress.
Her face had gone ghostly pale, terror–stricken as she clutched her lower abdomen, repeating over and over, “The baby… my baby… my baby…”
The shock of the scene hit Murdock like a freight train.
For a moment, he was too stunned to move.
“Is she–did her period just start?” someone whispered.
Jade rushed to Edna’s side, trying to help her up.
No one in the crowd had expected anything like this.
“That’s not her period–she’s miscarrying! That mistress is pregnant!”
“Holy hell! Did that guy just beat his own unborn kid to death?”
A wave of horrified murmurs swept through the hallway outside the hospital room.
Murdock began to tremble uncontrollably, dropping to his knees beside Edna. “Edna, don’t do this to me! Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?!
Murdock was nearly fifty years old.
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