Thousands of thoughts numbed Gianna from thinking or doing anything. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest, unable to grasp what was happening.
Everything was smooth. She had asked those men to disperse even when they failed to get Zane out of the mansion. She didn't expect those people to get caught.
'Why will Gianna try to kidnap her grandson? That doesn't make any sense.'
One of the lady's voices sat in her mind. 'Grandson! Grandson… Why will I kidnap my grandson?' Gianna found hope for escape.
If she stresses why she would kidnap her grandson and somebody might be making her the scapegoat, she could escape, couldn't she?
Would Alvin and Anya dare to say to the world Alvin was a bastard?
And Casper would do anything to keep it hidden, so he would save her too, wouldn't he?
Then she could play the victim of both the kidnap incident and Anya's actions of slapping her in front of all. Then people will be compassionate towards her, won't they?
She knew getting angry at Anya would backfire so she threw all other thoughts out of her mind and decided to be the victim of the whole situation.
Holding her cheek and Gianna let the tears wet her cheeks, "Anya…" She murmured, enduring the pain from her cheek.
She was itching to blame Anya or make those people look at Anya in disgust. However, she forgot Anya was unrelated to the higher society, and Anya preferred it that way.
"Anya Owen." An old lady's growl sounded in the hall followed by her coughs.
Gianna flinched instead of Anya. Cordelia was ruining her plan by getting angry at Anya and showing support to her.
Why wouldn't Cordelia support Gianna when Gianna had evidence of Cordelia and Benjamin talking about killing Alvin?
Gianna had used that accident to separate Ean from Alvin. But Ean was returning to Alvin's side.
Well, Gianna hadn't realized, that in the process of taking away all the support from Alvin, she had gotten rid of unfaithful people around him. That left Alvin with the most trusted ones who would stand by him.
Alvin crossed his arms and watched the show as if the Matthews family didn't belong to him. Anya was right, Matthews will destroy themselves while trying to keep themselves safe.
Gianna got a wild card against Cordelia so that Matthews' family would be at her beck and call. Thus Cordelia was going to support Gianna willingly or unwillingly.
Alvin glanced at Casper who was left with two poisonous snakes, having no idea his mother was most cruel to them. "Casper Matthews, don't think you are going down because of them."
Alvin had numerous times thought of Gianna when he was in his teens. Gianna loved her parental family, Liam was her life. If he was the second biological son of Gianna, she wouldn't have turned into a bitter woman. Rather, she would have lived life happily even without Casper's love and care.
Cordelia was always proud of Casper who was better than her husband and focused on the family business, bringing glory to the family when she was at her peak of age. But she became possessive and anything that affects her son or family should be plucked out to avoid troubling her son. She was doing the same.
Alvin added when Casper looked at him with his jaws clenched, "You are the reason they are going down."
If Casper had regretted his actions and sincerely apologized to Gianna, things would probably have been different. But Casper's ego and pride, and lack of understanding of the relationship made him apathetic.
Sometimes, Alvin wondered why Casper was that way. Has something happened in his life? Was he forced into marriage? Was his father like that?
Alvin ignored it and looked at Anya who was gazing at Cordelia. His lips faintly arced when Elder Collins reached the coughing Cordelia. Looks like Elder Collins and Anya had formed a great rapport.
Elder Collins almost snatched the water glass away from Cordelia's hand and placed it on the table. "Cordelia Milton, don't think we aren't aware of your plans with your nephew."
Cordelia froze. She loved herself more than Gianna. If Elder Collins knew about her plan, then 'we' obviously meant Anya and Alvin.
She had no idea Gianna had tried to kidnap Zane. If what she heard was right, she would have chided Gianna for having the thoughts like kidnapping Zane as he was the only one they had as an heir.
However, after being caught planning to kill Alvin, Cordelia had to choose to save Gianna in front of all. Now, she couldn't offend either Gianna or Anya.
What should she do?
A cold ran down her spine when Cordelia met Anya's gaze. In that hall, if Cordelia had to pick one as ineligible to be around these families, it was Anya Owen. However, Anya's imposing action kept the whole hall silent.
Cordelia swallowed hard, recalling the slap. If that slap lands on her cheek, she would probably lose her last breath right there. She fell silent and looked at Casper.
He was more powerful than everyone in that hall, wasn't he? He would handle this. Cordelia assured herself pinning high hopes for her son.
Gianna continued her act, "Anya, why will I kidnap my grandson?" She sounded so wronged.
Alvin was a bit disappointed seeing Cordelia fall silent at Elder Collins's words. Well, his wife was giving Cordelia to his hands as Ean was the one who got hurt.
Casper could bet Gianna did try to kidnap Zane and her aim wouldn't only be to control Alvin but also him and Cordelia. She would have made the whole Matthews family dance on her terms if she had succeeded.
Anyway, his current focus was on saving their reputation from tainting in front of all.
"Captain, there must be a misunderstanding. You can't conclude with baseless things." Saying it, he hurried towards Gianna and Anya.
Alvin cued Mark and whispered in his ear before following Casper right behind him. If Casper dared to scare his wife or even try to control her, then he would be the one to ruin Matthews's reputation.
Casper helped Gianna to stand and faced Anya, "Alvin, Anya, let's talk outside and clear the misunderstanding." Then he went towards the door with Gianna.
Anya snickered hearing Casper stress 'Misunderstanding,' repeatedly. She had heard if a lie is repeated, people will eventually believe it and the truth will look like a lie.
The people who had no idea about the dirty secrets of the Matthews family started believing Gianna had no reason to kidnap Zane and that Anya was too brash.
Alright, if this is how they want to increase their popularity, Anya will give them a hand. She turned to the police captain and demanded, "Captain Joseph, how could you bring an arrest warrant over a misunderstanding?"
'Arrest warrant?' The hall that started to lean towards Gianna, straightened at Anya's words. The cops might detain someone for interrogation. They couldn't get the arrest warrant unless they have accurate and verified proof.
Casper clenched his teeth. His hold on Gianna's arm significantly tightened, making her grimace.
Do they have to go out to clear a misunderstanding?
It was clear that there was no misunderstanding, to begin with.
He glared at Alvin. If this goes on, there will be a debate on Gianna's actions. Alvin's birth secret will be revealed, and his mother Janet's reputation will be tarnished. How could Alvin let it happen?
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