Richard's expression clearly showed that he was not happy with Trisa's words. But he only frowned before staring at Randell who looked stunned. Richard started explaining to his brother and everyone there.
"As Trisa said earlier, I asked Miss Lilia and her parents to come here for a reason. Actually, this matter should've been discussed two days ago. But you all must remember that Leila was in the hospital that day," Richard began.
He looked around and made sure everyone nodded before continuing his explanation.
"The guard on duty that day called late at night. He said that there were two people who entered Leila's ward,"
Robert and Sylvia's faces turned pale when they heard that. So this was the reason why they were being held here!
But Richard ignored their reaction. "When Uncle Hardy and I rushed over there that night, both of them were gone. But we checked surveillance and found CCTV footage in front of Leila's ward. I was planning to find the two of them after Dad's birthday party ended, but apparently it wasn't necessary,"
The corner of Richard's mouth lifted into a cold smile. Then he cast his knife-sharp gaze at Robert and Sylvia.
"By chance tonight, I went to toast with Miss Lilia's parents. Can you imagine my surprise to discover that they were the two people who broke into Leila's ward that night? Mr. Robert and Mrs. Sylvia, could you please give us an explanation as to why you were there?"
Robert silently clenched his fists. They had been framed! Previously, he did not know why they were caught in the hospital that night. But now Robert knew that someone deliberately set them up.
Sylvia shifted restlessly in her chair. She felt nervous and confused when faced with the unfriendly gazes from the Irwan Family. She automatically turned to look at Robert beside her, hoping he would answer for them.
Robert took a deep breath as he looked into Sylvia's eyes that were filled with guilt. Robert also felt a little guilty for sneaking behind the back of the Irwan Family. After all, he was a man with experience in negotiations in the business world. His years of experience running the company had helped him through similar critical situations before.
Robert took a quiet sip of his teacup, then he looked at Richard, who was sitting across the table. Robert said with a contrived expression of surprise, "Is that all?"
Richard's expression grew sharper. "…What do you mean?" He asked in a low voice.
"Mr. Richard brought us here by force and asked the butler to stop us from leaving tonight. Is all this just because of what happened that night?" Robert replied calmly. "I admit that we did go to the hospital in secret to visit Miss Leila,"
During this entire conversation, Lilia and Jean seemed to be pulling away. They watched everything that happened with a flat expression, as if they were just watching a show from the sidelines. They didn't care which side looked better or worse.
Jean leaned back on the chair in a lazy motion. He held Lilia's hand while rubbing the back of her hand. The man seemed unfazed by the heat in the room.
Jean's touch helped distract Lilia from the arguments of Robert and Richard. She glanced at her husband with a small smile. If Lilia were here alone, maybe she wouldn't be able to act this calm.
"So you admit it?" Richard demanded in a high voice.
Hearing that, Robert shook his head with a bitter laugh. Then he looked at Sylvia and said sadly, "Do you still want to keep it a secret?"
Sylvia immediately stuttered when Robert suddenly asked her. She had absolutely no idea what her husband was planning. Sylvia leaned towards Robert and whispered frantically, "Robert, what are you talking about?"
Richard squinted at the husband and wife interaction. He also glanced at Leila from time to time. This girl, whom he had raised with great love and affection for years, looked different than usual. There was tension in Leila's expression.
On the other hand, Simon didn't say a word. He only occasionally exchanged glances with Anton.
Janice was silent for a long time as she tried to suppress the strange thoughts that had come to her mind. She frowned and folded her arms over her knees. Then Janice said in a high voice, "Mr. Robert, I don't understand what you said. Give us an explanation,"
Robert looked at Sylvia with disappointment before sighing. "Okay, because Irwan's family insists, I won't hide it any longer. As you all know, my wife and Miss Leila have met each other in Surabaya. The two of them became so close like family," Robert explained.
Lilia's hands automatically clenched into fists when she heard Robert say 'like family'.
"To be honest, it's a little embarrassing to say," Robert scratched his head with an embarrassed expression. "As a result of that meeting, my wife likes Leila too much. Especially because the child is well behaved and smart, and looks fun,"
Janice's expression slowly started to soften after hearing them praise her daughter.
"Recently, I heard that Leila was admitted to the hospital, and my wife Sylvia keeps thinking about her. I really couldn't hold back her nagging, so I desperately took my wife to the hospital secretly. I'm afraid Leila can't explain our visit to Irwan's family, so we slip away," Robert continued with an expression full of concern for Leila.
"After all, Leila has gotten along very well with us. But we are worried that the Irwan Family will look down on a small family like us. I neither want my wife nor Leila to be humiliated. If this causes misunderstanding between our two families, this is all really our fault. I will take responsibility and bear whatever the consequences "
Sylvia, who finally understood Robert's meaning, immediately cleared her nervous expression. She nodded her head hastily. "Yes, yes, we are afraid that it is difficult for Leila to explain about us to the Irwan family, so we do not dare to speak directly to you all,"
Lilia almost praised them. Their explanation made perfect sense and provoked sympathy. She even saw that Richard's expression had softened.
"Like your own family, huh?" Lilia thought as she turned towards Leila.
The woman was silent with her head lowered, like a child who had done something wrong. But Robert's words earlier took over Leila's blame and blamed it on himself.
Robert would blame Lilia for all the unpleasant situations. However, if Leila was the one involved in the situation, Robert would protect her and not let her be blamed. Totally different treatment.
Lilia shook her head with a mocking expression. Before Richard could speak, Lilia asked calmly, "Daddy, so you've come to Jakarta every month for years, just to visit Miss Leila?"
The words 'every month for years' immediately stuck into Sylvia's heart. The panic that had just disappeared now overtook her. She turned her head to look at Lilia and shouted angrily, "Brat, don't talk nonsense! What do you mean years?! I don't know what you're talking about!"
Lilia barely held back her laughter when she heard Sylvia's burst of anger. She was worried that Irwan's family could not grasp the other meaning behind her words.. But Sylvia helped her by repeating those words herself.
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