Chapter 385

Jack was the one who took the beating, but it was Donald who ended up in the hospital. He’d collapsed from the sheer rage of it all.
Penelope and Timothy slipped past the bodyguards and made their way to Donald’s hospital room, hoping to finally get some answers about the past. But through the door, they saw Mrs. Bishop and Jack, who was kneeling by Donald’s bed.
“If you’re still not satisfied, Mr. Bishop, then please, hit me again!”
Jack’s face was a mess of bruises, but he didn’t dare utter a word of complaint.
Donald glared at him, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might shatter.
“I warned you never to bring up what happened back then!”
Jack’s lips thinned. “I just couldn’t stand hearing everyone praise Edith, and it just slipped out. It’s the truth, isn’t it? If she hadn’t seduced me when I was drunk, I… I never would have betrayed you, Mr. Bishop. And then you wouldn’t have retaliated and cost me half my family’s fortune.”
“You still dare to speak!” Donald snarled.
“I don’t blame you, Mr. Bishop. I was weak and gave in to temptation. But Edith was the one most at fault. She climbed into my bed for money. She’s nothing but a promiscuous-”
“Shut up!”
Donald snatched an insulated mug from the bedside table and hurled it at Jack. Jack barely dodged it; if it had connected with his head, it would have split his skull open. The close call terrified him, and he immediately started slapping his own face.
“I was out of line, Mr. Bishop. I was wrong. I’m so sorry for what I did to you. I deserve to die!”
Mrs. Bishop sighed and gently helped Donald lie back down. “I don’t know the exact details of what happened, but it’s been so many years. You should let it go.”
Donald pushed her hand away and fixed his gaze on Jack again. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ~net
“Delete every last one of those disgusting posts you made about Edith. Now.”
Jack hesitated. “They’re already out there. Everyone’s seen them. Deleting them now won’t do any good.”
“Then you’ll tell them all you were lying! Tell them Edith… Edith was a good woman!”
“But I wasn’t lying.’
“Jack!”
“Alright, alright! I’ll delete them, Mr. Bishop. I post whatever you want me to post. But I don’t understand why you’re defending her like this She betrayed you. I just feel it’s an injustice.”
“An injustice to me?” Donald’s breath came in ragged gasps. “Get out. Get out of my sight right now!”
Jack couldn’t afford to anger Donald. He slapped himself twice more for good measure before scrambling out of the room.
Penelope and Timothy hid in a
nearby utility closet until he was gone. When they emerged, they exchanged a look, their faces
flushed with anger. They knew their mother better than anyone; she would never have cheated Jack had
to be lying.
“I’m going after him. I’m going to make him tell the truth!” Timothy said, ready to chase after Jack, but Penelope grabbed his arm.
“He won’t tell you the truth.”
“Then what do we do?”
Penelope pulled him back toward Donald’s room. Through the window in the door, they saw Mrs. Bishop pouring a glass of water and using a spoon to help Donald drink.
“Your heart is already weak. Why do you let yourself get so worked up? If something were to happen to you, what would I do?”
Donald’s brow furrowed. “I’m fine.”
“You are not fine. The doctor said if your condition worsens, it could trigger a heart attack. That’s life-threatening.”
“The things people are saying online about Edith are vicious. She isn’t a public figure, but I can’t stand to see her slandered like this, could make a statement, but no matter what I say, people will just assume m defending her, which would only make things worse. So
“You want me to be the one to clear her name?”
“Judy, I know it’s incredibly unfair to ask this of you, but all I can say is… I’m sorry.”