Chapter 288 The Rumors
“Eric, this is a disaster. With your position, how could you let yourself get caught up in something like this?”
“Exactly! Uncle Eric, are you aware of how badly people are speaking about you online? You called the police over something so trivial and had so many innocent fans detained. This is completely unjust!”
“Our family has already lost several important business partners because
of this, Eric.”
“Enough, all of you!” Eric shouted, his finger pointing accusingly at the relatives who had gathered early in the morning to confront him. His face was twisted with frustration. “Do you even understand why I’ve been doing this? Do any of you know who’s actually been harmed here? It’s my son and my daughter–in–law! How could I turn my back on my own family?”
His voice rose in anger. “You think this is trivial? A group of people attacking my daughter–in–law, and you call it a small issue? If William hadn’t arrived when he did, what could have happened? Can any of you even begin to imagine it?”
After a pause, he continued, “And as for you! Your so–called business–how did it even get to where it is today? It’s because of me! Because of the Mitchell family’s influence! Without the Mitchells, would you have any of this? Now that our family is in trouble, you’re only concerned about how it affects you? Is that it?”
Eric’s anger surged as he pointed and yelled at each of them.
These people had been riding on the coattails of the Mitchell family for so long, taking its power for granted. Now that trouble had struck, their only concern was the potential loss of their wealth and influence.
Meanwhile, Renee was upstairs, overhearing the uproar in the living room. A bitter irony washed over her.
She had long known that when it came to money and power, people would always reveal their ugliest side.
She had seen this firsthand after her grandfather’s passing.
What she hadn’t anticipated, however, was that Eric and Esme would stand firmly by her side this time.
Maybe, it was still because of Felix.
At that moment, a voice rang out from downstairs, calling frantically, “Quick, look at the news online!”
Renee’s brow furrowed, a sense of unease creeping over her.
“Uncle Eric, look! Someone’s exposing the truth–that Renee’s child isn’t even William’s!”
“Her private life is in shambles. She probably doesn’t even know who the father is! Eric, look at this! How can you still stand by such a daughter–in- law? Are you really willing to raise someone else’s grandchild?”
“And this one, Eric. Check this out…”
Renee’s heart sank at the sound of their voices. She quickly pulled out her phone, and before she even had to search, a push notification caught her eye: “The secret of the wealthy family: is the child the father’s or the son’s?”
She opened the article, her eyes widening as she saw the content. It was, without a doubt, about the Mitchell family.
A wave of fury flooded through Renee’s body. These people would clearly go to any lengths to destroy her!
Her fingers clenched around her phone, her knuckles turning white from the force.
They could slander her. They could ruin her name. But to involve Felix in this–that was something she could never stand.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Eric’s voice thundered again. “This is madness! Are you all so easily manipulated? These rumors are completely fabricated! Investigate this! I want a thorough investigation!”
Eric, shaking with fury, couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was being accused of having an affair with his own daughter–in–law–and his relatives, of all people, were actually buying into it?
“Get out! All of you, out!” Eric shouted, his tone commanding. His relatives hesitated, intimidated by the force of his anger. The room grew unnervingly quiet.
At that very moment, Renee appeared at the top of the stairs, her presence commanding attention as she began her descent.
