Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 785

Adrian still found it hard to believe that Pepper and Gianna would go that far.

In his eyes, Pepper had always been gentle and soft-natured. She could be timid at times, even a little old-fashioned, but she had always seemed kind.

Gianna was different. She had been spoiled too much and could be willful, but he had always thought of her as a harmless girl. Proud, yes. Petty, maybe. Yet never cruel enough to harm someone.

Hiring someone to hurt another person was far beyond what he believed they were capable of.

No, that could not be connected to them.

Gianna was still the Malone family's eldest daughter in the public eye. Even though she was not his biological child, everyone still treated her as his daughter.

If people learned that she had hired someone to hurt another person, her reputation would be destroyed. Worse, the Malone family would be dragged down with her.

Adrian's face darkened as he looked at Jonathan and Anneliese.

"Jonathan, words like that can't be spoken carelessly. If you have proof, show it. If not, don't accuse people of something so serious.

"Gianna grew up following you all around like a younger sister. Even if she made mistakes, our families still have years of connection between us.

"If you and your wife accuse her and her mother without evidence, you'll ruin their names completely."

Anneliese had not spoken yet when Wendy, who was still holding her hand, lost her temper first.

"Mr. Malone, you really haven't changed at all. Still biased to the point of shamelessness.

"Your precious adopted daughter spread rumors about Anne and Steven, yet somehow their reputations don't matter? She gives one half-hearted apology, and everyone is supposed to move on?

"Now, Anne and Jonathan bring up what she and Pepper did, with reason and proof, and suddenly that becomes slander?

"Everyone here has enough sense not to spread this outside, yet you're already worried about Gianna's reputation. Funny, because Gianna had no problem spreading filth about others in group chats."

Adrian had always felt guilty toward Wendy.

For years, no matter how coldly she treated him or how sharply she spoke, he usually endured it.

This time, though, the matter was too serious. Seeing her defend Anneliese without hesitation made his chest tighten with frustration.

He argued, "Wendy, Gianna may not be your biological daughter, but she's still your niece. Pepper is your sister. How are they supposed to feel when you don't trust them at all and keep taking an outsider's side?"

Pepper quickly stepped in, her voice soft and uneasy. "Wendy, are you still angry about what happened in Adrian's office earlier? I can explain that to you again."

Gianna looked at Wendy through tearful eyes. "Aunt Wendy, do you really not care about me anymore?"

Wendy suddenly felt drained.

Pepper cursed to herself, D*mn it. Those useless people could not even keep track of a pregnant woman.

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