Zyon added, trying his best to discredit Winnie, “You can’t be considering to believe a simpleton over your own grandson, can you, Grandpa?”
“How is that possible?” Rufus frowned. “Do I look like I’m senile? You were the one to have found Winnie, Louis. Were you already in cohorts with her before you brought her back to me?”
“No, Mr. Fairchild! I swear that we are not conspiring. Zyon did pay off the private investigator.”
“All right. Bring the private investigator to me,” Rufus said sternly. “I wish to interrogate him myself.”
“Er… He disappeared. I cannot contact him, but I will locate him.”
“Pfft!” Zyon chortled. “You can’t produce any evidence, yet you’re accusing me. How did you become the assistant to the CEO of Fairchild Corporation with brains like yours? You’re not welcome here. Get lost!”
“Watch yourself. You will get what’s coming one of these days. I will make a police report and have you sued!” At that, Louis turned around and marched out.
Winnie hurried after him. “You left me behind, Louis. I came with you.”
Jacinta, too, ran after her granddaughter.
“Hah!” Zyon laughed. “You see, Grandpa? The simpleton said they came together. They have planned to frame me from the start.”
After the trio exited, only Josiah and the two Fairchilds remained behind in the room.
Josiah’s expression turned grim.
Zyon cast him a disdainful glance. “What is it, Dr. Houghton? Are you unhappy because my grandfather didn’t believe your lies?”
Josiah adjusted his spectacles. “I think the simpleton is telling the truth, Mr. Fairchild.”
“Enough, Josiah. I know you and Zyon have always been at odds, and it ends today. Never have me listen to the rumors you concoct against the Fairchilds again. All right, you may go. I don’t need you here anymore.”
“Did you hear that?” Zyon was beside himself with glee. “You’re asked to leave!”
“All right, I’m going.”
Rufus frowned as soon as the door to the ward closed. “Tell me the truth, Zyon. Is what Louis and Winnie said true?”
“Of course, it isn’t true, Grandpa! How would I know Xavier would go to sea in the middle of the night to look for somebody? The claims of me wanting to kill that stupid woman Winnie is even more ludicrous. I have no motive to do so.”
“All right. Remember, you represent the Fairchild family now. There cannot be any taint on your reputation.”
“You’ve finally acknowledged me, Grandpa. Don’t worry. I will not let you down.”
Left forgotten in Josiah’s office, the oatmeal Winnie had brought became his lunch.
“You played your part well today, Mr. Tanser,” Josiah gushed as he ate. “I noticed the veins on your forehead bulging during your argument with Zyon. It was very convincing.”
Rufus played his part well, too. From the looks of it, Zyon took the bait. He probably thinks that Rufus would hand Fairchild Corporation in its entirety over to him.
“Yes. It looks like we’ve managed to deceive him this time,” Louis declared. “Now, I shall bring Mrs. Fairchild to lodge a report. I must trouble you, Dr. Houghton, to look after Old Mr. Fairchild. I fear that Zyon will do him harm.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
Louis lodged the report quickly, telling the authorities that Zyon conspired to murder Xavier and Winnie.
As Xavier was nowhere to be found, it was, at that moment, impossible to conduct an investigation.
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