Addicted After Marriage: Marrying My Abstinent Boss-Chapter 178: Unable to Defend Myself

Sophia Lowell was sipping on the dessert Zane Sterling brought back this afternoon when she saw today’s headline.

Drake Morgan’s body was found by the police, discovered by the river in an abandoned mountain village.

There wasn’t a single part of his body unharmed. According to reports, his fingers were shattered, nails ripped out, and the insides of his thighs were battered beyond recognition. His face was unidentifiable upon discovery.

The sight was horrifying.

Sophia Lowell turned off her phone, too afraid to look. It was truly enough to ruin one’s appetite.

The police hadn’t found any suspects; the scene was exceptionally clean.

It didn’t seem like something one person could do; it appeared to be organized with a clear motive.

On Beau Morgan’s side, she had already been detained. Evidence was piled in front of her, making denial impossible.

Her mother, Lynn Boyle, fell ill upon hearing the bad news and now hasn’t anyone to care for her.

Sophia looked at the man cleaning the tulips beside her, "Did you really not do anything regarding Drake Morgan?"

He sorted through the tulips sent by Faye Ellison, tossing them into the trash and carefully changed the water for the remaining flowers.

Today, upon learning Faye Ellison and Professor Carter were visiting the sick, he rushed back immediately.

He only completed half of his work, leaving the rest to Ethan Sinclair.

Meanwhile, Ethan Sinclair was at SY Studio assisting Hugh Irving, too lazy to care.

"Work is never as important as charm."

"Money can be earned again, but once a girl is missed, she’s gone."

"Murder and arson are against the law, I wouldn’t dare." Zane Sterling wiped the water from his hands.

He couldn’t possibly admit to it; in front of his wife he had to be charming and rich, this burden he couldn’t shoulder.

Sophia Lowell ate while observing him, pondering about his expression.

Zane Sterling turned his head to her, "What’s with that look?"

Sophia Lowell gave a dry laugh but didn’t respond.

Meanwhile.

In the Lynch Family’s ancestral hall.

Old Master Lynch sat in a chair, staring at Shelley Lynch kneeling rigidly on the floor without a trace of pity, his eyes sharply sweeping through everyone like a thorn.

Beside Old Master Lynch were Yana Lowell and Finn Lynch, neither dared to plead for her.

Ian Lynch stood with his hands in his pockets, indifferent to the extreme.

Shelley Lynch had been kneeling in the hall all night, her legs were numb, her lips pale and cracked from fasting.

She supported her weight on the floor with her hands, hoping to relieve some of the pressure, her wrists trembling, even the small muscles on her cheeks quivering.

"Think it through before you speak." Old Master Lynch said indifferently, his hand gripping the cane slightly tighter.

"Grandfather, it really wasn’t me..."

Shelley Lynch’s dry lips whispered the words, weak and brittle, as if a slight breeze could topple her over.

Old Master Lynch squinted.

Normally, their arrogance wouldn’t involve Old Master Lynch; he’s been retired for a long time, living in the countryside.

Now, Willow Sterling is finally pregnant, and Ian Lynch is the only son of the family. Willow’s pregnancy is their most cherished, not to be troubled in any way.

The Lynch Family is a family of scholars, except Finn Lynch’s mediocrity, now the family’s burden rests on Ian Lynch.

Finn Lynch can only occasionally help manage the Lowell Family business with Yana Lowell, hoping to hold a minor position; aspirations for greatness were indeed challenging.

But he doesn’t enjoy battling in the business field, he knows his own abilities.

Old Master Lynch is troubled. Initially, with the Lowell Family and Ian Lynch, he thought the Lynch Family wouldn’t descend into a disgraceful state; he didn’t anticipate this mess caused by the young girl.

The last time she entered Zane Sterling’s room, Old Master Lynch was furious.

Since Finn Lynch and Yana Lowell couldn’t manage, and Ian Lynch couldn’t either, he had to return from the countryside to discipline this defiant child.

"Dad, Shelley wouldn’t lie, there must be some misunderstanding..." Finn Lynch felt pity for his daughter.

"Do you want to kneel for her?" Old Master Lynch glared at him.

Finn Lynch quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak.

"The situation has been thoroughly investigated. The studio fire was caused by Aunt Carter deliberately charging a damaged power bank, leading to a circuit failure. She accepted your money half a month ago, the transfer records remain, Aunt Carter also points to you. There’s hard evidence and witness testimony, how can you still argue?"

Old Master Lynch angrily smashed the tea cup beside Shelley Lynch, shards flew everywhere, cutting her fair arm.

"..." She dared not breathe.

Finn Lynch tried to intervene but was stopped by Yana Lowell.

If Shelley Lynch isn’t suppressed, even if she gets married in the future, it won’t be good.

"Half a month ago, I did borrow three thousand from her. Aunt Carter is our neighbor from the countryside, she was kind to me before, and when she asked me, I couldn’t refuse." Shelley Lynch defended herself.

"But I definitely did not instruct her to do such a thing; my sister-in-law treats me well, I have no reason to harm her..."

Shelley Lynch shuffled forward on her knees, attempting to open a crack in Old Master Lynch’s heart for sympathy, "Besides, half a month ago I was abroad, many things I simply didn’t know..."

"Even if Willow doesn’t hold a grudge, how could Old Master Lowell spare you?" Old Master Lynch felt ashamed of his granddaughter.

He said: "Old Master Lowell spent half his life searching for his daughter, and previously you made life difficult for them over shares. Now that this has happened, do you think Old Master Lowell is lenient? It’s already generous he hasn’t confronted you."

Ian Lynch sneered coldly, "If something happens to Willow, even if no one else acts, I’ll break your legs first."

Shelley Lynch slightly lifted her face, her neck stiff in the air.

She was now at a loss for words, every explanation further incriminating her.

She admitted she indeed had selfish intents, but she wouldn’t confess to things she hadn’t done!

The words Ian Lynch spoke to her that day were still vivid in her mind.

Who is Ian Lynch? Ian Lynch is now the head of the Lynch Family; he ignores minor matters and seldom cares for major ones, but when he speaks, the family listens.

That day his sudden slap terrified her, how could she dare to do such things? 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

No matter how she thought, she couldn’t comprehend why Aunt Carter would lie; she clearly lent her money in need, only to be backstabbed...

"Tomorrow, go to the hospital and apologize to Willow, and also to that young lady. She has status and position despite her age, and hasn’t come after you till now, showing you respect." Old Master Lynch rose slowly.

Old Master Lynch has lived most of his life, how could he not anticipate this layer?

Sophia Lowell is capable herself, backed by Zane Sterling; if she wanted trouble, Shelley Lynch wouldn’t know how many times she’d be in distress.

Shelley Lynch felt aggrieved, why!

"I..." I’m not wrong.

She wanted to say, but couldn’t, only swallowing it dryly.

What else could she do?

With evidence and witnesses against her, nobody believed her regardless of her pleas.

Ultimately, she had caused trouble herself, leaving others with no reason to trust her anymore.

Now even Yana Lowell and Finn Lynch didn’t dare to protect her; if she didn’t agree, likely she would have to kneel here another night, and her legs would truly be ruined.

"I understand..." she swallowed her disgrace and agreed.

Old Master Lynch left.

Finn Lynch and Yana Lowell hurried over to support her.

Shelley Lynch collapsed on the ground, completely unable to stand, the remaining strength all spent on breathing.

Ian Lynch glanced at her; not feeling sorry is a lie, but mostly he was frustrated by her inadequacy.

"Have a good rest; I’ll go with you tomorrow." Ian Lynch said.

"Brother!" Shelley Lynch urgently called him.

Since Ian Lynch said he would go with her, it meant he wouldn’t let her suffer too much, but she didn’t want it to end this way.

"Brother, it really wasn’t me..." Shelley Lynch sincerely looked at him, as if seeking a sliver of trust.

Ian Lynch pondered for two seconds, Shelley Lynch typically didn’t lie, but who knew.

The situation had already unfolded into this.