Chapter 4 Disappointed
997 Words
Lauren stood before Regina, her expression stern. "That's ridiculous! My daughter would never do such a thing!"
Allison cast a cold glance at the Cresswells, all of whom were clearly hesitating to accept it.
See? Even with the truth staring them in the face, they still couldn't bring themselves to believe it.
But it didn't matter. Allison had the proof she needed to expose Regina's hypocrisy.
Barry gritted his teeth and quickly unlocked his phone. "I have a recording of my conversation with Regina, and the transaction records of the money she paid me!"
What the hell? He recorded their conversation?
As the recording started to play, Regina immediately tried to snatch the phone, but Allison was a step ahead.
She stared at Regina coldly. "What are you trying to do, my dear sister?"
With that, a recording of Regina bribing the chauffeur to screw Allison up blared through the banquet hall.
Regina shuddered, her face pale. She was done!
The mistress' daughter had set the legitimate daughter up? This bombshell made the guests erupt in outrage.
Byron's veins throbbed with fury. "It was you! I've loved you so dearly all these years, and you turned out to be so vicious!"
Regina put on her best innocent face. "No, Grandpa! How could you think your sweet, naive granddaughter did such a thing? That recording has to be fake!"
Though she denied it, deep down, she was seething with the desire to claw Allison's face off.
She pretended to cry, tears streaming down her face, playing on Lauren's sympathy.
"Everyone knows my daughter is an angel. She would never do something like this!"
Regina's reputation as the perfect daughter was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds. Lauren pursed her lips. "Holden, it must be that chauffeur! He was trying to shift the blame and make things up. You and Dad can't fall for it!"
She then turned to Byron and continued, "Dad, Regina is also your granddaughter. Why are you so aggressive? Are you trying to get her arrested over this?"
Byron's heart softened immediately. "She..." he sighed. "Why was she thinking? That's not like her."
Holden was furious at Regina for setting Allison up, but she was still his granddaughter.
And while Byron had never been fond of Lauren, when push came to shove, he couldn't help but side them.
Watching from the side, Allison felt a sharp pain in her heart. It was clear now that Byron's affection for her had always been superficial.
Deep down, he had never truly considered her family.
Allison had long understood this reality, but she wouldn't let Regina off so easily.
Seeing Byron waver, Lauren continued to persuade, "Professor Hudson will be here tonight, and you know how much he values Regina. You don't want this to jeopardize her future, do you?"
Byron still hesitated, remaining silent.
However, Regina was indeed very smart. She immediately grabbed Allison's sleeve and pleaded, "I know you've been wronged, sister. Hit me if you want!"
Allison looked coldly at Regina and her mother, both putting on a show. This whole act made them out to be the victims.
She shook off Regina's hand. "Grandpa, what are you going to do about this?" She stared into Byron's eyes, her gaze piercing.
Byron couldn't bring himself to look at her. "Regina, you need to apologize to Allison for what happened today and promise it won't happen again!"
Allison stood silently to the side, feeling disappointed with Byron's decision.
But she understood Byron's decision. After all... he couldn't exactly throw Regina in jail.
Allison had never expected the Cresswells to truly punish Regina. She would have to take matters into her own hands.
"Regina, apologize to your sister right now!" Lauren shouted.
Regina had no choice but to step forward, gritting her teeth. "Allison, I'm so sorry. It was all my fault. I promise it won't happen again. Please forgive me."
Byron looked at Allison hesitantly. "Allison, about this whole thing..."
Allison's cold eyes met his. "Do you actually want to hear my answer?"
Byron felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. Allison's expression told him that she was slipping further and further away.
She must be utterly disappointed in him. Byron sighed heavily.
Lauren quickly took Allison's hand warmly. "Allison, Professor Hudson is on his way. He's here specifically to see Regina. You should meet him with her."
"No need!" Allison snapped disdainfully, yanking her hand away.
Lauren's face stiffened. Allison really had the nerve to embarrass her like this!
In the end, the whole incident was brushed under the rug due to Charles' arrival, leaving Allison thoroughly disgruntled.
A short while later, someone announced, "Professor Hudson is here."
The Cresswells quickly stood up to greet him, except for Allison, who remained seated.
Soon, Charles entered the banquet hall with an assistant.
"Professor Hudson, welcome! Thank you for joining us at my birthday celebration," Byron immediately walked over to greet him.
"Mr. Cresswell, it's my pleasure." Charles smiled, handing him a gift. "Happy birthday!"
Byron was flattered. Charles was a titan in New York's academic circles, rarely seen at social events. Byron hadn't even expected him to bring a gift.
He seized the moment to introduce Regina. "Professor Hudson, this is my granddaughter, Regina."
Regina offered a graceful curtsy. "It's an honor to meet you, Professor Hudson."
The other guests couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
After all, anyone chosen by Charles was practically guaranteed to be a genius. Who wouldn't want their child to become someone exceptional?
But Charles glanced at Regina with a frown and corrected. "No, Mr. Cresswell, I'm not looking for this granddaughter of yours."
Lauren immediately spoke up, "Professor Hudson, it was me who reached out to you. Regina is my daughter. Didn't you come to my father's birthday party because of her?"
Charles' frown deepened. "Who told you that? I came because I heard the eldest lady of the Cresswell family would be here. Where is she, anyway?"
- Writer
