Back at the Scott Villa—

Bryer lost all his composure the moment he heard his mother.

His lips parted slightly as he was about to defend Adelyn—

But then he stopped himself.

He closed his mouth, realizing that no matter what he said, it wouldn’t help.

Turning to Liam, he stared at him, as if waiting for him to speak instead.

But when Liam remained silent, Bryer finally asked,

"Do you think the same as her?"

Liam met his gaze.

However, before he could say anything, Bryer shook his head, dismissing it altogether.

"Actually ... I don’t care whether you think so or not," he said, raising his hands in sarcastic surrender. "I’ve had enough of this already."

His voice turned firm.

"I trust Adelyn. She’s my sister. I grew up with her —I know she wouldn’t do something like this."

And with that, he gave one last glance at his mother and Clara—

Then turned and walked away.

Clara’s fingers clenched when she heard the unwavering trust in Bryer’s words.

However, she didn’t let it show on her face.

Instead, she turned and gently placed her hand over Charlotte’s, giving it a soft ... reassuring pat.

"Mom, don’t be upset by Bryer’s words," she said gently. "He just loves Adelyn too much."

Charlotte heard her—

But her frown only deepened.

Shaking her head, she said, "Loving someone doesn’t mean supporting them regardless of right and wrong."

"I love Adelyn too. She’s my daughter. But that doesn’t mean I would let her misdeeds slide. If she staged the kidnapping, she must take responsibility for it."

All she wanted was for Adelyn to admit her mistake and apologize.

As long as she did that—

Charlotte wouldn’t pursue the matter any further.

She would forget everything, forgive her, and bring her back into the family.

Clara didn’t know the exact thoughts running through her mother’s mind.

But hearing such firm words against Adelyn—

She felt a sense of satisfaction.

However—

Just then—

Liam spoke.

"Mom, Adelyn wouldn’t do something like that."

Charlotte frowned when she heard him.

But Liam didn’t try to coax her.

Instead, he continued, "I know what you’re thinking, Mom. But ... pushing the blame onto her instead of accepting things won’t bring Adelyn back."

His voice turned serious.

"It will only push her further away. So ... don’t do it."

Clara’s brows furrowed.

For a moment, she didn’t understand.

She had thought her mother was simply angry with Adelyn.

But now, hearing Liam—

It felt like she had misunderstood her mother’s intentions.

Her nails dug into her palms, the sting sharp against her skin.

Why was everyone thinking about Adelyn?

Had she suddenly become invisible to them?

Charlotte’s expression turned bitter as she heard even her most obedient child speak to her this way.

"You think I’m doing this just to bring Adelyn back?" she asked.

Liam didn’t answer.

He could tell—

His mother herself hadn’t fully realized her intentions.

But he could see what the desperation in her heart was driving her to do.

"Liam, how could you think of me like that? I wouldn’t—"

"Mom," Liam interrupted gently but firmly, "I know you love Adelyn just as much as you love us."

He paused briefly.

"But I also know we have wronged her. If she blames us now ... we deserve it."

With that, he pushed his chair back and stood up.

Glancing toward Clara, he adjusted his suit and said, "I’m done here. I’ll head to the company first. You too finish and meet me there. I have something to tell you."

Clara nodded.

He cast one last glance toward his mother—

But when Charlotte didn’t look at him, he didn’t stay any longer.

He turned and left.

Clara watched him leave—

Then slowly turned back toward her mother.

Her jaw clenched slightly.

But she composed herself before speaking again.

"Mom, I also think what Liam said was right," she said softly. "Blaming Adelyn will only push her further away. If you really want her back, I can go to her and bring her."

Charlotte immediately turned to look at her, her expression turning complicated ... 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Clara met her gaze and nodded reassuringly.

"I can do it. Trust me!"

She paused before adding, "I believe that as long as I beg her ... she’ll forgive us."

"No," Charlotte frowned immediately. "Why would you go and beg her to return?"

Clara gave a weak smile and slowly shook her head.

"It’s okay, Mom. Begging doesn’t matter as long as she comes back."

Her voice softened further.

"I can’t stand seeing you lose face in front of Liam and Bryer just because you’re trying to bring her back."

"If you want her back so much ... then as your daughter, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make things easier for you."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"I ... can’t bear to see you being misunderstood like that."

Charlotte’s heart ached at her words. She reached out and held Clara’s hand, shaking her head at her.

"No, Clara. You’ve misunderstood me."

Clara looked at her, pretending to be confused.

Charlotte nodded and explained, "Bryer misunderstood me. Liam misunderstood me. And now —even you are misunderstanding me."

She paused before continuing, "I do want Adelyn back. But if she really staged that kidnapping seven years ago ... I will not forgive her for it. She did not just put herself at risk; she put you through it too. And for that, I won’t simply forgive her."

"You really doubt her, Mom?" Clara asked, her gaze turning hopeful.

Charlotte didn’t notice her gaze, but her expression turned solemn.

"I don’t want to," she admitted. "But I can’t ignore the indifference she’s showing us now. It feels like she has completely let go of us."

If she really did ...

Wouldn’t that be better?

Clara thought silently.

As long as Adelyn left for good—

Everything would belong to her.

Just her.

"Mom, if you really want to find out the truth, I can look into it," Clara suggested.

Charlotte looked at her in surprise.

"You can?"

Clara nodded.

"I can," she said, slowly adding with a faint smile, "Living with you all, I’ve learned a lot. I’ll help you find out whether Adelyn was truly involved in staging the kidnapping seven years ago."

As long as she could prove it—

Adelyn would lose the sympathy that was keeping everyone tied to her.

And then—

The family would belong to her.

Everyone—

Would belong to her alone.