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"Hmph, you sure as heck want me to be asleep, don't you? As long as I'm out cold, no one
will be around to settle scores with you, right?"
Old Master Mallory lifted his gaze ever so slightly, peering at her face adorned with an
ingratiating smile. His gaze took on a subtle chill.
"Father, what in the world are you talking about? I can't make heads or tails of it." Karen's
smiling face froze for a moment. Even though she claimed not to understand, deep down,
she knew what he was talking about.
"Show her the documents." Old Master Mallory ignored Karen's act of ignorance and spoke
to Mr. Bennet.
Karen looked at Mr. Bennet, realizing for the first time that he was holding a stack of
documents.
Mr. Bennet handed the documents to Karen. "Madam, please take a look."
Karen furrowed her brows and opened the documents. Just by reading the beginning, she
knew what kind of information it contained.
These were the documents Luke sent to Old Master Mallory. It was the evidence of Karen,
along with Margaret and Myra, leaking the rumored relationship between Luke and Luca to
the press.
Karen's hands trembled slightly. Before she saw these documents, she thought the
conspiracy she had orchestrated was flawless. However, Luke had gathered so much
evidence. Not only that, he had given it all to Old Master Mallory...
Karen felt a surge of anger with nowhere to vent.
She had no evidence to prove what Luke had done. On the flip side, she believed she had
been discreet about what she did.
Even the locations she picked for discussions were places she was familiar with, like that
coffee shop. It seemed impossible for anyone to eavesdrop on those conversations.
However, Luke's people still managed to dig up the dirt.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe had spent a fortune on this too. Why was the person she hired so different from Luke's
men?
Karen closed the documents, choosing not to delve further. Even if she did, she knew it
would not make much difference because the evidence was right there. Continuing to read
would not alter the current situation.
"Father..." Karen sat on the single sofa on the other side, awkwardly putting the
documents back on the coffee table.
"Did I not warn you before you did this? I told you not to act recklessly. I told you not to go
after Luke. Did I not remind you?" Old Master Mallory did not give her a chance to argue.
Karen lowered her eyes slightly, reluctantly nodding.
People often thought they might get lucky, and she was no exception. When Old Master
Mallory warned and reminded her, she thought being a bit more careful would prevent
Luke from finding her trail.
That way, she could also help Pierre vent his frustrations.
"So what did you do?" Old Master Mallory pointed at the documents on the table.
"Did you think doing things on the sly would be a seamless plan? Others have long seen
through everything you've done. Do you think you're capable? Karen, after you married
into the Mallory family, I cleaned up a lot of messes for you because of Daryl's mistake.
"People see you as the savvy daughter-in-law of the Mallory family, but how many messes
have I cleaned up for you? Not only did you not listen to me, but you also provoked Luke
at a time like this.
"Today, you went to him with your so-called evidence, right? Did you succeed in making
him admit to what he did? Did you succeed in getting an apology?
“From what I know, not only did you not succeed, but you were also asked to leave. I know
about all the foolish things you've done. Just because of what you've done, I don't even
have the courage to face those friends of mine. Karen, you've really embarrassed me!"
Karen's face changed, alternating between white and red as she received the scolding.
She did not think what she did was that serious, but she had to let the old master cool
down.
"Father, Luke Crawford is too cunning..."
"Instead of avoiding such a cunning person, you went to provoke him. Karen, don't you
think the family has enough trouble?" Old Master Mallory thought of the embarrassment
he faced and vented his frustration toward her.
They were no longer in the previous generation. Otherwise, Karen would have been
punished and sent to the ancestral hall a long time ago!
It seemed like not only was the Crawford family's daughter-in-law out of line, but the
Mallory family was pretty off-kilter too.
Karen was getting chewed out, and she could not even catch a breath. Deep down, she
was still feeling resentful. Why was she the one getting scolded...
She did not do these things willingly. If Luke had not gone too far, would she have resorted
to such sneaky actions?
Karen considered herself someone who did not go looking for trouble. She thought all this
was just a response to Luke pushing her to the edge.
Even though both sides had taken action against each other, it now looked like she was
the one taking the bigger hit.
The evidence against Luke had not been found yet.
"Father, I didn't mean to cause trouble for the Mallory family. If this thing comes back to
bite us, let it bite me. I'll take responsibility for my actions." Karen planned to take it all
herself, thinking Old Master Mallory would not blame her then.
"Hmph, you think you can handle it?" Old Master Mallory thought he heard a massive joke.
"With the evidence Luke has now, if he takes you to court, who will be the one losing face?
It's you and the Mallory family. The future cooperation between the Crawford and Mallory
families will also be at risk. Can you deal with all that?"
Karen wanted to insist she could handle it.
However, realistically, she could not...
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Old Master Mallory continued, "I told you, you need to find evidence if you suspect Luke
Crawford. Now, the evidence is nowhere to be found, and you've embarrassed us.
"Tomorrow, you're coming with me to Crawford Manor to apologize. Then, you're moving
out of Mallory Manor!"
"Father, I don't want to move out!" Karen protested at the thought of leaving the Mallory
Manor.
It was not that living elsewhere would be worse. She would actually have more freedom
than at Mallory Manor, but she did not want that kind of freedom.
She wanted to hold onto everything within the Mallory family for Pierre. Moving out would
mean losing many opportunities to gather information.
"This is not up to you. I'm giving you a heads-up, and I have already given you a chance.
Since you're dead set on blaming Luke but you can't find any evidence, you'll have to
move out.
"Karen, if it weren't for you provoking Luke, he wouldn't be doing this to you. Even if you
can't find evidence, you need to clarify the rumors online as soon as possible," added Old
Master Mallory without listening to any more of her explanations or pleas.
Ever since he learned about Karen's past, Old Master Mallory understood that his son's
affair and choice to be with another woman might have been justified.
If Daryl were truly unfaithful, he would have been involved with other women during his
years abroad. However, there was only one foreign woman.
Old Master Mallory remembered how he had supported Karen for over 20 years, and he
felt betrayed. "I've already arranged for Mr. Bennet to prepare a villa for you. After you
apologize at Crawford Manor tomorrow, you'll move there right away. Don't bother me if
there's nothing else."
Old Master Mallory rose to his feet. With Mr. Bennet's help, he headed to his bedroom.
Back then, no matter how much Karen caused trouble at home, he would turn a blind eye
out of guilt.
Now, Old Master Mallory could not hold back anymore. He no longer wanted to forgive
Karen for her absurd actions.
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