Regret Is Only the Beginning - Chapter 22

On the day of the trial, as soon as I stepped out of the house, I saw Logan leaning against his car and looking over at me.

He wasn’t the kind of man whose looks were striking at first glance, but the longer one watched him, the more his quiet charm became apparent. My gaze lingered on his fingers for a moment before I calmly looked away.

“Why are you here?”

“To pick you up.”

Logan walked over like a gentleman and opened the car door for me. “Come on. I’ll take you to court.”

We arrived together. As soon as we stepped out of the car, Evie came over and looped her arm around mine in an overly familiar way.

“Jillian, is this Mr. Harmon?”

I coldly pulled my arm back.

“Hello, I’m Logan Harmon. I’m…” He glanced at me before continuing, “I’m Jillian’s friend.”

Evie didn’t feel awkward at all.

“Oh, so you’re just a friend. But Jillian must trust you a lot. She’s even told you about how she refused to hand over the company her brother rightfully deserves…”

She suddenly gasped, covering her mouth in mock distress. “Jillian, does Mr. Harmon not know? Oh dear, did I just say something I shouldn’t have?”

I slapped her across the face. “Since you know your mistakes, remember not to repeat them next time.”

Evie’s eyes brimmed with tears as she held her cheek.

“Jillian, I know you’re upset about handing the company to Archie, so you’re taking it out on me. If it makes you feel better, I don’t mind if you slap me a hundred times. But that won’t solve anything, will it, Mr. Harmon?”

She turned her tear–streaked face at Logan. Most importantly, even as she cried, her lips maintained a perfectly shaped smile, making her look like a delicate flower.

“Indeed.” Logan nodded.

Just as Evie was about to beam, Logan added, “But if Jill slaps you a hundred times, her hand will start to hurt. Since you’re so eager to sacrifice yourself, why not just slap yourself a hundred times instead?”

Evie’s smile froze.

Logan’s expression turned cold. “Or would you like me to help?”

Evie hesitated, then raised her hand. She had barely managed three weak slaps when Archie stormed over and pulled her behind him protectively.

“What is wrong with you, Jillian? Evie did nothing to you, but you’ve never liked her from the start! And now you’re pushing her to this extent? Do you even know she’s pregnant?”

Just the sight of Archie irritated me.

“Logan, if you beat him up for me, I’ll owe you a favor.”

“Consider it done.”

Less than five minutes later, both Archie and Evie were thrown out of my sight.

During the trial, Archie and Evie limped into the courtroom, taking their places at the plaintiff’s table.

Grandma’s lawyer argued that I was heartless and unwilling to share my wealth with Archie. They even requested the court to officially sever my ties with the Houghton family.

The judge turned to my side.

My lawyer, Beckham Herring, said, “A year ago, the plaintiff, Archie Houghton, incurred a massive gambling debt, forcing the Houghton family’s company to be mortgaged. Ms. Houghton had to risk everything to pay off his debt.

“Yet despite enjoying all the privileges of being a Houghton, Mr. Houghton has never once shouldered any of his responsibilities. Therefore, the plaintiff’s claims are entirely unfounded.”

“That’s a lie!” Archie shouted, “Jillian was still working at the company. How could it not belong to our family?”

“I trust the judge will come to the correct conclusion after reviewing the submitted documents.” Beckham adjusted his glasses.

He continued, “Furthermore, for years, every single expense of the Houghton family was paid for by Ms. Houghton. In the past three months alone, the plaintiff has used my client’s personal funds to purchase a diamond ring and a sports car for his girlfriend.

“Before this trial, Mrs. Houghton Senior personally stated that she did not expect Ms. Houghton to provide financial support. However, the truth is, Ms. Houghton has been the sole provider for this family for years.”

The three people at the plaintiff’s table looked shell–shocked.

In the end, the court ruled that Archie wouldn’t get a single penny, and he even had to compensate me.

Outside the courthouse, Grandma clung to Archie for support, mumbling in disbelief. “How could this happen? How could this happen…”

Then, she spotted me and immediately flared up. “You! You did this! Give me back my money! Give it back!”

Logan shielded me as I calmly replied, “You brought this on yourselves.”

We turned and left.

Behind us, Grandma’s wails drew a crowd. But with everyone aware of what she had done, there was little sympathy for her. If anything, they felt she had brought it on herself.