Chapter 4
699words
She likely expected Old Mr. Hawkins to bestow some generous gift, judging by the saccharine smile plastered on her face.
Upon entering the study and assessing the atmosphere, her smile faltered briefly before she swiftly recovered her composure.
"Grandfather, you called for me?" She glided affectionately toward Old Mr. Hawkins, reaching for his arm.
Old Mr. Hawkins deftly sidestepped her touch.
"Pamela Gray," he began, his voice grave, "tell me truthfully—ten years ago, was it you who rescued Ethan from the fire?"
Pamela faltered momentarily before straightening her spine and answering without hesitation. "Yes, Grandfather. Haven't I told you this story many times?"
"Then tell me," Old Mr. Hawkins's voice turned razor-sharp, "where exactly was Ethan injured? How did you get him out of the fire? What color was the shirt he was wearing?"
The barrage of questions left Pamela visibly flustered.
She stammered, her face paling. "I—I was so terrified at the time... I can't recall the details..."
"If you can't remember, I'll refresh your memory!" Old Mr. Hawkins slammed his fist on the desk, pointing at me. "That scar on Zoe's back—dare you claim you don't recognize it?"
Pamela followed his gesture, and when she met the calm in my eyes, sheer panic overtook her.
"No—that's not—Grandpa, please, let me explain!" She waved her hands frantically. "It's her! That conniving bitch Zoe is lying to you! The scar on her back was from her own stupidity—it has nothing to do with me!"
Even now, she refused to yield.
I gently tugged down the collar at my nape, revealing just the upper portion of my scar.
"Sister," I said softly, "have you forgotten? When we were children, you constantly mocked this scar. You called me a monster and said no one would ever marry me."
The blood drained from Pamela's face in an instant.
Leo Lambert sensed the shift in the room. He glanced between Pamela and me, his eyes wide with shock and growing suspicion.
"Pamela, what's going on here—"
"Shut up!" Pamela shrieked at him before throwing herself at Old Mr. Hawkins's feet, sobbing hysterically. "Grandfather, I was wrong—so terribly wrong! I was confused back then. I loved Ethan so much, and I feared you wouldn't let me near him—that's why I lied! Please forgive me!"
"Get out."
Old Mr. Hawkins stared down at the weeping Pamela at his feet, his eyes devoid of emotion—showing only bone-chilling coldness and utter disgust.
"From this moment forward, the Hawkins estate is closed to you—and to everyone bearing the Gray name."
He turned to Leo Lambert, his voice carrying a clear warning. "And you—keep your people on a tighter leash."
Leo Lambert's face cycled between ashen and pale. He glanced at Pamela's crumpled form on the floor, but ultimately chose to drag her out without another word.
The study fell into heavy silence.
Old Mr. Hawkins looked at me, guilt and heartache brimming in his eyes.
"Zoe, the Hawkins family has wronged you terribly."
I shook my head and said softly, "Grandfather, what's done is done."
From that day forward, my position in the Hawkins household transformed dramatically.
Franklin and the servants treated me with profound respect, no longer daring to show even a hint of neglect.
Old Mr. Hawkins treated me like his own flesh and blood, showing constant care and consideration. He canceled the black card Pamela had taken, issuing a new one exclusively for me, placing it directly in my hands.
As for the Gray family, once the Hawkins family made clear their intention to sever all ties, they descended into utter chaos.
My parents bombarded me with calls—first with demands and curses, eventually degrading to desperate pleas and tearful begging, imploring me to intercede with Old Mr. Hawkins on their behalf.
I ignored every single call.
They redirected their fury toward Pamela.
Word reached me that my father had beaten Pamela and confined her to her room. Leo Lambert had apparently had a massive fight with her and hadn't been seen for days.
I received this news with utter indifference.
This was merely the interest on their debt.
The principal amount—I hadn't even begun to collect that yet.
