Sophie Lawson observed the strange looks on the guests' faces, and even Bruce Lawson wore an expression of anger. She knew that if they didn't handle this situation properly, she would bear the brunt of the consequences once the birthday celebration ended. She quickly exchanged a glance with Lola Lawson.

Despite Freya Lawson drinking the entire glass of water laced with a drug, it seemed that nothing had transpired between her and the man. Sophie Lawson began to suspect that perhaps they had already engaged in the act. If that were the case, there should be some evidence left on the bed. After all, due to Bradley Austin's disability, Freya Lawson should remain physically untouched.

Understanding her mother's intentions, Lola Lawson entered the room and lifted the bedsheets, revealing a conspicuous bloodstain. She pretended to be surprised as she exclaimed, "Mom, Dad, why is there blood on the bed?"

It was the first time, and there was blood...

Bruce Lawson, his anger simmering, approached to take a closer look and indeed saw a red stain on the bedsheet. The guests who followed suit were all experienced individuals and immediately recognized what it was.

Bruce Lawson's furious gaze turned towards Freya Lawson, his anger reaching a boiling point. He moved closer, his voice filled with rage, and shouted, "You shameless, despicable girl! You've completely tarnished the reputation of the Lawson family."

He raised his hand to slap her, but before he could strike, Freya Lawson clenched her fists tightly, having correctly guessed her father's intentions. He had believed someone else without asking a single question and was now eager to beat her senseless.

She decided not to retaliate physically. Instead, she closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable slap, knowing that she would sever all father-daughter ties from this moment forward.

However, the anticipated pain never came. After waiting for a while, Freya Lawson opened her eyes and was surprised to see Bradley Austin standing in front of her. His slender but strong hand had intercepted Bruce Lawson's incoming slap.

"Bruce Lawson, without asking a single question, you blindly believed that your daughter and I had engaged in an inappropriate relationship. Isn't that a grossly irresponsible act for a father?" Bradley Austin's voice was cold and stern, and he put pressure on Bruce Lawson's hand, causing him to grimace in pain.

Bruce Lawson, his facial expression distorted from the pain, shouted, "Who are you? You've insulted my daughter! If you don't give me an explanation today, you won't leave this place!"

Bradley Austin heard this and narrowed his icy gaze, radiating an even more menacing aura. While the others couldn't discern the force he was exerting, Bruce Lawson's contorted expression clearly demonstrated his suffering.

In the oppressive silence, faint sounds of bones cracking could be heard. Still, Bradley Austin's face remained shrouded in a layer of frost, and his entire being exuded a chilling presence that discouraged anyone from approaching.

"I am simply here to listen to Miss Freya Lawson's beautiful singing. Bruce Lawson, you are her father. Shouldn't you protect your daughter from harm? As a father, you blindly believed accusations without seeking any explanation. May I ask, Bruce Lawson, are you even fit to be called a father?!"

The man's voice was menacing and ice-cold, further darkening Bruce Lawson's already troubled expression.

Bruce Lawson attempted to speak, but with a sharp "crack," his hand was dislocated.

With a sharp cry of pain, Bruce Lawson stumbled onto the sofa behind him. Freya Lawson watched in astonishment as Adams, the man she had just met, unexpectedly came to her defense. His inquiry, "I Must inquire, Bruce Lawson, do you even qualify to be addressed as a father?" resonated with her inner thoughts perfectly. She, too, wished to scrutinize her father's fitness for parenthood.

Throughout the years, she had endured relentless abuse and mistreatment from her stepmother, Sophie Lawson, and stepsister, Lola Lawson. Bruce Lawson had never displayed any concern for her suffering, often labeling her as a "neglected burden" and turning a blind eye to her agony. Today, they had conspired against her, and she felt no obligation to extend them any leniency.

Freya Lawson blinked, feigning fear as she uttered, "I haven't... done anything to bring shame upon the Lawson family!" Bruce Lawson, his hand throbbing with pain, was infuriated. He exclaimed, "Freya Lawson, you ungrateful wretch! Collaborating with outsiders to betray your own father! Everyone can see the unmistakable evidence on the bed. Do you think we are all blind? Don't you know what you've done?"

"Dad, haven't you noticed the injury on my hand?" Freya Lawson deliberately displayed her injured wrist to the onlookers. To counteract the drug's effects, she had used a silver needle to prick her vein, causing a minor puncture that had left a faint bloodstain on the bedsheet.

The guests, finally noticing the bloodstain on Freya Lawson's wrist, realized that it was all a misunderstanding. In high society, where scandal was always lurking, everyone was eager for a spectacle, but now it seemed the situation had been exaggerated.

Sophie Lawson, her face pale, understood that if she didn't defuse the situation, it would spiral out of control. If Bruce Lawson discovered her involvement in this scheme, she would face dire consequences.

"Oh my, since Freya Lawson is innocent, let's all disperse," Sophie Lawson hastily suggested. "Patrick, it's time to cut the cake downstairs, and everyone should enjoy themselves."

But Freya Lawson couldn't let it go. She had been wronged and had to set the record straight. "No, we Must investigate this thoroughly, or else Mr. Mo... he might become upset."

Bruce Lawson, his anger and pain mingling, was on the verge of complying. Freya Lawson clenched her fist tightly. This was her father, the one who had turned a blind eye to her suffering all these years. When her mother had been humiliated and driven away, he had merely uttered, "Get out, you shameless woman," without a hint of pity. Yet, she had tirelessly built the Lawson family's fortune from the ground up.

Now, it was her turn to question him: was he truly fit to be called a father?