In the hall.

The sofa was filled with people, but the atmosphere was extremely heavy.

Arthur and his wife, along with Jinny, were also invited. The entire family hung their heads, too scared to speak.

Soon, Ethan and Lola were brought in.

Upon entering the hall, Ethan grumbled defiantly, "Grandpa, I'm not feeling well. Can't we talk about this tomorrow?"

"Kneel down!"

Mr. Austin, already furious, was further angered by his unyielding attitude, and he shouted while banging his cane.

Ethan didn't kneel, stiffening his neck. "Grandpa, what have I done wrong again? Why should I kneel?"

"What have you done wrong? Don't you know it in your heart?" Mr. Austin was furious, blowing his beard, and glared, "Let me ask you, what have you been up to today?"

"I haven't done anything. I've just been resting in my room. My legs aren't even healed yet," Ethan said nervously. Of course, he wouldn't mention the hours he spent passionately entangled with Lola in the room.

"Resting?" Mr. Austin laughed angrily and said sternly, "You led Freya to the back mountain, sealed off the entrance and exit, and had Bradley go up the mountain to rescue her. Are you trying to trap them both to their deaths?"

Ethan felt guilty but didn't admit it. "Grandpa, I didn't."

"You scoundrel! Still won't admit it! If it weren't for that, why would Miss Lawson be at the old mansion?"

"It's because we're in love. Lola knew my legs were injured, so she came to take care of me," Ethan said matter-of-factly.

Lydia nudged Arthur, indicating that he should speak up for their son. But Arthur kept his head down, too scared to utter a word.

This matter was planned together by them. Now that Bradley and Freya were unharmed, Mr. Austin would definitely investigate to the end. If he spoke now, it would only make matters worse.

Lydia berated her as "ineffective," insisting on advocating for her son. "Dad, I haven't mentioned this before. Lola and Ethan share a strong bond. They're deeply in love. You don't understand the dynamics of young relationships. Initially, their love was passionate and intimate."

"Shut up. I didn't ask for your opinion," Mr. Austin scolded Lydia harshly, aware that she was avoiding the main issue.

"If their affection is genuine, why did they have such a heated confrontation at Bruce Lawson's birthday party?" Mr. Austin snorted and glanced at Lola. "Furthermore, our family values lineage and education. Miss Lawson has been involved in questionable relationships with other men before and is not suitable to be the granddaughter-in-law of the Austin family."

This made it clear; he held Lola in contempt and wouldn't permit her to enter the family.

Facing criticism in front of Mr. Austin, Lola couldn't endure it. She urged Ethan, the man claiming he would marry her, to speak up.

Dad, it was all a misunderstanding before! Besides, Lola has already promised us. In the future, she will be with Ethan and will ensure to behave herself, not bringing disgrace to our family."

Lydia actually didn't like Lola. This girl was too dependent and thoughtless, and, importantly, had undergone an abortion before, so her reputation was tarnished. How could such a woman be worthy of being her daughter-in-law?

But because of Lola's usefulness, she couldn't simply abandon this prospect.

"I'm concerned that such a promiscuous woman won't change her ways!"

Suddenly, a cold voice echoed from upstairs, and everyone looked up.

"Brad... Bradley!"

As they spotted him standing at the railing, Arthur abruptly stood up from the sofa, his face pale as a ghost.

"You, you're able to stand?"

Lydia was equally shocked. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

How was this possible!

The doctor had clearly stated that he would never walk again, so why was he perfectly fine now?

Ethan also felt as if he had seen a ghost, but Lola, standing beside him, had her eyes sparkling, completely focused on Bradley's handsome face.

This man was so stunning, far surpassing Ethan by miles.

Ignoring everyone's amazement, Mr. Austin looked up at Bradley, "Son, how is Freya?"

"She was frightened and has fallen asleep!"

Bradley walked down the stairs, emitting a chilling aura. With his presence, it felt like the temperature dropped to freezing.

"That's good. She has suffered a lot!" After Mr. Austin finished speaking, he motioned for Bradley to sit beside him, sternly looking at everyone. "Bradley has fully recovered. This could be seen as a blessing in disguise. It's clear that Freya is his lucky star! Now that everyone is present, let me remind you once more: Freya is now the daughter-in-law of our family. As long as I'm here, I won't allow anyone to harm her in the slightest."

Fully recovered?

No, that's impossible!

Even if he could regain his sight and stand up, but this face…

Lydia gazed at Bradley's incomparably handsome face, her mind utterly blank.

"Dad, isn't Bradley recovering too quickly?"

Lydia hadn't spoken yet, but Arthur couldn't help but speak up.

Mr. Austin frowned, slamming the table in anger. "You're not happy that Bradley has recovered? Or do you prefer him to remain useless for the rest of his life?"

"Dad, that's not what I meant," Arthur quickly explained.

"What did you mean then? Were you and Lydia also involved in today's incident with Freya intruding into the back mountain?" Mr. Austin scolded, his entire body radiating fury.

Arthur trembled, feeling guilty. "Dad, I truly didn't know about this. Lydia and I have been repenting in the ancestral hall."

Mr. Austin's gaze shifted to Ethan and Lola. "Lola, you led her to the back mountain. Tell me, who instructed you to do this?"

Lola tightly held Ethan's hand, and he warned her with his eyes not to speak recklessly.

Bringing this matter to light would benefit no one.

Lola naturally understood this. She glanced at everyone before bursting into tears the next moment.

"Grandpa, I didn't mean to harm Freya. She hit me in the garden. Look, she even injured my face like this." Lola brought her face closer for everyone to see clearly.

Freya had not been gentle. Even though Lola had tried to cover up with makeup, the red marks on her face couldn't be concealed, and upon closer inspection, they were still swollen.

"So, you led her to the back mountain to seek revenge and planned to harm her?" Mr. Austin's expression grew even darker.

Lola cried even more pitifully, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"No, Grandpa. Freya dropped something, and I picked it up for her. I was going to return it to her, but she didn't appreciate it and chased after me to hit me. As I was running, I ended up in the back mountain, and the chain accidentally fell into the mountains."

"Freya is my sister. How could I harm her? Grandpa, you must ensure justice for me!"

Lola skillfully recounted the incident, crying and pretending to be pitiful. It's a pity she didn't enter the entertainment industry to act, she would have excelled.

Bradley leaned back on the sofa, squinting as he listened to her theatrical performance, about to speak up.

"Lola, do you dare to swear?"