"Lola, do you dare to swear?"

At this moment, a melodious voice, clear as a bell, rang out.

Everyone turned their gaze towards the staircase, where Freya gracefully descended step by step.

Dressed in a white dress, her extraordinary and ethereal temperament stood out, especially when she wasn't pretending to be foolish. Her eyes, as bright as obsidian, were shrewd and intelligent. With an aura untouched by the world, she seemed like a celestial being descended to earth, captivating anyone who looked at her.

Even Ethan couldn't help but stare.

Although he detested Freya to the core, he had to admit that this woman was truly beautiful, completely incomparable to someone as vulgar as Lola.

Her figure was simply impeccable, slim where it should be, curvy where it should be, more enchanting and seductive than any female model. Moreover, her skin was fair, and her legs were long and slender, resembling a fairy.

In Ethan's mind, the scene of pressing Freya beneath him was certainly more enjoyable than dealing with Lola, the plastic surgery addict.

Freya's gaze swept across the room, ultimately meeting Bradley's cold gaze, causing her ears to inexplicably heat up.

For some reason, ever since this man had been forthright with her, she found herself even more jittery around him. Just a single glance or gesture from him could make her cheeks flush and her heart race.

Looking away, she approached Lola and repeated, "Are you willing to swear in front of everyone that everything you've said is true? If even a fraction of it is false, your features will contort, and your chest will collapse, transforming you into a monstrous sight."

She had been listening to the uproar downstairs from her room since earlier. When Lola tearfully accused her of misdeeds, she couldn't bear it any longer. Lola's exaggerated performance made her feel nauseous.

Upon hearing this, Lola hurriedly touched her face and chest to ensure everything was normal. When she confirmed this, she became angry.

"Freya, how can you curse me like this? We're sisters!"

Hearing the word 'sisters,' Freya sneered coldly. "Do you truly regard me as your sister? If it weren't for sheer luck, I would have met a tragic end in the back mountain long ago. Ariana, you're quite something. You led me to the back mountain and had someone block the entrance. It's evident you wanted me dead."

"I didn't!" Lola adamantly refused to confess. Even if Bradley presented surveillance footage, she wouldn't admit it. Her stubbornness was unbearable for anyone.

"Whether you did it or not, we'll uncover the truth by questioning your accomplice's bodyguard," Bradley's voice rang out coldly, and with a snap of his fingers, Frederick brought forward a bodyguard.

The bodyguard cam in trembling, his body covered in numerous bruises, clearly from severe interrogation.

Mr. Austin sternly demanded, "Speak up. What exactly happened? If you dare to conceal anything, there will be consequences."

The bodyguard glanced at Ethan and stuttered, "I-I was ordered by Mr. Ethan to guard the entrance of the back mountain. After Madam went in, I blocked the entrance..."

"Bang!"

Enraged, Mr. Austin slammed the table and hurled a teacup at Ethan. "You damned scoundrel, how could you do such a thing!"

With his mobility issues, Ethan couldn't dodge, and the teacup struck his forehead, leaving a gash from which blood flowed.

"Grandpa, I didn't do it. This feud is between Lola and Freya. It has nothing to do with me!"

As tensions escalated, Ethan immediately shifted all blame onto Lola.

Hearing this, Freya couldn't help but sneer.

Indeed, men were spineless, worse than dogs. When trouble arose, they would use women as shields. She despised such behavior.

Lola was anxious as well. They had agreed to stand together, so why was Ethan pushing all the blame onto her?

It wasn't until she realized she had been manipulated that she understood.

Filled with resentment, Lola gritted her teeth and retorted, "Ethan, you instructed me to do this. How can you claim innocence now?"

Since he didn't want her to have it easy, she wouldn't let herself be a scapegoat for nothing.

Watching the two of them quarrel, Lydia cursed their foolishness. At this crucial moment, they should have united against the common threat, but instead, they were dragging each other down.

She couldn't find a way to support both of them simultaneously. Moreover, since this was her idea, speaking up would surely shift the blame onto her.

Although Lydia was anxious, she couldn't afford to show weakness this time.

Mr. Austin had now grasped the situation thoroughly and bellowed furiously, "Lock Lola up in the basement and call Bruce Lawson to come and take her away! As for Ethan, you've shown no remorse despite repeated chances. Freeze all his bank accounts and get out of the Austin family immediately. I'll treat you as if you're not my grandson."

Mr. Austin was truly enraged this time. All his life, he had desired harmony among his grandchildren, yet in the end, the family's scheming had reached the point of fratricide.

Ethan immediately protested, "Grandpa, I know I've made mistakes. Please don't cast me out. How can I survive without money?"

He had been used to living extravagantly since childhood. Being without money would be more agonizing than abstaining from women for months.

Lydia finally couldn't hold back and interceded, "Dad, Ethan has mobility issues. If you drive him away now, where will he go?"

"Yes, Dad, give him another chance. He'll definitely mend his ways in the future."

Mr. Austin trembled with anger and declared, "Anyone who dares to plead on his behalf will be kicked out along with him. The Austin family doesn't harbor traitors or disobedient scions!"

With that, Mr. Austin summoned the butler, Ford, and commanded, "Throw this troublemaker out. Even if he ends up begging on the streets, no one is allowed to assist him! Ford, have someone monitor him. Anyone who dares to secretly help him will be punished along with him."

"Yes, sir!"

Ford instructed two bodyguards. They dragged Ethan out like a dead dog.

"Grandpa, you can't do this! I'm your grandson!" Ethan's voice echoed from afar, but Mr. Austin remained silent, and no one dared to speak up.

Mr. Austin looked at Arthur and his wife with stern eyes and declared, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If it's related to you two as well, you'll be kicked out too."

Lydia dared not speak. She knew the Mr. Austin's temperament too well. Once he made up his mind, he would disown even his closest kin.

With Ethan expelled from the house, they would surely find a way to bring him back.

So, she had to endure!

Freya watched silently, a faint smile playing on her lips. Suddenly, she felt warmth in her palm and turned to look beside her.

Bradley's deep eyes were fixed on her, his large hand holding hers, a wicked smile on his handsome face.

Just a simple exchange of glances, and Freya's heart fluttered again.

"Bradley, take Freya back to rest first, comfort her well. The Lawson family will send someone later, and I'll have someone call you up then."

"Yes, Dad!"

After saying that, Bradley effortlessly lifted Freya horizontally in his arms.

With so many people watching, Freya's face turned even redder. Why did he always resort to carrying her like this?