Chapter 29
Chapter 29:
Janice’s eyebrow arched, a silent nod to Nina’s bold declaration.
“Something’s wrong!” A servant burst into the room, gasping for air. “Bart has been pushed into the pool by Aiden.”
“What?” The room erupted in collective astonishment as everyone rushed outside.
Reaching the garden, Janice found Aiden stationed in his wheelchair, a steely gaze fixed on Bart, who was sprawled on the ground.
“Bart!” Alcott dashed to Bart’s side, whose face was ashen, water dripping from his hair. “Bart, you’ve got to be alright.”
“It’s not Aiden’s doing, Dad. I slipped,” Bart murmured, barely opening his eyes.
“And you’re still covering for him?” Alcott’s voice rose in disbelief as he stood, his hand lifted to strike Aiden. Yet, he paused, his hand frozen mid-air, arrested by Aiden’s icy, piercing stare.
“Thinking of hitting me, are you?” Aiden’s voice was cool, a stark contrast to the heat of the moment.
“You’ve endangered your brother, an act I cannot overlook. Surely, you must answer for this,” Alcott asserted, his tone resolute yet tinged with uncertainty. Yet he faltered, a sense of dread creeping up on him at the thought of actually striking Aiden.
“Alcott, let’s not get carried away,” Nina interjected, her hand reaching out to lower his. “Let’s at least hear Aiden out.”
Alcott huffed, his anger simmering as he retorted, “I’d be intrigued to hear this explanation.”
With a shrug, Aiden admitted, “I pushed him in, as you all saw.”
“Why would you do that?” Nina pressed, her expression a complex mixture of worry and disappointment. “Aiden, this isn’t like you.”
Aiden turned to Nina, his gaze steady. “Mom, how do you think I’m supposed to be?”
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Nina, caught off guard, struggled for a response. The son she knew was collected, assured, and articulate. However, since the accident, he had become noticeably more reticent and reclusive.
“Nina, you heard him,” Alcott interjected sharply. “He confessed to pushing Bart into the pool. It’s time I teach him a lesson, lest he escalates to graver actions.” He then commanded the servant to fetch a stick.
“Wait,” Janice cut in, piercing the charged silence. “May I say something?”
“What is it?” Alcott snapped, clearly annoyed.
Positioning herself behind Aiden, Janice eyed the pool thoughtfully. “I’m puzzled as to why you’re so certain Aiden pushed him into the pool.”
“He confessed to it. Are you suggesting he lied?”
Janice shook her head, her sigh heavy with frustration. “Prejudice often leads to dire outcomes. Just because Aiden confessed, does that truly mean he’s guilty?”
With a sharp furrow of his brow, Alcott retorted coldly, “What is it you’re trying to say? Or perhaps you’re just trying to defend him?”
“Oh, the irony,” Janice responded with a dismissive wave. “To think, a prestigious lineage like the Greens, entrusting their name to someone as inept as you. If it weren’t for the solid foundation laid by Aiden’s grandfather, the Green family would’ve crumbled by now.”
“What did you just say?” Alcott roared, his hand raised menacingly as if ready to lash out.
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