Chapter 67

Chapter 67:

Mabel realized the excuses she and Ava had concocted were useless now. Ector knew the truth. If she tried to lie, he would call her out immediately, and Hunk’s fury would be unstoppable.

Hunk’s voice cut through the tense silence. “Mabel, what on earth have you done? Tell me the truth!”

Mabel trembled, tears streaming down her face.

Hunk slammed his hand on the coffee table, the sharp crack echoing in the room. “Talk!”

Ava jumped to her feet, voice quivering. “Dad, please calm down. Auntie—”

“I wasn’t talking to you!” Hunk snapped, his piercing gaze shifting back to Mabel. “I asked Mabel. She’s the one who should speak.”

“I made an error and recorded a student’s score wrong,” Mabel stuttered between sobs. “Mr. Castro has already scolded me… I know I made a mistake.”

Ector leaned forward on the sofa, a faint smile on his lips. “Really? And how did you accidentally change a student’s score? Would you care to explain that?”

Hunk’s voice thundered. “You are lying! Was it a mistake or on purpose? Tell me the truth!”

Through tear-filled eyes, Mabel looked up at Hunk. She had never seen him so furious. His wide, burning gaze made her feel as though he could destroy her with a single look.

Then there was Ector, lounging on the sofa. He looked immaculate in a crisp white shirt and tailored suit pants, his appearance as polished as his demeanor. But his dark eyes were sharp, cutting through every layer of pretense Mabel tried to maintain.

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For a brief moment, her mind raced with frantic thoughts.

And then, she made her decision—she would confess.

“I’m so sorry, Hunk,” Mabel sobbed, her voice trembling with remorse. “I shouldn’t have done it. I swear it won’t happen again. Please forgive me.”

Her words made it clear—this hadn’t been a mistake. She was admitting it had been intentional.

Hunk’s rage boiled over.

At first, when Ector had told him what had happened, he had struggled to believe his sister could act so disgracefully.

But Hunk trusted Ector.

He had worked with him before and found him to be both honest and dependable, no matter his youth. And now, with Ector standing there and Mabel’s own confession laid bare, there was no more room for doubt.

“Why?” Hunk roared. “Why would you alter Fernanda’s scores? What did she ever do to you? Why would you stoop so low?”

“I was…” Mabel began, but then felt a sharp pinch at her waist.

She turned to find Ava beside her, her face unreadable.

Ava blinked slowly, giving her a silent, pointed look.

Mabel instantly understood.

If she mentioned Ava’s role, Hunk wouldn’t hesitate to punish them both.

He was strict and fair in equal measure—and now that Mabel had already been caught, dragging Ava into the fire would only make things worse.

But if Mabel covered for Ava, there was a chance Ava might return the favor later.

Weighing her options carefully, Mabel chose her words with deliberate caution.

Sniffling, she spoke softly.

“I have no personal grudge against Miss Morgan. But I couldn’t bear to see Ava so upset. She’s always cared for Bobby and dreamed of being with him. And then, out of nowhere, his fiancée, Miss Morgan, shows up. How could Ava not be devastated by that? I just… I couldn’t stand by and watch her suffer.”

As Mabel spoke, Ava’s eyes welled with tears.

“Auntie, I know you care for me, but what you did was wrong,” Ava said, her voice shaking. “Fernanda is Bobby’s fiancée. It’s something their parents arranged. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Remember the last Harper family event, when Fernanda stole the spotlight from you? I just felt sorry,” Mabel said gently, wiping a tear from Ava’s cheek. “Come on, don’t cry. I only wanted to stand up for you, but things spiraled out of control.”

Ava leaned into Mabel’s arms, sobbing quietly on her shoulder.

Ector, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke.

“You two share quite a bond. Ms. Mabel Ross, you were even willing to commit a crime for your niece’s sake.”

Hunk’s anger seemed to cool slightly.

At least Mabel’s actions had been rooted in concern for family.

“Mr. Morgan, we are truly at fault,” Hunk said to Ector. “I believe my sister understands her mistake. Please allow her the chance to make things right.”

Ector offered a faint smile.

“Of course. She will have her chance. Just as she acted out of love for her niece, I will act out of love for my sister. Therefore, I ask only one thing—she must issue a public apology to Fernanda. That would show genuine remorse.”

“What?” Mabel’s face turned pale. “Didn’t Mr. Castro already punish me?”

“That’s one matter,” Ector replied sharply. “But it’s separate from the Morgan family’s request. I expect you to publicly explain the entire situation.”

Mabel’s complexion turned pale, nearly ghostlike.

She stammered, her voice faltering as panic took hold.

Ector wanted her to publicly admit that what she had done was deliberate. If she complied, how could she face society again? Everyone would see her as petty and vindictive. Her reputation would be ruined.

She turned toward Hunk, silently begging for his help, but he gave a firm nod and said,

“No problem. We’ll comply with your request, Mr. Morgan. This was my sister’s mistake, and a public apology to your sister is the least she can do to make amends.”

Ector gave a curt nod, clearly satisfied with the answer.

“If Ms. Mabel Ross had thought about the consequences earlier, she wouldn’t be in this position now,” he added as he stood. “I’ll take my leave.”

Hunk rose as well. “I’ll walk you out.”

After escorting Ector to the door, Hunk returned with a storm brewing on his face.

He marched toward Mabel, his eyes burning with fury.

Mabel flinched, squeezing her eyes shut, trembling in fear.

But the slap she feared never came.

Instead, Hunk jabbed a finger toward her, his voice filled with rage and disappointment.

“You’ve humiliated all of us!”

Mabel sniffled and asked in a weak voice,

“Do I really have to apologize publicly?”

“What did you expect?” Hunk snapped. “You’re the one who created this mess, and the Morgans haven’t even pushed for full legal action.”

You should count yourself lucky.” Hunk’s voice was tight with fury.

“I’ll reach out to the media tomorrow. Get ready for your apology,” he said coldly. “And it better be sincere. If you cause any more trouble, you’re on your own. I won’t intervene again.”

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