A hush fell over the assembled servants and relatives. Elliana’s smile widened imperceptibly—calm, satisfied. Rita exhaled, relief washing over her features. Around them, the atmosphere shifted: the spectacle that Amilia and Karlee had tried to stage had lost its power. The truth had finally been revealed, and for the first time in a long while, the Thompsons looked as if they intended to act like a family worth trusting.
Elliana simply met Karlee’s rage with an unreadable, almost amused smile, as if watching someone fumble through a bad performance.
The sight of Milena’s calm only made Karlee’s anger boil over. If she hadn’t been reeling from a broken arm and the sting of Elsie’s slap, she would likely have charged across the room to beat Milena up.
Amilia was no less furious, her voice rising into a wild, piercing scream.
“My daughter and I carry Thompson blood! Our status is noble—why should we be forced to apologize to some quack? Is he even worthy of it?”
Amilia’s and Karlee’s defiance and lack of remorse suggested they saw nothing wrong with their behavior, leaving everyone speechless.
Edgar and Elsie both flushed with anger and shame. If blood ties didn’t bind them, they might have thrown Amilia and Karlee out long ago.
Kaleb’s face darkened, while Jenifer could only sigh in weary disbelief. The only reason Amilia and Karlee hadn’t been cast out was their Thompson blood. Without it, their actions would have cost them dearly.
Kaleb finally turned to Elliana, his tone apologetic.
“Dr. Atkinson, I’m sorry you had to witness this.”
He then barked at the household staff, “Take the two to the basement to reflect. I don’t want to see either of them until they’re ready to kneel and sincerely apologize.”
Without hesitation, the bodyguards stepped forward, grabbing Amilia and Karlee to escort them away.
The basement, more than just a storage space, served as the family’s place for discipline and punishment.
Karlee immediately broke down in loud sobs, thrashing against the guards.
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“No, don’t take me! It’s freezing and miserable down there, and the bed’s like a rock! I can’t stand it!”
Amilia joined in, matching her daughter’s desperation.
“It’s disgusting down there! The food’s inedible! I’ll waste away in that place!”
Wrenching free from a bodyguard’s grasp, Amilia crawled on her knees to Kaleb, grabbing his trouser leg.
“You can’t do this to me! I’m your sister! Please, I wouldn’t survive in that place. Just let me go this time!”
Karlee, following her mother’s lead, latched onto Kaleb’s other pant leg, wailing, “Uncle, please show some mercy. I can’t stand it either!”
Kaleb pulled free, his face a mask of disgust.
“Then kneel before Dr. Atkinson,” he commanded.
“Ask for forgiveness.”
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