I didn’t feel like talking, but I wasn’t about to let myself be framed either.

Richard and Elizabeth both glanced at Liam, their expressions shifting.

But Richard still said, “Your brother brought you here so you could have a better environment. You should know how to avoid suspicion.”

Elizabeth sighed. “That’s what happens when you grow up in a small town—you don’t know the rules and you don’t think about others.”

I finally understood. They didn’t care about right or wrong. They just didn’t like me.

But if they didn’t like me, why go through so much trouble to drag me back?

I felt helpless but chose not to argue.

Thankfully, Sophia returned and helped me out of the situation.

But as they left the room, I overheard Richard muttering something unpleasant, more or less:

“You need to behave yourself. You’ll be part of an arranged marriage for the Grant family in the future. If your reputation is ruined, you won’t be worth anything.”

I caught the look on Sophia’s profile as she heard this. Her face was expressionless, like all the life had drained out of her.

Soon after, I was called downstairs for dinner.