Chapter 366 A Misguided Loyalty

Owen looked at Carl, guilt written all over his face, as if waiting for a sentence to be handed down.

He knew he had lost today and that things would not end well for him, but he still said, “It was all me. It had nothing to do with Elsie. Carl, if you want to punish someone, punish me.”

Yunice kept her head down, her eyes focused on her nose, her nose on her heart. At a time like this, Owen was still thinking about protecting Elsie. Maybe he really did care for her, cared enough to defend her more fiercely than anyone else in the Saunders family.

Oscar snorted. “What an idiot.”

Carl’s expression darkened. He said nothing for a long time. Then, after a heavy pause, he spoke lightly, “Leave.”

His words left everyone stunned.

He was just letting them go?

Oscar leaned over and glanced at Yunice. They couldn’t just let it go like this! But neither Yunice nor Wyatt said a word.

Oscar was furious but also knew the situation had been decided. No matter what he said now, it would be useless.

Owen, meanwhile, was so shocked that he let out a sigh of relief. Gratitude filled his eyes as he bowed to Carl and said, “Thank you, Carl.”

He quickly dragged a dazed Elsie out of the hospital, as if afraid Carl would change his mind.

Owen thought Carl must still have some affection left for old times’ sake. After all, Owen was the son of his sworn brother. Even if Carl was backing Yunice now, he wouldn’t go too far.

Once they were out of sight, Owen finally calmed down.

He stopped walking.

Elsie, her face swollen like a pig’s head, looked at him in fear.

Owen stared at her for a long, long time. “Why did you press on Yunice’s wound?”

Elsie’s eyebrows twisted up, and she looked like she was about to cry.

A crisp slap landed on the other side of her face.

Owen didn’t use much force; it was meant to shock her more than hurt her.

It was the first time he had ever hit Elsie, a sign that he was serious and had no intention of listening to her prettied-up lies anymore.

He calmly asked again, “Why did you press on Yunice’s wound?”

Covering her face, Elsie stammered in fear, “I really didn’t know…”

“Fine. Let’s say I believe you didn’t do it on purpose. Then tell me, why were you asking about Yunice? Why were you contacting the Powell family’s servants? Why did you lie in public? Even Carl didn’t know Yunice was in the hospital, yet you knew. What were you planning?”

Elsie shook her head. “Owen, I really do care about Yunice. I was afraid she would be mistreated, so I asked the Powell family’s servants to help me find out what was going on! The Cooper family is so tightly guarded that there was no way for news to get out. I was worried Yunice didn’t have anyone looking out for her, so I turned to the Powell family. And what good would lying do for me? If Yunice came back home, I would have to give up my room for her, share your and Mom’s love with her. I could have just refused to let her come back!”

Owen’s expression twisted, as if he wanted to believe her.

But the real problem was, even if Yunice did return to the Saunders family, she wouldn’t take away his or his mother’s love, nor would she steal Elsie’s room.

That was just what Owen imagined he would do.

In reality, just a few words from Elsie and Lily could make him turn on Yunice, striking and scolding her without a second thought.

Elsie bit her lip, holding back her sobs. She was already full of resentment. She had truly believed Wyatt would lose interest after hurting Yunice and leave her alone. Who could have guessed the information she bought was wrong and ended up ruining her instead?

Now, even Owen didn’t fully trust her anymore.

Although Owen didn’t blame her outright, he still warned, “From now on, focus on your studies and your job. Stay away from anyone who’s not good for your future. You’ve been making too many waves lately.”

Elsie quickly grabbed Owen’s arm, coaxing him, “Owen, I made you upset today. When we get home, I’ll make you some sweet rice wine.”

Owen frowned the moment he heard that.

Back then, whenever he was upset, it was Yunice who made him sweet rice wine.

Thinking about the things Yunice said to Carl today, that faint prick of guilt started to ferment again in Owen’s chest.

If Elsie hadn’t stirred up so much trouble, maybe he could have made peace with Yunice.

He stopped walking and said to Elsie, “You go home first. I’m going to walk for a bit.”

He was going to make some sweet rice wine and bring it to Yunice.

After all, she was injured now. As her older brother, he naturally needed to show he cared.

Everything before was just a misunderstanding. Now that everything had been laid out clearly, there was no need to keep fighting.