Chapter 439 A Brother’s Convenience

Back when the family faced troubles, things had never gotten out of hand–at least not while Elsie was still dating Paul. If anything went wrong, a few sweet words from her would have Paul bending over backwards to solve it.

But now, freshly recovered from illness, Elsie didn’t dare face Paul. With her out of the picture, all the family burdens–big and small–fell squarely on Owen.

And Owen, proud as ever, wasn’t the kind to bow his head and beg anyone.

Elsie sobbed, “Then go find Oscar! Mom’s not just our mom–everyone needs to help!”

Right. Lily wasn’t just their mother. Oscar and Yunice should take responsibility too.

With that thought, Owen headed to Oscar’s office, hoping to persuade him to talk Yunice into asking Wyatt for help.

If Wyatt pulled some strings, Lily’s sentence could be lessened–or even wiped away entirely.

Still wearing his lab coat, Oscar didn’t even pause from his work. His tone was frosty. “I already told you - I’m done getting involved in your mess.”

Owen snapped, “Mom’s not just my mom! You’re the eldest! She raised you the longest–how can you just abandon her?”

“I gave you advice,” Oscar said flatly. “You refused to take it.”

If they’d apologized when they had the chance, this wouldn’t have escalated into jail time.

Owen trailed behind him, raising his voice. “So now you’re playing the wise man after the fact? It’s already happening–shouldn’t solving the problem be the priority now?!”

Oscar swirled a test tube, unfazed. “If you think the court was wrong, file an appeal. If you think it’s unfair, go protest. But don’t shout at me - I’m not a judge or a billionaire. I can’t help you.”

“…” Owen avoided the test tube Oscar was carelessly waving and insisted, “Fine. I’m not asking you to do much. Just call Yunice. Maybe she’s changed her mind.”

“I’ve already tried. Can’t get through.”

Oscar glared at him for half a minute, realizing that if he didn’t cooperate, Owen would wreck his lab just to make a point.

With a sigh, Oscar shook off Owen’s grip and dialed.

Owen leaned in eagerly to listen.

The line rang a few times before someone picked up.

Oscar cut straight to the chase. “Yunice, Owen insists on talking to you. Want to take the call?”

Without waiting, Owen grabbed the phone from him and blurted out, “Yunice! Mom’s been taken by the police. They say she’s been sentenced to a year in prison!”

“You’re her daughter too. You know Dad loved her the most when he was alive. If he could see how cold you’re being to your own mother, how disappointed do you think he’d be…”

A cold chuckle interrupted him from the other end – Wyatt’s voice. “Funny how she’s ‘your mom’ when it’s convenient. The moment something goes wrong, suddenly she’s just her mom. Real clever.”

Owen froze the moment he heard Wyatt. His voice stiffened. “I was trying to reach Yunice.”

“She’s busy,” Wyatt said coolly. “You can talk to me.”

“… Busy? Too busy to pick up a phone? Or is she just ignoring me and using you as a shield?”

Leaning against the wall, Wyatt’s smile was cold. “You really are full of yourself.”

Owen stiffened. “I’m her brother. Don’t I have the right to call her?”

Wyatt’s voice dropped. “So it’s all about rights for you? You get the benefits, but you skip out on the obligations. Is that it?”

Owen’s brow furrowed. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve tried to bring Yunice home and take care of her. She refused. Is that somehow my fault now?”

“Fake support is giving someone a meal,” Wyatt said. “Real support is understanding their pain–and helping them out of it. Have you ever done that?”

Owen felt even more baffled. “What hardship hasn’t she overcome? Yunice’s life has always been smooth. She’s had it better than any of us! Even I have to bow and scrape to her now – what struggle could she possibly have?!”

Wyatt’s tone turned icy. “Paul abused her for ten years. Did you know that?”

Oscar’s gaze shot to Owen.

Owen frowned and went silent for a moment. He recalled some of Yunice and Paul’s past, but finally said, “Paul never abused her. They were young. Maybe they crossed some lines, but it was mutual. You can’t call that abuse.”

Wyatt asked sharply, “So you do know Paul touched her?”

Owen’s expression darkened. “Everyone in the capital knows. You mean you didn’t?”

Wyatt pressed further. “Then when Yunice asked you for help, what did you do?”

Owen stared back. “When did she ever ask me for help?”