Chapter 8 A Shocking Truth

"Instead of grabbing the opportunity, she stupidly ruined her own face! Why are you coming after us?" Anthony roared. A deafening roar seemed to echo in Howard's mind as he turned to Quinn in disbelief. Bianca suddenly sniffled, clinging to Quinn's arm as she cried, "Mom didn't want to leave me. She didn't like that man. It was grandma who forced her to get married. Grandma is a bad person!" Hearing this, Yvonne immediately screamed in rage, pointing at Bianca and cursing, "You little bastard, shut up! If it weren't for you, your mother would already rise like a phoenix by now!" Quinn was already in tears, biting her lips as her entire body trembled. The period when Yvonne had forced her into marriage was a nightmare she could never forget. She had considered ending it all countless times but endured for Bianca. Yet, to save herself, she had scarred her own face, becoming a so-called ugly freak in everyone's eyes. Back then, Quinn, once hailed as the most beautiful woman in Yorkhaven, had shocked everyone by destroying her beauty. The Harper family's reputation had taken a hit, and her many wealthy suitors had vanished. Naturally, after seeing her disfigurement, Patrick lost interest in her. Howard pieced it together. Yvonne had pressured Quinn to marry into wealth. Refusing to abandon Bianca, Quinn had taken a knife to her face, leaving behind a permanent scar. He could not begin to imagine the pain of such a beautiful woman taking a knife to her own face and carving out a scar. With a loud thud, Howard tossed Anthony to the ground like trash, then turned and strode toward Yvonne. "What are you doing? I warn you, this is Drake family's territory! If you dare touch me, I will make sure—!" she shrieked. Before she could finish, Howard's hand shot out, striking her hard across the face. His voice was as cold as ice, "Seven years ago, on that stormy night, Anthony said he had injured someone and begged me to take the fall for him. "You also came begging me and Quinnie, saying that he was still in college and his future couldn't be ruined. You promised that I'd only have to serve one or two years in jail and assured me that you would take good care of Quinnie and Bianca." Hearing this, Yvonne froze, clutching her face, her eyes wide with fear. Memories of that fateful night resurfaced. Quinn and York looked equally stunned. Another powerful slap landed on Yvonne's other cheek, sending her stumbling back several steps, her lip splitting as blood trickled down. "I trusted you, so I went to the authorities. But no one told me Anthony had murdered someone! Because of you, I was sentenced to death," Howard continued furiously. "I thought you, as Quinnie's mother and Bianca's grandmother, would treat them well. But you turned out to be cruel and heartless!" His eyes were bloodshot, his expression terrifyingly demonic. The oppressive aura he exuded seemed to suck the air out of the room, making it hard for anyone to breathe. A third strike sent Yvonne spinning before she collapsed to the ground. The living room fell into an eerie silence. Howard's words had reconstructed the events of seven years ago. Quinn couldn't hold it in any longer. Covering her mouth, she burst into uncontrollable cries. Back then, heavily pregnant, she had tried to visit Howard but had been inexplicably blocked at every turn. All she had received was a cold verdict and a death certificate. No one could imagine the suffering and humiliation Quinn had endured during those seven years. Her beloved husband was taken from her, plunging her into an abyss of despair. Howard's revelations brought all those painful memories rushing back. "Mom, are you okay?" Anthony rushed to Yvonne's side, helping her up. Yvonne, now unrecognizable with her disheveled hair, bloodied mouth, and swollen face, trembled with rage as she pointed at Howard, her voice quivering with hatred. "You dare lay a hand on me? This isn't over!" Howard turned his icy gaze toward her, his eyes gleaming red, and unleashed a wave of murderous intent. Yvonne's body shook uncontrollably, a chill spreading through her as though she had fallen into an icy abyss. In an instant, Howard lunged forward, gripping her throat tightly. Her breath was cut off instantly, her eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out, her face contorted with sheer terror. "I dared to hit you. Do you think I wouldn't dare to kill you?" Howard's expression was eerily calm. At this moment, York, his face filled with panic, walked over to Howard. His legs gave out, and with a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees. Looking up at Howard, he pleaded urgently, "Howard, I know it's you. You've returned." "After all, she's your mother-in-law. Please, let go. I beg you," he continued. Quinn froze, stunned to see York kneeling on the ground, begging Howard. Then, noticing Yvonne's body beginning to convulse, she rushed to Howard's side, grabbed his arm, and cried out desperately, "Please, let go. You'll kill her! You just got out of prison. Do you want to go back in?"