Inside the banquet hall, Gavin and the others prepared to leave when they noticed Elaine departing. Unexpectedly, a reporter's voice echoed from the audience. "At the beginning of this press conference, you all swore that your statements were nothing but the truth. You insisted that you hadn't harmed Elaine and that she was the one plotting against you. You even declared that if any of you were lying, you would kneel and slap yourselves." The reporter continued, "Now that it's clear you've all been lying, shouldn't you honor your promise?" Other reporters joined in, echoing the statement. "I almost forgot about that. Thankfully someone remembered!" "Hurry up and do it! Stop wasting everyone's time!" "Your character is already despicable enough. You wouldn't want to add 'breaking your promise' to your list of faults, would you?" Everyone on stage was left speechless. Those who had considered denying the situation soon realized they had no way to escape the relentless scrutiny of the reporters. Gavin, who was already kneeling on the ground, raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap to his face.Slap! Slap! Slap! He gave himself ten forceful slaps, each one landing heavily and causing his face to swell significantly. Witnessing this, the others had no choice but to kneel in shame and deliver a series of harsh slaps to their faces as well. Only after they finished slapping themselves did James interject, feigning surprise, "Oh my, that was just a joke. Why are you all taking it so seriously? In any case, I suppose that concludes today's press conference. Let's all head back home." With that, he instructed the staff to return Gavin and the others their phones and provided each of them with a power bank as well. Gavin rose from the ground and began walking outside dejectedly. Meanwhile, the reporters below the stage swarmed over, eager to interview them. Although they didn't have the same level of popularity as Elaine, they were now in the spotlight, drawing considerable attention and attracting a substantial audience due to recent events. Soon, the five of them found themselves completely surrounded. The reporters refused to let them leave, even though they chose not to answer any questions. In the end, James had the staff help clear a path for them, allowing them to leave the hotel. Gavin briskly walked ahead, with Miranda following closely behind, jogging to keep up. "Gavin, wait for me! You promised to protect me. How could you leave me behind?" Miranda tearfully questioned. Gavin's expression darkened further upon hearing that, and he quickened his pace. She nearly got me killed... I can't believe she still has the audacity to demand my protection! Numerous cars were parked along the roadside outside the hotel. As Gavin stepped out, a black sedan glided to a halt right in front of him. The car door swung open, revealing Yoel and Quentin sitting inside. "Get in, Gavin," Quentin said. Gavin complied and promptly got into the car. Just then, Miranda ran over, hoping to join them. However, Gavin swiftly kicked her out, sending her flying to the side. "Get lost! You vile woman! Don't you dare follow me, and never come near me again!" Gavin growled in anger. Tears streamed down Miranda's face as she fell to the ground. Heartbroken, she cried out, "Gavin, I'm your younger sister whom you've cherished for twenty years. We've shared a bond for twenty years! Are you going to disown me just because of such a trivial matter?" Gavin's chest heaved with fury.I nearly lost my life! How dare she say it was a trivial matter? "Gavin, calm down. We can discuss this once we're back home," Quentin said, offering a reassuring pat on his brother's shoulder. He then turned to look at Miranda, who was still sitting on the ground, and added, "Come on, get in. Mom and Dad are waiting at home." Miranda's eyes welled up with tears of joy, and she quickly got up before climbing into the car. Gavin tried to protest but was firmly restrained by Quentin. "Gavin, let's not make a scene," Quentin advised. Gavin exclaimed, "Quentin, didn't you watch the live broadcast? Don't you know what she's done in the past seven days?" "I did," Quentin replied. Gavin roared, "Since you've seen it, you must know she wanted me dead, right? So why are you letting her in the car and taking her home with us? I've always treated her like my own sister and loved her more than anyone else, but she's nothing but ungrateful! Why let her come home with us?" Hearing that, Miranda burst into tears as she desperately tried to explain, "Gavin, you've got it all wrong—" "Shut up! I don't want to hear your lies, and I certainly don't want your explanations! Get out of the car right now!" Gavin snapped, cutting off Miranda's words.Miranda bit her lip, tears circling in her eyes as she looked at Yoel and Quentin. "Yoel, Quentin, do you not trust me, too? Are you going to chase me away, too?" Yoel replied, "Alright, that's enough. We can talk about it at home. Mom and Dad want both of you to come back with us." Gavin was about to say something else, but Yoel stopped him. "Calm down, Gavin. Hold your tongue for now. Mom and Dad watched the live broadcast, and they are aware of what happened in the forest. Let's discuss it after we get home and meet them." Gavin clenched his teeth and ultimately chose to remain silent. Meanwhile, Miranda felt extremely unsettled. Mom and Dad already watched the live broadcast... How am I going to bluff my way through this? The ride continued in silence, and after half an hour, the car pulled up at the entrance of the Grant residence. The three Grant brothers and Miranda entered the mansion together. Frederick and Yelena were seated on the living room couch, appearing as though they had been waiting for quite some time. With a loud thud, Miranda dropped to her knees the moment she saw them. She then choked out, "Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry. I did something terrible in the forest. I hurt Gavin. Please forgive me!" Slap! Yelena was filled with fury, and she couldn't control her anger as she delivered a forceful slap across Miranda's face. Trembling with rage, she exclaimed, "We have sacrificed so much for you, and this is how you repay us? Gavin has always been kind to you, yet you treated him like a servant. When he was sick, you ignored him, and when he was in danger, you prevented others from helping him. It's as if you wanted him to suffer! Do you have no conscience? How could you commit such terrible acts? How will you ever face Gavin and us? You are nothing but an ungrateful person. We have shown you love and care all these years, and it was all in vain!" As Yelena spoke, her anger overwhelmed her, and tears began to stream down her face. She raised her hand, preparing to strike Miranda again. However, before her hand could make contact, Frederick firmly grabbed her wrist and spoke with anger in his voice. "That's enough! Stop it! Can't you control yourself? Stop acting like a shrew!" Yelena seethed with anger and responded, "Our son was almost killed by this ungrateful person. I just want justice for our son, so how am I causing a scene? Are you just going to stand by and watch our son be bullied?" With a serious expression, Frederick said, "I've said it before; Miranda's actions were a result of severe emotional distress, which caused her mental instability and a drastic change in her personality. She didn't intend to act this way, and she deeply regrets it. Can't you see how devastated and remorseful she is? She acknowledges her mistake and has apologized, so stop holding onto this." Yelena stared at Frederick in disbelief, her voice trembling as she said, "What are you talking about? She almost killed our son, and she even tried to harm our daughter! Despite all that, you're still defending her?" Frederick furrowed his brow and replied sternly, "Don't phrase it so harshly. The one who put Gavin in danger and almost caused his death was Elaine, not Miranda! Even if Miranda intentionally prevented others from saving Gavin, it doesn't mean she harmed him. The real culprit here is Elaine! So, think before you speak and stop letting online opinions influence your thoughts. We should be able to think independently!" He added, "Besides, do you really trust what others are saying about Miranda, even though they haven't met her? We have shared our lives with Miranda for twenty years. You should know her character well, don't you?" Yelena's face turned crimson with anger. Miranda quickly interjected, "Dad knows me best. Mom, just as Dad said, I was under immense pressure and extreme stress at that time. It clouded my mind, and I can hardly remember what happened in the forest. Many of my actions were not what I truly intended. I was mentally unstable and unable to control my actions and thoughts. That's why I made mistakes and said things I shouldn't have... Although those actions were not intentional, I still ended up hurting Gavin. I am willing to accept any punishment. I just hope you can forgive me. I am willing to do anything to make amends!"Tears welled up in Miranda's eyes once again as she explained. She started sobbing pitifully, her sorrow evident, and her face filled with regret. Her performance was so convincing that it seemed as if she was truly innocent. At that moment, Gavin angrily spoke up, "Dad, stop making excuses for her. She was fully aware of her actions, and there was nothing wrong with her mental state. She is just inherently evil, just like her mother. Both of them have wicked natures. She is nothing compared to Elaine!" Slap! Frederick stood up and slapped Gavin hard across the face before reprimanding him, "Miranda is your sister. How can you say such things about her? Have you forgotten your promise, the vow you made to always protect and cherish her, no matter what?" Gavin pressed his hand against his face in disbelief, stared at his father, and exclaimed, "She wanted me dead! How can you expect me to protect and love her after that?" Frederick asserted sternly, "A real man keeps his word. Since you vowed to protect her, regardless of the circumstances, you shouldn't hold her past actions against her. Besides, as I mentioned, Miranda's behavior was a result of emotional distress and mental instability. It doesn't reflect her true character. She is not a bad person." Gavin was so furious that he couldn't find words to respond. Fuming, he turned on his heel and stomped upstairs, unwilling to stay and deal with this outrageous situation any longer. Yoel and Quentin said simultaneously, "We'll go and console Gavin." With a cold snort, Yelena followed suit and headed upstairs. In the end, only Frederick and Miranda remained in the living room. Frederick reached out his hand, gently helping Miranda to her feet. He tenderly wiped away her tears before saying, "Stop crying. I won't let them drive you away." Sobbing, Miranda buried her face in Frederick's embrace. She clung to him tightly, tears of distress streaming down her face. "Dad, my reputation is ruined, and my image is tarnished. What am I going to do now?" "Well, you still have me, don't you? I will take care of you for the rest of your life," Frederick reassured her. Miranda continued to choke back sobs. Frederick looked at his daughter in his arms, his gaze filled with dark and complex emotions. He said softly, "Come with me to the study and tell me about the suffering you have endured." Miranda tearfully nodded. The two of them soon made their way to the study. Frederick closed the door behind them and locked it from the inside. Then, he pressed Miranda against the desk.