Arthur never claimed to be some virtuous, righteous man. A smirk tugged at his lips—dark, playful, and mocking. He tilted his head and said, "You're speaking so softly... Are you apologizing to me, or just talking to yourself?" Then, without waiting for a response, he turned to the watching crowd and called out, "Did anyone hear what he just said?" For a moment, the crowd was silent. Then, almost as if on cue, they caught on. And for the first time, they were all in agreement. They shook their heads and said in perfect unison, "Nope, didn’t hear a thing!" They weren’t even lying—none of them had actually heard him. This scene... it was far too familiar. It was exactly how things used to be when Zac bullied Arthur. A smirk played at Arthur’s lips. Now it’s your turn to feel what I went through.I had endured eight long years of this. Zac’s fists tightened. His jaw locked as he clenched his teeth hard. "Arthur! Don’t push it too far!" The words came from Zac, John, and Susie—all at once. But this time, something was different. Raelynn didn’t say a word in Zac’s defense. Arthur let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Too far?" His gaze swept over every single member of the Gray family, cold and piercing. "He tormented me for eight years, and none of you thought that was too far. You, my so-called parents, mistreated me for eight years, and that wasn’t too far either. Zac, out of pure jealousy, schemed against me again and again, and you never once thought that was too far. But now, when all he’s doing is apologizing for what he did, suddenly I’m the one in the wrong?" His voice was like ice, sending a chill through the Gray family. "And tell me—this situation right now? I've experienced this situation numerous times as the victim of bullying. Did any of you think Zac was going too far back then?" Arthur’s words cut deep—sharp as blades, slicing right through the hearts of every single person in the Gray family.Raelynn felt a shiver run through her chest. She gazed at Arthur—the boy she had known for so long, yet who now felt like a stranger. It had been years since she had really stopped to look at him. When did he grow this tall? His face had matured—he was undeniably handsome now. As Arthur’s accusations rang in her ears, she suddenly grasped just how horribly she had failed him. He was her son! No matter how much she had cherished her adopted child, how could she have stood by and let her flesh and blood be tormented like that? But the worst part—the deepest pain—was realizing that she had been part of that cruelty too. She had always believed Arthur was just a difficult, disobedient child. She had dismissed him, neglected him, never once treating him with warmth. But after everything that happened today—after hearing Ashley and Arthur's unfiltered anger—she suddenly saw the truth. Maybe... maybe she had been wrong about everything. But the most heartbreaking part? She had never once believed Arthur before now. It wasn’t just Raelynn who felt this way. The three Gray sisters—including Susie—were drowning in the same overwhelming guilt. They couldn’t lift their heads. The weight of the crowd’s judgment—the whispers, the accusations—it was unbearable. Julie felt it the most. She had suspected something was off about Zac two years ago. She had even done her digging. But despite what she had learned, she had never once tried to make things right for Arthur. Instead, she had fallen for Zac’s endless pity act. She had forgiven him. She had continued spoiling him like before, being his sister as if nothing had happened. But the worst thing she had done? She had let him trick her into transferring all of her shares to him. Every last one! And for what? Some flimsy excuse so ridiculous she couldn’t even believe she had fallen for it!But deep down, she knew why they had all acted this way. It wasn’t just about Zac. They were terrified of disappointing John. They didn’t want him to see them as cruel women who mistreated their adopted brother. Whenever they treated Zac well, John would praise them for their kindness. And when John was pleased with them, he treated them better too. John was the pillar of the family—their safety net. To them, nothing mattered more than John’s approval. Right now, Raelynn wanted to slap herself. Hard. How could I have been so blind? As a mother, she hadn’t just failed—she had destroyed her child. Even John, for a brief moment, showed a flicker of guilt. But just as quickly, it was swallowed by resentment. Yes, they had treated Arthur unfairly. But no matter what, he had no right to go this far—to turn against the Gray family and Zac like this! Before Zac could even open his mouth, Raelynn and Julie—tears brimming in their eyes—spoke first. "Arthur, we were wrong. We failed you. We don’t even have the right to ask for your forgiveness." Rosie and Susie stayed silent, but the shame on their faces was unmistakable. Their regret cut into Zac like a blade. Arthur's expression remained unwavering. Their remorse didn’t move him in the slightest. Seeing his complete indifference, Raelynn broke down even more, her tears falling uncontrollably.