Chapter 292: Sorry, I’m Late

All eyes fell on Jane Lancaster.

Jane Lancaster stated calmly, "This is certainly a major reversal, enough to clear all the stains from Luna’s name."

Julian Lancaster’s eyes lit up. He understood what Jane meant—

This large-scale online smear campaign against Luna Morgan was actually aimed at Jane Lancaster.

But the accusations were so sensational and spread so quickly that they were bound to damage Luna Morgan’s reputation. Therefore, it would take an equally sensational piece of news to completely eliminate the negative impact of this incident on her.

—And this was it.

When the hero who acted righteously turned out to be a cunning and vicious murderer who used a perfect murder to cover up her crimes and gain honor—

A story that shocking was far more terrifying and vile than Luna Morgan’s supposed love affairs.

That’s why it could perfectly redeem Luna Morgan, turning her into an object of public sympathy.

Jane Lancaster was stating a fact, but the others couldn’t understand. They would only think she was trying to make excuses.

Pauline Shaw scoffed in anger. "Even now, you’re still trying to sling mud at Luna? Do you have any idea how long Luna kept this secret for you?"

She questioned angrily, "If she had spoken up right away, would she have suffered so much? Would she have been the target of misplaced anger, torment, and insults for three whole years?"

"Pauline!" Luna Morgan’s eyes reddened. "Don’t say that about Miss Lancaster! She did nothing wrong!"

She had seen the public opinion online, but instead of feeling relieved, she only felt an immense weight on her heart.

"So what if Miss Lancaster hit Howard Lucas? He broke the law the moment he took that first hostage with a knife. He was trying to kill us back then..." Every time she remembered that scene, she would tremble with fear.

"In any case, under those circumstances, Miss Lancaster was not in the wrong! Her heroic act of sacrificing herself to save others should never be questioned!" Luna Morgan’s words were firm and resolute.

This had always been her firm conviction, one that had never wavered.

She wasn’t concerned with anything else. On this matter alone, Jane Lancaster was not wrong.

Chloe Dave grew anxious. "Luna!"

One of the subordinates came over and whispered something in Leo Grant’s ear.

Leo Grant sneered. "Miss Morgan has a habit of repaying malice with kindness, but unfortunately, some people don’t deserve it. Bring him up!"

Two bodyguards immediately led a man out from a small room around the corner of the stairs.

Many people present found the man’s face somewhat familiar. He was a male servant of the Lancaster family, usually quiet, reserved, and dull, so he didn’t have a strong presence.

But now, his hands were bound, and his mouth was taped shut. He clearly hadn’t been brought here by Leo Grant.

Caleb Lowell frowned at the man for a moment before turning a suspicious gaze toward Julian Lancaster.

The butler’s face fell. "How can you just barge into someone else’s home..."

"If my men hadn’t barged in, how would we have known that the Lancaster family was illegally detaining a servant, knowingly breaking the law?" Leo Grant retorted with a cold laugh.

The two Lancaster uncles slapped their thighs in dismay.

"What a disgrace!"

"At this point, Julian, you can’t keep covering for your sister anymore. Just let what happens, happen!"

"If she really broke the law, no one can save her! The Lancaster family has no place for a demon who would murder her own kin!"

The others instantly looked like they’d just gotten the scoop of a lifetime, completely shocked.

"Wait, does this mean... Jane Lancaster killed a close relative? Who, Adrian Lancaster?" Vincent Holt was suddenly excited. "Did she poison Adrian Lancaster?"

The hater group they were in had long suspected something like this, so it wasn’t a surprise at all!

Jim Jenson’s eyes flickered, however. ’Jane Lancaster poisoned and killed Adrian Lancaster? I find that hard to believe.’

Years ago, he had just made a joke about Alvin Lancaster, and she had been ready to drag him down with her. It showed how much she valued her family. How could she possibly kill her own kin?

But he and Jane Lancaster were enemies, so of course, he wouldn’t speak up for her. It was better to remain silent.

Jane Lancaster looked at the servant. She had a good memory, and she hadn’t interacted with this servant much at all.

She reached out and tore the tape from his mouth. "Go on. Tell them how I poisoned Adrian Lancaster."

The man was trembling with fear at first, but his gaze fell on her, and he slowly calmed down. "No, you didn’t poison him."

Jane Lancaster raised an eyebrow and turned to look at the butler and Julian Lancaster. ’What is this now?’

Julian Lancaster’s expression was grim, and the butler looked as if the sky was falling.

"...Because I was the one who did the poisoning," the man said through gritted teeth, as if he had steeled his resolve.

Leo Grant laughed, so hard that tears nearly came to his eyes. "What a loyal dog! Do you think if Jane Lancaster saw those secret photos of her in your room, she’d be happy, or would she be disgusted?"

The expression on Jane Lancaster’s face went completely blank.

For a moment, Julian Lancaster couldn’t bear to watch.

No matter how intelligent she was, she was only in her twenties, and she had spent three of those years in a coma. She didn’t know how vile people’s hearts could be.

Leo Grant paid no mind to any of that, simply motioning for his subordinate to bring up a tray.

All of this was ready; the butler had led people to collect it from the man’s room.

"Miss Lancaster, look. This man has had a secret crush on you for years. He even has photos of you from middle school."

The photos were all secretly taken. You could tell the man was timid; they were all shot from a great distance, and the quality wasn’t clear.

But the sheer, dense number of them was terrifying.

There were also some inconspicuous but private little items, including Jane Lancaster’s used toothbrush, a broken hair clip, fallen strands of hair... all sealed in transparent bags.

It was because these items were so unremarkable that they had never aroused anyone’s suspicion.

Jane Lancaster took a deep breath and swept the items to the floor. "Pervert!"

Leo Grant said, "But didn’t you take advantage of his perversion? He poisoned Adrian Lancaster at your suggestion. The hospital just confirmed it. Adrian was also suffering from another poison, the one this man mentioned. That’s the real reason he hasn’t woken up."

The man stared at Jane Lancaster with a crazed expression. "Young Miss, don’t be afraid! It’s okay, I’ll go to prison! I won’t let anything happen to you!"

His eyes were bloodshot as if he were lost in some fanatical delusion. "I’m willing to be your most loyal dog!"

Jane Lancaster took a few steps back, her eyes frantic. She wanted to get out of there.

In Aethelgard, the Black-Haired Oracle’s eyes narrowed. For the first time, he felt a surge of anger.

She was clearly afraid. The visceral fear and revulsion made her tremble, yet no one present stepped forward to shield her from the man’s fanatical, violating gaze.

Caleb Lowell noticed and was about to step forward, but Julian Lancaster blocked his path.

"My God, you still won’t admit it at this point?" Vincent Holt stepped forward to block her way. "Jane Lancaster, you’re so despicable, seducing this piece of trash to be your dirty glove."

He was about to shove Jane Lancaster toward the man when he suddenly felt a grip tighten around his neck.

Jasper Sterling lifted Vincent Holt by the collar and tossed him aside.

At the same time, he took off his overcoat and wrapped it around Jane Lancaster, covering her completely, head included.

The coat carried the crisp scent of pine from his body, along with his warmth, giving her an immense sense of security.

"Jasper Sterling?" she asked, her voice dazed.

"Yes." Jasper Sterling’s heart clenched. "I’m sorry I’m late. Don’t be afraid."