Chapter 383 Pushed Into the Pool
Mr. Allen found himself taken aback. He questioned, "Mr. Bourbon, how can you be so quick to judge? My granddaughters had a minor squabble with Abella, but it's hardly a reason to resort to murder.
Surely, someone is trying to drive a wedge between our families."Mr. Bourbon's face tightened, looking as though he was ready to flip a table if one had been within his reach.
"Are you suggesting Abella is slandering them?""No, I mean... shouldn't we release Calla and Lucine until we've unraveled the truth?" Mr. Allen suggested hesitantly.Mr. Bourbon gestured dismissively, preparing to ascend the staircase. "You said it yourself. This is Abella's call. I can't override that."
"Mr. Bourbon," Mr. Allen interjected, "she's your future granddaughter-in-law. Surely, with just one word from you, she would have to listen, wouldn't she?"
Mr. Bourbon turned back, emphasizing each word. "You've got that wrong. Precisely because she is going to be part of the Bourbon family, I'll support her no matter what.
Not just back her up. If anyone dares to cross her under my roof, I'll hold them accountable! You better hope your granddaughters haven't committed any unforgivable sins, or else there'll be hell to pay!""Mr. Bourbon!"
Mr. Allen, realizing that Mr. Bourbon had no intention of intervening, was infuriated. "Don't forget that it was I who saved your son's life! Without me, where would your precious grandson and granddaughter-in-law be now?"
Mr. Bourbon halted, giving him a look that was hard to read. "Let's put it nicely. The Bourbon family owes me a favor. To speak frankly, the Bourbon family owes me two lives!"
Mr. Allen declared. Had he not saved Phillipe's father years ago, there would be no Phillipe.
Essentially, he had saved two lives for the Bourbon family in one go."So, you're here to claim a debt for saving lives?"
Mr. Bourbon's eyes held a trace of scorn."Exactly!" Mr. Allen, forsaking any pretense of familial closeness, laid bare the stakes.
"Even if Lucine and Calla have indeed done something wrong, I saved your son and grandson's lives. By letting them go, we're even!"
"Do you really think your two granddaughters are worth half of my son's life? If people of the Allen family really hired a hit on Abella, don't expect me to let you off the hook!"
"Mr. Bourbon, you can't forget the debts you owe me. I saved your son once, giving you a grandson who is now doing so well. It happened all thanks to me." Mr. Allen closed in with a stern look, "If it's difficult for you to talk to Abella directly or you feel awkward about it, let me handle it. Give her a call right now, and I'll speak to her myself."
"You're trying to make things hard for Abella? I'm not dead yet! It's not your place, as an outsider, to target her."Before Mr. Bourbon could finish, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Abella calling.Mr. Allen noticed the shift in his expression.
There was no need to guess. It was certainly Abella!He lunged to grab Mr. Bourbon's phone, but Mr. Bourbon had already answered.He couldn't bring himself to hang up Abella's call, nor could he pretend not to see her calling.
"Hello? Abella, sweetheart." Mr. Bourbon's tone was gentle and soft, a stark contrast to the hardness just moments before.
Yet Abella still sensed the weariness in his voice.Without waiting for Abella to speak, Mr. Bourbon announced, "I know what you're up to, and I've got your back. Go for it, and let's see who dares to stop you."
Those last words were meant for Mr. Allen.Fuming with anger, Mr. Allen made a move to snatch the phone."Grandpa," Abella's pleasant voice came through from the other end, "I called to ask if Mr. Allen came to see you. Is he there with you right now?"
"You. Why do you ask that?" He was caught off guard."Turn on the speakerphone. I have something to say."
Despite his initial reluctance, which was rooted in Mr. Bourbon's preference for direct communication, he complied with Abella's request."Here's the crux of the matter," she began, "Phillipe's father was pushed into a swimming pool by Mr. Allen.
I have discovered an eyewitness."At this revelation, disbelief widened Mr. Bourbon's eyes as he swiveled to face Mr. Allen.Taken aback, Mr. Allen retorted, "You're spouting nonsense! After dragging Lucine and Calla's names through the mud, you now seek to tarnish my reputation.
"Abella continued with her account, "Phillipe's father was a mere four years old during his grand birthday celebration. Amidst the playful pursuits with his friends, he found himself near the pool.
Mr. Allen saw him and gave him a push. That's why he fell in.""Instead of diving in to save the child immediately, Mr. Allen stood by. It was his driver who, after using the restroom, noticed the situation and hastily leaped into the water to rescue Phillipe's father."
"The pool was secluded, devoid of any surveillance, and a considerable distance from the main event area. No one witnessed the incident. The driver, perhaps intending to save the child, suggested to Mr. Allen that it would be more advantageous to be hailed as a hero who saved a life and maintain ties with the Bourbon family, rather than be seen as the one who harmed the child."
"As the driver departed through a side exit, only Mr. Allen and Phillipe's unconscious father remained by the pool. After a moment's contemplation, Mr. Allen finally raised the alarm, drawing a crowd of guests to the scene."
"Thus, everyone was under the impression that it was Mr. Allen who saved Phillipe's father, but that was far from the truth."Mr. Allen's face darkened with agitation, "You impudent girl, how dare you concoct such a tale at your tender age as if you were a witness! Is the Bourbon family attempting to evade their debt by fabricating this pathetic excuse? You admitted it yourself. There were no cameras near the pool."
"Indeed, but I also mentioned that I have an eyewitness," Abella retorted calmly, "The Bourbon family had recently hired a maid who was unaccustomed to such opulent birthday parties. While her employers were preoccupied, she covertly used her phone to record videos of the garden decorations and inadvertently captured your actions on camera!"
Mr. Bourbon's memory was jogged, "Ah yes, we did have a new maid at that time." His eyes reddened and his body trembled with rage as he glared at Mr. Allen, "So, it was you who pushed my son into the pool."Mr. Allen grew visibly nervous, "Your son himself claimed that he slipped and fell into the pool accidentally. How am I involved in this?"
"He was only four years old! He fell in, ingested water, and was unconscious and feverish for three days. Naturally, he doesn't remember how he fell! He doesn't have eyes in the back of his head to see who pushed him!"
Mr. Bourbon, seething with anger, advanced on Mr. Allen, "You dared to harm a four-year-old child. Over the years, you've exploited our Bourbon family under the pretense of being a heroic lifesaver! You're worse than a beast!"
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