Chapter 62 You're even eager to answer!
Sarah's expression changed. "Grandpa! Why should Andy be the one to introduce it?"
Before she could finish her question, she was directly interrupted by Grandpa Johnson.
In a stern voice, he interrupted, "Sarah, who gave you the right to speak to me in that tone? The decisions of the Johnson family are mine to make. I had Andy introduce, is there a problem?"
"But Grandpa, didn't you say before that we should each write a good bid proposal? This proposal was clearly written by me, so shouldn't I be the one to present it? Why Andy?" Sarah interjected.
At that moment, Andy raised an eyebrow, coldly staring at Sarah. "This proposal was clearly written by me! What's your motive for claiming it as yours?"
"What?" Sarah couldn't believe her ears. "Andy! I handed this proposal to Grandpa myself. How could you dare to say it's yours?"
Andy's face turned red as he retorted, "Do you have any evidence to support your claim? Is there your signature on the proposal?"
"I..." Sarah's heart skipped a beat as she realized she had forgotten to sign the proposal she had written overnight. She hadn't even considered the idea of signing it!
"But when I handed it to Grandpa, everyone saw it!" Sarah continued to explain.
"Who saw it?" Andy mocked, exchanging glances with the others from the Johnson family.
The rest of the Johnson family immediately chimed in:
"What proposal? I didn't see anything!"
"You clearly came empty-handed, without a proposal!"
"This proposal was diligently written by Andy, what does it have to do with you?"
Even Grandpa Johnson personally spoke up, "Sarah, don't lie in front of all these people. Andy handed me this proposal himself, and you didn't give me any proposal!"
Faced with the entire Johnson family defending Andy with each word, Sarah stared blankly, her mind racing! This turn of events was unexpected yet somehow expected. She now understood.
Why did Grandpa ask her to hand over the proposal? It was all a setup for this moment.
What a cunning scheme! Especially since her parents and Ryder were not around when she submitted the proposal.
No witnesses. There was simply no way to defend herself. Sarah gritted her teeth, the disappointment and frustration surged in her chest! For this bidding opportunity, she had put in countless hours of research without rest. Even after the incident with Sam that nearly humiliated her, she remained strong and completed the proposal.
But what did she get in return? Manipulation and targeting from her own family! There was no fairness or compassion!
With tears welling up in her eyes, Sarah asked, struggling to hold back her emotions, "Can you all live with a clear conscience after doing this? Aren't you afraid of facing consequences?"
Grandpa Johnson was particularly averse to hearing talk of consequences like this.
His brows furrowed as he sternly reprimanded Sarah, "As a member of the family, you must abide by the family rules! Say one more word, and don't blame me for not showing mercy!"
Saying that, he cast a blaming gaze at Sarah's parents.
Sarah's parents shrank their necks in fear. They thought, if this made Grandpa Johnson completely furious and kicked them out of the Johnson family, wouldn't they be in big trouble?
They absolutely couldn't let that happen! Karen quickly reminded Sarah, "Shut up! Don't make him angry!"
"Mom! I truly wrote this proposal, they're falsely accusing me! As I was growing up, when have I ever lied?" Sarah had a look of unwillingness. She really hoped her own parents would stand up for her!
Karen furrowed her brows impatiently and retorted, "Stop explaining! How could Grandpa accuse you unjustly? I bet you wasted time with that good-for-nothing Ryder these past few days, and you didn't even write the proposal! Don't say anything more!"
"But Mom..." Sarah didn't even finish her sentence when Karen suddenly slapped her across the face. "I told you to shut up, stop causing trouble for our family!"
Karen appeared extremely frustrated! Sarah covered her slapped cheek and sat there, at a loss for what to do! Although this slap wasn't heavy, it deeply pierced her heart. Because even though Karen had a fierce and unreasonable personality, she had at most been stern with Sarah and scolded her a bit! Today was the first time she had slapped her.
In truth, Sarah understood that Karen slapped her because she was worried that Grandpa would get angry and kick them out of the Johnson family. They had to put on a show for Grandpa. But Sarah found it hard to accept this kind of performance!
At this moment, even Ernest, who was usually quiet, spoke up, "Sarah, listen to your mom! Don't disappoint us again!"
"...Disappoint?" Sarah murmured with a complicated expression.
All of this was her fate. Perhaps it had been determined since the day she was born, that no matter how much she struggled or worked hard, she would never receive any rewards or recognition! Even her own parents didn't trust her. The more she rebelled, the deeper the wounds! Her heart was broken, and she felt hopeless.
She held back her tears and choked out to the Johnson family, "I'm sorry... I was wrong!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of the Johnson family lit up with smug smiles.
Especially Andy, who raised his head and chest like a victorious rooster, said, "If only we had known earlier, why bother now!"
Abigail finally breathed a sigh of relief and sarcastically remarked, "The wicked scheme of a despicable person has failed. Let's celebrate tonight no matter what!"
Even the person sitting next to Sarah, John, ironically expressed his approval, "Well said!"
Across from her, Elena followed with a sneer, "No wonder someone can only find a waste as a son-in-law. Turns out, he himself is just a shameless garbage trying to steal others' achievements!"
The Windsor Group burst into laughter.
Hearing all this, Sarah felt even more aggrieved. At this moment, she was unable to argue back; all she could do was escape. Staying here would only bring more humiliation and disappointment. Just as she was preparing to get up and find an excuse to leave in the next second.
Ryder suddenly placed his hand on hers and gently said, "The bidding isn't over yet. It's not time to leave!"
Upon hearing this, Sarah felt a mix of restlessness and dissatisfaction, her eyes turning red. She asked, "What do you mean? Do you still want to see me make a fool of myself here?"
"I didn't mean that!" Ryder patiently explained, showing a confident and determined expression. "I said I came here today to cheer you on in the bidding, to ensure you successfully win the bid and justify your efforts over the years!"
Before Sarah could respond in any way, Andy sneered first, saying, "Ryder, have you lost your mind? Now, representing the Johnson family, it has nothing to do with Sarah, right? Unless you want Sarah to represent the subsidiary she's in charge of to bid?"
Ryder turned his head, giving a serious answer, "You idiot finally made a smart move; you even managed to answer. Well done!"