Chapter 273 I Don't Accept Your Apology
Kevin's face went ghost-white. He felt like crap, both embarrassed and bitter. That day, when he and the others had ganged up on Elizabeth, he hadn't thought much of it. But now, hearing the recording, all their nasty words were out in the open.
Suddenly, seeing it from an outsider's view, he realized just how messed up they had been.
In front of everyone there and the livestream audience, Kevin looked at Elizabeth and said, "I'm sorry, we really screwed up before. I apologize. After you came back, we just believed Brenda without checking the facts. We blamed you, and that was on us. I'm sorry!"
Elizabeth shot back coldly, "I don't accept your apology. If hurting someone could be fixed with just a 'sorry,' wouldn't that be a joke?"
Raymond jumped in, "Exactly, what's the point of saying sorry now? Elizabeth's scared of you guys and just wants you to leave her alone. She doesn't want your apology; she doesn't care about it."
Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah, I don't care."
In her past life, she might've wanted an apology, but now, she neither needed nor cared for it.
She never expected that after all she'd been through, neither her family nor Eugene got her. Instead, only Raymond understood her and spoke up for her.
Her eyes landed on Raymond, and a hint of warmth and a smile appeared.
Eugene had been watching Elizabeth since she started playing the recording. After hearing it, his heart ached. He truly hadn't known Elizabeth was treated like this by the Clark family. She never bad-mouthed them or complained to him. He never thought the reality was so harsh.
Eugene blamed himself even more for not asking Elizabeth about these things back then. Instead, he let Amy's words sway him and lost his old concern for Elizabeth. No wonder Elizabeth wanted to break up with him after finding out he was secretly in touch with Brenda and trying to help her get on this show.
He thought, 'I deserve it. I've let Elizabeth, who I've protected for so many years, suffer so much. And I'm one of those who hurt her. I really deserve it.'
Eugene's heart felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand needles as he watched Raymond consistently step in to protect Elizabeth whenever she was questioned by Enrique, Kevin, or Arnold.
Before coming to Clifftonshireburg, whenever Elizabeth had a problem, Eugene would be the first to protect her. But after coming to Clifftonshireburg, he let others influence him and learned to look at her coldly. He had become the kind of person he once despised the most.
Then Eugene noticed that Elizabeth's gaze toward Raymond had a different sparkle than before. His heart ached even more. He knew things were heading in a direction he least wanted and least wished to see.
Eugene wanted to say something, but he couldn't get the words out. He thought, 'Blame Kevin and the others? But I hurt Elizabeth too. I have no right to blame anyone. Stand up like Raymond and protect Elizabeth? But Raymond's already taken the lead. If I step up now, it'll just look fake.'
More importantly, although Eugene didn't want to admit it, he knew Elizabeth neither needed nor cared for his protection now.
Kevin also felt like crap at this moment. Elizabeth, their dear sister, didn't even accept their apology, showing just how deeply they hurt her. She had always been good to them.
He pursed his lips and said softly, "Even though you don't accept it, I still want to say I'm sorry. I also want to make up for the mistakes I made in the past."
Elizabeth immediately shook her head and declared, "No. I really don't need your so-called compensation. Just leave me alone in the future, and that will be thanks enough."
Her words were harsh. But everyone present didn't think Elizabeth was being excessive. Instead, they understood that Elizabeth just wanted some peace; otherwise, why would she cut ties?
Kevin's heart felt like it was being stabbed. He suddenly remembered the young Elizabeth who used to follow him around, now just a blurry memory.
He composed himself and, with some difficulty, spoke again, "Alright, if that's what you want, then I'll do as you wish."
Standing in front, Enrique was at a loss for words. But he insisted, "We are family. Do we really need to hold grudges?"
Elizabeth looked at him and said bluntly, "Yes, I do. And I'll say it again in front of everyone. I have already cut ties with the Clark family and you all. So please don't talk to me about being family. I only find it ironic and laughable."
Kevin stopped Enrique. "Enrique, stop saying such foolish things. The one we hurt is Elizabeth, and only she feels it the most. Standing as the perpetrator and saying such things, even I can't stand it."
Enrique felt embarrassed being called out by Kevin. He muttered, "We didn't do it on purpose before, and she might have misunderstood us. I thought we were family, and if she and Brenda cleared up their misunderstandings, they could get along."
He continued, "Our family didn't adopt the wrong child, and adopting Brenda was our parents' decision. So Brenda is blameless, too. I just wanted Elizabeth not to take it out on her. Their conflict isn't a big deal. If they both take a step back, wouldn't everything be fine? Brenda took the initiative to greet Elizabeth, which was a step back and a gesture of goodwill. Elizabeth didn't accept it, so I stood up and said what I did."
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