Chapter 1172 He Was Way Out of Line
Cassie had told Lucas about this before. He kind of believed it but didn't want to fully accept it.
If Lucas accepted it, it meant he had hired a lawyer to send Nina to prison, leading to her death.
Lucas preferred to think Nina was a terrible person who deserved what happened.
But now, Marcus admitted it.
Lucas knew he had messed up.
"Why did Marcus frame Nina? Did he have a grudge against her?" Lucas asked after a long pause.
"Nina was a scapegoat," Joseph explained. "Back then, Nina was close to Cassie and Laura, and we all hated Nina because of Megan. Marcus thought framing Nina would drive a wedge between Cassie and me. Cassie would believe Nina was innocent, and we'd think Cassie was biased. My relationship with Cassie started to fall apart from that point. Even you had issues with Cassie, and then Olivia drugged me, making things worse."
"Marcus was ruthless," Lucas said, staring out the window. He thought he was tough, but he'd never target innocent people.
"Yeah, I should've believed Cassie. She did a DNA test on Olivia and Robert, but I didn't trust her," Joseph said with a bitter smile. "Nina's death indirectly caused Esmeralda and William's deaths. The whole Zenith family is gone. There's no fixing this. I can't help Nathan and Megan."
Lucas stayed quiet, his eyes downcast. No one knew what he was thinking.
People might think he didn't care.
But Joseph knew better. Lucas hid his feelings even deeper.
"I'm leaving," Joseph said, patting Lucas's shoulder.
"Will you tell Cassie?" Lucas asked suddenly.
"No, I'm too selfish. If Cassie knows, she'll feel even more guilty and sad about Nina. We just got back together," Joseph said and left.
Lucas stood alone by the window for a long time.
The trial from three years ago, where Nina was sent to prison, replayed in his mind.
Nina kept saying she was innocent.
But Lucas didn't believe her, seeing her as a cruel person.
Until she screamed in despair, her eyes turning lifeless.
Lucas swept the cups off the table in frustration.
It was the only way to calm his restless heart.
Joseph returned to Mabel's hospital room.
Mabel was awake but seemed lifeless.
"Joseph, you're just in time. I don't know what's wrong with your mom. I've been talking to her, and she hasn't responded. It's not like her," Celeste whispered. "Is she still upset about Marcus being arrested?"
"No," Joseph cut her off, glancing around the room. "She found out Liam is my dad's son, my biological brother."
"What?" Celeste and Isaac were stunned. "Isn't Liam Marcus's son?"
Cassie frowned and looked at Mabel. She and Joseph had known for a while but didn't want to upset Mabel. Marcus must have spilled the beans.
"He's not Marcus's son," Mabel finally spoke, her voice hoarse and filled with sorrow. "I was wrong all along."
"How could you be so confused?" Isaac sighed. "As Liam's mother, you didn't even know who his father was."
Mabel didn't feel embarrassed, just empty. "I always thought I was a bad mother. Now I know I don't deserve to be one. For over twenty years, Marcus played me for a fool."
Tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at Joseph and said, "Joseph, I'm sorry to you and Liam. Liam died because of Marcus. I'm useless and stupid. I caused Liam's death."
She covered her eyes and cried.
She was a strong woman. Even when Marcus left her, she didn't cry like this.
But learning the truth broke her.
Everyone was speechless.
"It's not entirely your fault," Joseph said suddenly. "I knew about this a while ago. I asked Dad. That night, you were drunk, and he came to find you. When he woke up, he was too embarrassed to face you, so he left. Later, Marcus lied to you. Dad thought you got pregnant with Marcus's child shortly after your divorce, and he resented you. If you and Dad had been more mature back then, things would have been different. You looked down on him, and he had his pride."
"Mildred and Walter always said Cameron was a good guy," Isaac sighed. "You thought Cameron was after the Hernandez family's wealth, but it was Marcus who was."
"Alright, stop it. Don't upset Mabel more," Celeste glared at Isaac. "Both you and Cameron were at fault. No need to blame yourself entirely."
"No, it's mainly my fault," Mabel shook her head, wiping her face with a tissue. "Joseph, where is your dad?"
"He came back for revenge. Now that he's done, he'll stay a bit longer and then return to Yugrot. He's the chairman of the Garrison Group, and the company is there. He said he hates Whisperlyn City," Joseph said, sounding sad.
"He's the chairman of the Garrison Group?" Celeste was shocked. "That's one of the top companies in Yugrot. I never thought he, who was once penniless, could achieve such success."
"He's always been smart and capable. He was the top student in school. My prejudice clouded my judgment of him," Mabel said with difficulty. "Joseph, please thank him for last night."
"I will." Joseph took out a document. "This is the property deed for the Hernandez House."
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