Chapter 114 Not the Killer, but the Victim
"Well, some people are just born bad. Arthur died a tragic death. He was killed by his niece, without any explanation. Poor him."
"What did the police say? Is the case closed just because he's dead?"
"When a person dies, it's all over."
"That's really unfair. One life and Pearl gets all the benefits!"
These comments made Kittie's face turn ugly. "They are speaking out of line. After all, they are relatives, they shouldn't gossip like that!"
They rarely interacted with these relatives, just exchanging greetings over time. Kittie looked at Pearl and said, "Pearl, don't listen to their nonsense. Let's lay flowers for Arthur and leave."
Kittie didn't want any trouble, and she wouldn't have come unless Pearl had insisted.
Pearl, on the other hand, was used to being scolded by people. Some relatives were worse than neighbors. Pearl didn't come just to pay her respects; she came to find out the real killer behind the scenes.
As they got out of the car, everyone's gaze focused on them. It was as if they were questioning how they dared to show up.
Pearl hadn't done anything wrong. If they didn't come, it would seem like they had something to hide.
Pearl looked at Arthur's grave, and his photo on it showed him in his youth.
Pearl walked in and saw Olivia and Isabelle crying, supported by others, and looking exhausted.
But as soon as they arrived, Olivia became agitated. Her eyes were red with anger, and she said sharply, "Pearl, how dare you show your face here? You're a murderer! If it weren't for you, how could Arthur have died so tragically? Why didn't the police arrest you? You're a killer!"
Someone pulled Olivia back, preventing her from getting closer to Pearl.
But even from Olivia's eyes, Pearl could see the hatred. Olivia blamed her for Arthur's death.
But was that the truth?
Pearl couldn't understand why all the accusations were directed at her. Clearly, Arthur's death was unjust, yet no one was holding the real killer accountable.
Looking at Olivia, Pearl said calmly, "I'm sorry for Arthur's death, but I'm not the one who killed him. You can't just accuse me like this. I know you're grieving, but we are also grieving as a family. Please don't be so upset."
Olivia's response was full of resentment. "Why shouldn't I be upset? You all stood by and watched Arthur die without offering help!"
Olivia's gaze shifted to Evans. "Evans, he's your brother, your brother. If you had helped him, would he have died? Are you happy now that he's dead?"
Evans stared at the black and white photo, remaining silent.
Olivia continued, "And Pearl if you had given us some money, things wouldn't have turned out this way. One life is nothing compared to yours!"
Olivia was getting increasingly emotional, continuously accusing them of being indifferent.
While Pearl remained composed, she also wanted Olivia to see the truth. Instead of complaining, she said, "Olivia, even if you hate me, understand one thing. Arthur died in a car explosion. Someone killed him. Until you find the real culprit, you can't avenge Arthur."
"The culprit is you!" Olivia refused to believe otherwise, her eyes burning with anger as she stared at Pearl. "You're the mastermind!"
"Pearl, you're in the wrong here." One relative stepped forward and said, "Your arrogance led to Arthur's death. Just like Olivia said, if you had lent some money, this tragedy wouldn't have happened. Arthur died, and now Olivia and Isabelle have to suffer!"
"You can't be so heartless!" echoed other relatives.
"We've heard that you, the Harris family, don't care about us common folks. Pearl didn't even invite us to her wedding; we only found out through Olivia's gossip that Pearl married into wealth. She looks down on us! Arrogance speaks volumes about your family."
This incident became an excuse for relatives to criticize them. Rather than blaming Pearl, they seemed more envious.
Among them, Pearl's family lived the best life.
They were all ordinary people with no chance of marrying into wealth. They had never even seen such wealth.
Other members of the Harris family couldn't stand to see Pearl's family living happily; it made them feel uneasy.
Why did the Harris family have such a stark difference in living standards?
"That's right, the Harris family doesn't welcome you."
Evans had grown accustomed to years of gossip but didn't want to be insulted by the Harris family members at the gathering. "We never had such thoughts. You don't know anything and yet speak so recklessly! I don't want to argue with you. We're here today to bid farewell to Arthur, so spare us your gossip!"
"Get out, all of you! We don't want you here. We don't need your condolences!" Olivia shouted, "You're all murderers!"
They forcefully pushed them out.
"You should go back to your big city. Arthur was just a sacrifice for your luxurious life. Don't come back to visit us!"
Pearl looked at them and said, "Fine, we won't go in, but the real killer is still out there."
Pearl had another purpose in coming; only when Olivia found the real culprit would she say, "Olivia, if you don't want Arthur's death to be in vain, I advise you..."
A glass of water was thrown at Pearl.
Isabelle grabbed a water pitcher from the table and poured it directly on Pearl, saying, "Real culprit? You are the culprit. Arthur died because of you, and you've ruined our family!"
"Arthur died because of you, you murderer!"
"Arthur, an elder, humbled himself to ask you for money many times, but you refused. You pushed him to this end. Even if he kidnapped you, it was because of you!"
"It serves you right. You caused a death!"
Pearl felt a chill from head to toe, having to endure the mockery and accusations from these relatives.
When did kidnapping become a matter of course?
It seemed like she deserved all of this.
Wiping the water off her face, Pearl felt the burden of Arthur's death and the need to find the mastermind behind it.
And the key players in all of this were Isabelle and Olivia.
"As elders, you should be fair. You are slandering us!" Evans defended Pearl, glaring at the relatives with anger. "We are all saddened by Arthur's death, but we can't ignore the fact that Arthur also made a big mistake. He..."
"You're Arthur's older brother. How can you say such things? Your whole family is a disaster!"
The accusations from the Harris family members shifted from Pearl to her family. They refused to listen to any explanations.
Pearl witnessed these people's madness for the first time. The Harris family members dared to say anything without considering the consequences.
Gradually, Pearl, Evans, and Kittie were cornered.
Pearl couldn't just sit back and take it. She saw a nearby water pipe and, with a cold expression, turned on the tap.
Without a word, Pearl aimed the water directly at the faces of the Harris family members.
"Ahh!"
The Harris family members backed away, trying to avoid getting wet on such a cold day.
"Are you the only one who can talk nonsense? Are you calm now?!" Pearl said.
"You're crazy, Pearl!"
"I'm not crazy; you are!"
Amidst the chaos, someone said, "Pearl is not the killer, but the victim. You refuse to hear the truth; it's all nonsense. You cornered Pearl and won't let her leave. Do you really think this place belongs to you?"
A cold and deep voice emerged from behind.
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