Chapter 439 Grace's Counterattack
Silver Birch Sanctuary.
When Patricia returned to the Koch family residence, she immediately sought out Shane.
At that moment, Shane was having a serious conversation with Riley in the study. Both men looked solemn.
Since the game, Shane had worn a grim expression, his eyes veiling a murky disappointment for Grace. "It's my fault. I should never have stopped your aunt from being with that man. That led to Grace turning out like this. It's all on me."
He was filled with regret so intense it was almost palpable, but what was done was done. Time couldn't be reversed.
"Grandpa, don't say that!" Riley tried to console him. "It's not your fault. We've been guiding her ever since she got back. It's her unwillingness to learn that got us here."
Shane let out a heavy sigh, and Riley's words did little to ease the heavy guilt he felt.
Just then, a knock on the study door broke the silence, and Patricia's voice came from outside, "Shane, it's me, Patricia!"
Shane and Riley exchanged glances before Riley went to open the door.
Patricia wasn't surprised to find Riley in Shane's room. She walked in slowly, her eyes downcast, her hands wringing the hem of her shirt as she choked with guilt, "Grandpa, big brother, I'm sorry!"
Shane hadn't blamed her to begin with, and her apology only reinforced his belief that she was obedient and sensible. "Silly girl, this isn't your fault. There's no need for you to apologize."
But Patricia insisted, "But it started because of me! And there's that video online. I don't know who released it or how they got it. Regardless of the reason, the Koch Group's reputation has taken a hit, and the stock price plummeted. I'm truly sorry."
Her head remained low, so Shane and Riley couldn't discern her expression. Yet, a mix of guilt, self-reproach, and anger was detectable in her voice.
She faked the initial part of her speech, but the latter came straight from the heart. Today's events had indeed put the Koch Group in the hot seat. The Koch Group suffered collateral damage due to Grace's actions, and its reputation and stock prices were severely dented. And she was the one behind the scenes.
She truly felt sorry, yet she harbored no regrets. It was all Grace's own making.
Riley patted her shoulder reassuringly, "You don't have to feel guilty. None of this is on you; you're the victim here. If anything, Grace dug her own grave, and now it's just coming to light."
He was certain that Patricia had nothing to do with the video leak.
First, Patricia was at the competition; she couldn't possibly multitask to that extent.
Second, Patricia had always thought the cameras were out of order; she had no idea about the video. The only ones who had seen it were him, Grandpa, and Martin.
Third, the surveillance footage was a Koch family secret, and Patricia didn't have the means to get her hands on it.
Thus, he was convinced that Patricia was in no way involved.
"But..." Patricia started to say.
Shane cut in, "No buts. If anyone owes you an apology today, it's me. Grace nearly killed you before. She stole your designs this time and ruined your relationship with Jeremy. I'm truly sorry for what she did. I'm not asking you to forgive her. I just hope you won't blame me. She's still my granddaughter, and no matter how angry I am, I can't seek revenge on your behalf."
Despite no longer defending Grace, he had conveyed a clear message to Patricia: he wouldn't punish Grace.
The reason was simple. She was his granddaughter. He didn't have the heart to do it. He couldn't bring himself to punish his flesh and blood over an outsider.
Although Patricia anticipated this, Shane's words still pierced her with a sharp pang of distress and a strong sense of injustice that almost brought her to tears. But she understood. After all, no one can truly be expected to turn against their kin.
"I get it. I won't forgive her, but for the sake of you and Jeremy, I'll let it go and won't bring it up again. Besides, I already had my moment at the competition."
Shane's eyes welled up with gratitude. "Thank you. You're so mature."
Patricia smiled and shook her head. They talked a bit longer, and just as she was getting ready to leave, the study door burst open. Grace ran in excitedly.
Upon seeing Patricia, she paused, frowning. "What are you doing here?"
"I was just—"
Before Patricia could respond, Grace cut through the tension, "This is the Koch family library, not your home. Who said you could barge in here?"
Patricia suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
Grace was relentless. "Don't think I can't see right through you. Let me tell you, I—"
"Enough, Grace," Shane sharply rebuked. "Is this how you act after doing something wrong? If it hadn't been for Patricia holding back, you'd be in deep trouble right now. Do you think you would even be standing here?"
For the first time, he was overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness. He really didn't know how to handle his granddaughter anymore.
Grace snorted and shot Patricia a smug glance, which baffled her.
Pulling out her phone from her pocket, Grace waved it at Patricia with a triumphant smirk. "You think you're so smart? I recorded the whole thing. I've captured every word you said in the hallway. Grandpa and my big brother are going to see your true colors."
Understanding dawned on Patricia, and unmistakable panic flashed across her face and eyes.
Grace, observing Patricia's subtle reaction, swelled with pride. In contrast, Riley seemed to share Shane's troubled expression.
"Grace, must you continue this ridiculous charade?" Riley demanded.
"Big brother, I'm telling the truth; you have to believe me! Everything that happened today was all part of her plan," Grace said desperately.
Both men furrowed their brows. Riley raised his voice, saying, "Grace, do you understand the seriousness of your accusations?"
Grace knew he wouldn't take her word for it and insisted, "It's the truth! She told me where the design was hidden, luring me to steal it. Then, today, she exposed me, tarnishing my reputation as well as the Koch Group's. And that's not all. The video that went viral? She leaked it."
Riley's face showed shades of anger, the veins in his forehead bulging and his fists clenched.
Grace knew they wouldn't take her side, so she was already scrolling through her phone. "Right after the competition ended, I caught her in the hallway. She confessed everything, and I recorded it all. Just listen if you don't believe me."
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