At that moment, the disappointment in their eyes felt sharp enough to pierce through me.

Even after being given a second chance at life, and even though I had tried my best to stay out of this matter, I had once again become the culprit in their eyes.

What made it even more ridiculous was that the so-called worthless university they mocked was actually the top law school in the country.

Unfortunately, their eyes saw only Ethan and my Sophia—both graduates of prestigious universities—and they had never cared to learn anything about me.

I brushed the tears from the corner of my eyes.

“Ethan graduated from a top university and works as a lawyer. I’ll call him now,” I said hurriedly.

“With him here, Grandpa will definitely be fine.”

Grandma clutched at the idea like a lifeline.

“Yes, my good grandson—he’s a great lawyer. Quick, call him… call him now…”

But Dad hesitated, his face full of reluctance, and he delayed making the call.

“Ethan has been very busy lately… maybe we shouldn’t bother him…”

Busy?

Of course, he was busy.

He was busy accompanying my dear mother while they spent time with his beloved future wife, Sophia.

Even though I had already seen through everything in my previous life and knew the truth, the realization still chilled my heart.

Grandma collapsed to the ground and burst into desperate sobs.

“This won’t work, and that won’t work—what are we supposed to do while Arthur waits inside the courthouse?

“I don’t care! No matter how important it is, nothing could be more important than his own Grandpa. Call him here right now!”

My aunt, Linda Bennett, who had rushed over after hearing the news, quickly chimed in,

“That’s right. The only one who can save him now is Ethan. Call him quickly.”

I immediately took out my phone and dialed my brother’s number.

As the busy tones echoed from the phone, the atmosphere turned helpless.

“What’s going on? What on earth is Ethan doing? Why isn’t he answering the phone?” Grandma shouted in agitation.

Aunt Linda tried to calm her down.

“Mom, don’t panic. Maybe Ethan didn’t see the call. Let’s wait a moment and give him some time.”

Seeing this, Dad followed my Aunt Linda’s lead.

“That’s right, Mom. Ethan might be busy. Don’t worry, I—”

Dad’s words were cut off when the call suddenly connected.

“Don’t you have anything better to do?

“Are you so bored that you have to call me all day?

“I’ve told you hundreds of times, if you have problems, figure them out yourself.

“If there’s nothing important, stop calling me. I don’t have time to deal with you. Got it?”

…

I took a deep breath and said into the phone with feigned urgency, “Ethan, I’m really in a hurry right now. Grandpa—he…”

Before I could finish speaking, my brother’s voice came through the phone.

“Stop. Whether you’re in a hurry is your problem. I told you already—figure it out yourself.”

With that, the screen showed that the call had ended.

I stared blankly at the disconnected call.

Aunt Linda hurriedly snatched the phone from my hand and sent my brother a message, telling him that Grandpa was waiting at the courthouse for a defense.

My brother replied instantly with three voice messages.

“Are you trying to make me laugh? Grandpa accused of rape at the courthouse? Hahaha…”

“Are you stupid? Seriously, if you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. Watch what you say. You’re even spreading rumors about Grandpa now?”

The third voice message was from my mother.

“You little brat, are you asking for trouble? You even dare to slander your own Grandpa? Just wait until I get back and see how I deal with you.”

Aunt Linda sent another message, but all she received in return was a red exclamation mark.

Seeing this, Grandma burst into furious curses at Dad.

“So this is your wonderful wife and son. What are they doing? What on earth are they doing right now?”

Dad looked guilty as he admitted that they were actually traveling.

Grandma trembled with rage and nearly fainted.

As the trial drew closer, Aunt Linda grew frantic.

“Daniel, call them again and tell them to come back. We’re really running out of time.”

Grandma shoved Dad as she scolded him.

“I think you’ve truly lost your mind. At a time like this, when your father is facing something so serious, you still dare to hesitate. Do you even care about this family at all?

“Call them now! Tell them to come back immediately!”

Dad fumbled with his phone and quickly called Ethan.

“Son, hurry and bring your mom back with you. Something has really happened to your Grandpa. He needs you to defend him…”

From the other end of the line came the boarding announcement at the airport, along with Sophia urging Ethan impatiently.

“Ethan, Mom, let’s hurry and board. I’ve been looking forward to going to Moonlake for so long…”

After a clamor of background noise, Ethan finally responded.

“Dad, what are you doing? What benefit is Charlotte giving you that makes you help her like this?

“A ridiculous lie like this—and you’re going along with her! She has no brains, and yet you follow her lead…”

Dad quickly interrupted him.

“Ethan, I’m dead serious. Your Grandpa is sitting in the courthouse right now.

“The trial is about to start. You need to get here immediately. Do you understand?”

Ethan hesitated for a moment, about to say he would, when Sophia’s whiny voice came through.

“We’re about to take off. Do we really have to get off the plane now…?

“We’ve been planning this for so long. If we don’t go now, wouldn’t it be such a shame?”

Mom snatched the phone from him.

“We’re taking off now, don’t argue. It’s not easy for us to travel with Sophia. We can talk about it when we get back.

“Honey, you’re a grown man. You need to use your judgment—don’t believe everything you hear…

“To hell with your judgment! I’m telling you, if you don’t come back now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life…”

“What are you doing? Step aside, let me talk…”

Seeing Dad and Aunt Linda crowding around the phone, Grandma snatched it.

“Rebecca, I don’t have time for your games!

“Can you stop messing around? Right now, we really need Ethan to help Arthur.

“I’ve never begged you in my life. Now, I’m begging you—please, just once, trust me. If I lie to you, may I never find peace in this life!”

I could hear Mom sigh.

“Pah! Mom, what are you saying? Is it worth it for the lies of a useless girl?

“Oh, I really can’t with you. You just can’t stand me and Ethan taking Sophia out for a trip? Fine, I believe you!

“Now tell Dad. In two days, after our trip, we’ll come back and deal with whatever lawsuit or defense.

“That’s settled. We’re taking off. Bye.”

As the call ended again, Grandma threw the phone to the ground.

Aunt Linda sighed, picked up the phone helplessly, and handed it to Dad.

Seeing Grandma begin to collapse into despair once more, everyone froze.

No one had expected that in Mom and Ethan’s eyes, a trip with Sophia mattered more than Grandpa’s immediate imprisonment.

I calmly steadied Grandma, watching as each of them fell into helpless despair.

I felt an almost thrilling satisfaction.

In my previous life, when I had tried my best to help Grandpa, no one understood.

All I received were accusations and scolding, and in the end, Mom had run me over with her car.

So in this life, I would stand aside and watch.

How would this situation unfold now?

“Court is now in session! The defense lawyer for the defendant, please speak.

“The defense lawyer must arrive at the podium within three minutes to present their statement!

“Defense lawyer?”

With the judge’s repeated prompts, Grandma frantically dialed Mom and Ethan on her phone.

Time and again, no one answered.

Grandma’s despair reached its peak.

Tears streamed uncontrollably from Dad and Aunt Linda. Emotions in the room soared to a fever pitch.

“Pick up the phone! Answer me! What are you doing? Why aren’t you answering? Why…?”

Everyone kept calling and messaging Ethan and Mom, hoping for a break, a chance, any change.

“If the defense lawyer fails to appear, the plaintiff will be deemed the winner.”

With the judge’s countdown, the minutes began to slip away.

Grandma clutched her chest, sobbing. “I regret it! I regret having a thankless daughter and a thankless grandson!

“How could they act like this at such a critical moment? This is their own family!”

In the courthouse gallery, everyone watched helplessly as Grandpa sat in the defendant’s seat.

“Three!

“Two!

“One!

“The defense lawyer did not appear. I hereby uphold the judgment against the defendant.”