“Punish everyone as you see fit. But Leave your father alone. As an elder, it's justified for your father to teach Debbie a lesson or two.

He didn't mean to hurt your wife. So, just Let him go, please.”

Carlos responded with silence.

An awkward silence fell between them as Valerie fixed her gaze on him, waiting for a response. When she realized he wasn't going to answer, she sighed helplessly and continued on her way upstairs.

“How did things get so bad? What a misfortune to befall the Hilton family!" she grumbled on her way up.

After the old lady left, Hayden and Portia also left the manor. Lewis gripped Wade's clothes and kept eagerly asking, “Dad, is it true that

I'm not your son? How come? Then who am I? Where am I from?"

In silence, Wade lowered his head. Getting no response from his father,

Lewis turned to Miranda with the same questions.

"This is not the right time for what you're asking. That can come later. But for now, you should first take responsibility for what you've done," a nonchalant

Miranda replied.

Lewis finally stopped asking. This secret alone was a big blow, far more devastating than facing the wrath of Carlos.

When the living room returned to normalcy again, Carlos looked at James and said coldly, “I don't think we need to talk anymore. You know your punishment. The police are here. Just go with them."

One of the policemen put down his cup of tea, stood up and came up to

James, ready to handcuff him. The latter covered his chest to steady his breathing. He was breathing fire as he stared at his son in disbelief. Trying to mediate, but very much aware it wouldn't be easy, Wade stood up and advised Carlos, "Give it some thought. If people get wind of it that you sent your father to jail, I don't think you'd like the ramifications, both on you and on your company. You should bear the bigger picture in mind."

Carlos sneered, "All of you ask me to think about this, think about that. Has any one of you think about Debbie? Did he think about her feelings when he slapped her severally? Did he even think about the

Hilton family's interests? And as an elder, he hit his daughter-in-law for no reasons. What would the public think if they knew about this?

Wouldn't it do harm to the company too?"

Wade was lost for words. Still, no one was able to change Carlos‘ mind.

Crying, Tabitha ran up to him and fell to her knees.

"Carlos, I beg you. Please don't do that. I'll apologize to Debbie on your dad's behalf. Okay? Whatever it takes to make peace, I'm willing to do it with a sincere heart."

But her attitude and way of defending James only added fuel to the fire. In a huff, Carlos shot to his feet and moved to her side.

"Mom, what do you mean by doing this?" he asked coldly.

“Carlos, Listen to me. Don't put your dad in jail for a woman's sake.

If your dad is locked up behind bars, how will I live on? Please consider me, I plead."