517 âIâve never seen this before.â Philipcouldnât manage a smile.
Marve continued, âReally? But I found it inChapter your clothes, Uncle Phil. Considering how carefully you kept it, itâs hard to believe that youâve never seen it.â
âMaeve, Iâve raised you for years, and is this how you repay me? just to question me?â
Zion suddenly kicked the table beside him.
Startled, Philip looked at Zion, who spoke coldly, âAnswer her questions clearly.â
Faced with Zionâs stemness, Philip took a deep breath and said, âYes, the key is mine! Itâs just for the family storeroom. It isnât even worth much.â
âIs it for the storeroom or the memorial hall?â
At the mention of âmemorial hallâ, Philipâs expression shifted drastically.
Maeve pressed. âUncle Phi, I want a straightforward answer. Did you steal the memorial hall key from my father?â
âThatâs absurd! Patrick gave it to me e years ago!â
Philip stood up, agitated, but Zionâs chilling command cut through, âSit down!â
Philipâs anger deflated as he was intimidated by Zion. He sank back into his chair reluctantly and mumbled, âMavy, despite my mistakes, Iâm still your Uncle Phill, and Patrick was my brother. How could I steal anything from him?â
âWhat wouldnât you do for gambling debts, Uncle Phil? If youâd harm your own niece, itâs not a stretch to think youâd hurt your own brother.â
Maeveâs words made Philip bristle. âMarve, what do your mean? Are you accusing me of killing Patrick?â
âSeems youâre not willing to talk straight.â Zionâs voice cut in sharply.
Philip knew Zionâs methods well, with him present, Philip dared not overstep. He clenched his teeth and said, âFine, if you think I killed Patrick, then so be it. Blame it all on me. I have no more to say.â
âUncle Phil, your selfârighteousness makes it seem like youâre not the killer but a victim.â
Without Zionâs evidence, Maeve never would have guessed that onceâc close brothers could come to this.
Maeve continued, âYou bribed a man named Ethan Reed to do something for you, promising to help save his child.â
Philip was caught off guard. His carefully laid plans had been unraveling for over a decade, and he hadnât seen this coming.
He swallowed nervously but tried to maintain his composure. âWhat are you talking about? I donât know what youâre talking about! I donât know anything about Erhan or any child Iâve never heard of it.â
âMr. Spencer, heâs questioning your abilities.â Maeve glanced at Zion, who didnât come emptyâhanded. His phone was filled with testimonies from Ethanâs grown son. âThatâs just one side of the story. Guys! I didnât kill Patrick, I swear. I admit I was jealous, but I would never go that far! Patrick was always so land to me Before Philip could finish, Maeve lifted her gaze and said coldly, âWhat if my father found out about your gambling?â
Philip went silent at her words âMy father treated you well, but according to the Scott family rules, any descendant involved in gambling must be expelled from the family.â