CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: NINE PARTS TRUTH, ONE PART LIE

The light of hatred burst from Connor’s mother’s eyes!

"If you want to hate, you should hate them!"

"When you lived with your father, didn’t you hear him mention it?"

"That kidnapping back then was orchestrated by the Kaven Family! That unknown injection was given to me by them! It was them!"

Connor’s mother was breathing heavily, "They caused the genetic mutation while you were in the womb! Made you born a half-beastman!"

"And you, unaware of it all, thought they helped you? Thought your suffering came from me?"

She broke down in tears, "Connor, my suffering is no less than yours!"

Connor’s eyes were full of shock, followed by confusion and helplessness...

"You’re lying to me! You must be lying to me!" Connor murmured, his eyes suddenly fixed on her.

She clenched her fists and took a deep breath, "If you don’t believe me, I can present the evidence to you! The Kaven Family’s madness when they kidnapped me back then is a fact!"

"Those test results are still there! When I was pregnant with you, everything was fine! It was only after the kidnapping that you exhibited atavistic traits..."

"You don’t hate those you should hate but instead blame me, the victim? Of course, you can blame me because I didn’t protect you back then, letting you suffer!"

"But what wrong did Damon do?" She looked earnestly at Connor, "Has he ever wronged you?"

"Damon has always been sincere, never discriminating against you because you’re a half-beastman! He treats you like a blood brother! Any fault can’t possibly be his!"

"Mother doesn’t ask for your forgiveness, but please, clear Damon’s name! Do you really want him to stay in the dark Undersea Prison for life?"

She covered her face, "Ever since he was thrown in prison, he’s said nothing. He used to... love to laugh so much?"

"Do you really want to ruin his whole life?"

Connor fell completely silent.

He remembered Damon patting his shoulder and telling everyone he was like a brother, remembering the times Damon stood up for him against mockery...

He did feel guilty for using Damon.

"Think it over..." She wiped a tear away and turned to leave.

As she walked away, her legs almost gave out, nearly causing her to collapse.

The Beast Husband immediately supported her, "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine, I’m fine..." She gripped the Beast Husband’s hand, "Is it really okay for me to do this? Can we truly deceive Connor? Make him turn on the Kaven Family?"

If Connor found out he wasn’t born a half-beastman but was injected with something, if it were a lie, he... he might truly hate the Berkeley Family forever, wouldn’t he?

A hint of guilt flashed in her eyes. She didn’t want this either, but for the sake of the family, she had no other choice.

"He will," the Beast Husband said solemnly, "The Kaven Family did kidnap you, that much is a fact; if we say you were injected with an unknown agent, then you were! Who can prove otherwise?"

When the wife was in mid to late pregnancy, it was only the fetus who showed traits of a half-beastman. By then, it was too late to abort, so he had to be born.

Perhaps the wife’s fright during the kidnapping caused the fetal abnormalities?

They weren’t entirely wronging the Kaven Family.

Nine parts truth and one part lie, it’s just right.

Connor will believe it.

The Beast Husband’s eyes flashed; he didn’t see anything wrong with this.

Could the Kaven Family slander and frame without consequence, yet they couldn’t employ some tactics?

"By the way," the Beast Husband reminded, "this matter absolutely mustn’t be told to Mansa; this is also the family’s decision."

"You know Mansa’s nature, if she knew this was false, it would only make her uncomfortable."

Connor’s mother rose and seriously nodded, "I know, I understand!"

The Beast Husband sighed, "Mansa isn’t in a good mood now either; she already has some grievances with the family over that incident back then."

Forcing a marriage on Mansa in secrecy led her Beast Husband to consistently misunderstand her as forceful and domineering; while outwardly thoughtful, he actually harbors resentment, crippling Mansa’s prospects!

Now, with Mansa’s situation being exploited by the ill-intentioned, she appears fine, but being sensitive, her heart must be in turmoil...

After that day, Connor testified personally, revealing the truth of everything.

Knowing the Kaven Family was using him, Connor naturally held things back.

Once he handed over the evidence, the Berkeley Family’s suspicions were cleared.

It wasn’t done before because he hated the Berkeley Family.

Of course, even now, he still harbors hate.

But he hates the Kaven Family more.

And for Damon’s sake, he was willing to divulge his entire plan.

The illicit plants were brought in by the Kaven Family; he was only responsible for cultivation.

The contraband from that day was also brought by the Kaven Family; he never extracted anything from poppies nor sold plants to anyone.

After a lengthy trial, Connor, having confessed voluntarily and avoided greater wrongdoing, wasn’t sentenced to death but would spend life in the Undersea Prison, unable to leave again.

Though Damon was misled, he was ultimately sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Before being sent to their respective prisons, Damon and Connor met one last time.

Through this ordeal, Damon matured a lot; the playful, immature youth seemed to become steadier overnight.

"I’ve already arranged for my family to transfer you to Norman Undersea City’s prison. After I get out, I’ll still take over Norman Undersea City... and I’ll visit you."

With red eyes, Connor asked, "Do you hate me?"

Damon was silent for a moment, "I did hate."

How could I not?

Back when he was interrogated and captured, he wished he never had such a brother, wished he could tear him apart!

Later, his cousin gave him a letter from Connor.

He suddenly didn’t hate as much.

Now, knowing why Connor did what he did, Damon couldn’t bring himself to hate again.

"I’m sorry..." Connor’s voice was hoarse.

Damon took a deep breath, "Okay, I heard you."

They exchanged a glance, saying nothing, yet it seemed as if they spoke volumes.

"Goodbye, see you in three years." Damon chuckled, "Maybe less than three years, I’ll behave and aim for sentence reduction!"

They were going to different prisons.

With family’s negotiation and being deceived, Damon didn’t need to enter the serious-crime Undersea Prison but would stay in the Hollow City’s prison.

Damon turned and walked a few steps, then stopped, "Also, I’ve... forgiven you."

Hearing Damon’s words, Connor knelt on the ground.

He had wronged Damon...

[Ding! You helped Damon, clearing his name of false charges; surely you’ve learned much about right and wrong from this incident! You will become a law-abiding citizen! Reward: 100 Luck Value!]