Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 98

"I, I..." Under everyone's scrutiny, Grace felt immense pressure.

She stammered: "I was jealous that you were taking Asher's attention away from me. I just wanted him to notice me... I'm truly sorry for what I did..."

Gabriella pressed: "Is that really all there is to it?"

"Yes."

Lady Catherine sighed deeply. "How could you be so thoughtless? Are you still a toddler throwing tantrums?"

Grace kept her head lowered, her voice breaking with tears. "Mother, I was wrong. I promise it won't happen again."

Lord Blackwood spoke sternly: "Recognising your mistake is a start. Ensure this behaviour never repeats itself. You've already brought quite enough embarrassment to the Blackwood name."

Gabriella fixed Grace with a penetrating stare, knowing full well she wasn't being truthful.

However, expecting Grace to admit her inappropriate feelings for Asher in front of his parents was clearly unrealistic.

Gabriella didn't pursue the matter further, responding with feigned nonchalance: "Right, so that's what it was."

Lord Blackwood turned to Randolph. "We must apologise for our family's failure in properly raising Grace. I hope you can find it in yourself to move past this incident. As for those videos online..."

Randolph pretended ignorance. "What videos?"

Lord Blackwood explained: "Someone recorded last night's incident and posted it online."

"Oh," Randolph took a sip of tea. "Let me have a look, shall I?"

He took out his phone, "Where would I find them?"

Gabriella walked over and opened the social media app, locating the videos.

After watching them and scanning the outlandish headlines, Randolph nearly laughed aloud.

The comment section was universally condemning Grace.

Randolph smiled. "This seems entirely appropriate. When one makes a mistake, one should face the consequences. The public criticism is well-deserved."

Lord Blackwood objected: "That may be true, but this reflects poorly on both our families."

Randolph disagreed: "I don't find it embarrassing at all. My daughter did nothing wrong. Besides, no one online would dare connect Grace to your family. The footage of Lady Blackwood has been edited out, and Asher isn't visible either. How exactly is this tarnishing the Blackwood reputation?"

Lord Blackwood insisted: "But everyone who attended the banquet knows that's Grace in the video and her connection to our family."

Randolph responded evenly: "Precisely. The damage was already done yesterday. Those who know already know, and those who don't won't learn of it. What good would removing the videos and trending topics do now?"

Lord Blackwood fell silent.

Randolph had a point.

The conversation continued for two hours.

Grace remained kneeling for the entire duration.

By the end, Gabriella's anger had largely subsided.

As they were leaving, Grace walked with a pronounced limp, her knees clearly injured from the prolonged kneeling.

She walked ahead of Asher, once again employing her usual tactics to elicit his sympathy.

However, Asher remained completely indifferent, paying her no attention whatsoever.

...

At the hospital.

The bone marrow donor's indicators were all normal, and the hospital had scheduled the transplant surgery for two days later.

Learning that his sister's condition could be treated, Mark's face lit up with a smile that had been absent for months.

"This is absolutely incredible. I can't thank you enough, Miss Rodriguez. You've saved my sister's life. I'm forever in your debt—anything you might ever need, just say the word." Mark was so moved he wiped away tears.

Gabriella smiled warmly. The knowledge that the bone marrow match was successful and the surgery could proceed had finally lifted the tremendous weight from her heart.