"That's right!" Mervyn quickly seized the opportunity the moment he noticed the uncertainty creeping onto Starla's face. "Everything Alfie said is true!"
Hope surged through him for the first time since she had entered Buffer Hall.
"If you still don't believe us, you can ask Mr. Vincent yourself."
His voice trembled slightly.
"Please... I never meant to offend you, Miss. I know what I said was inappropriate, and I'm truly sorry for that." He lowered his gaze. "But I wasn't in my right mind. Ryley threatened me, and he dragged Mr. Vincent into this whole mess."
Mervyn swallowed.
"How could I stay quiet after hearing that?"
Starla's expression remained unreadable.
Yet Mervyn noticed something important.
She wasn't interrupting him anymore.
And so he pressed on.
"Mr. Vincent has helped me more times than I can count. Morgan practically grew up in his care." His voice softened. "I couldn't just stand there and listen to someone accuse him of something so awful."
