"Now, you tell your part," the officer said, pointing to Aeris.
"Sir, I was peacefully spending time alone at home when they knocked at my door. Mr. Finn called me a beast and slapped me without any reason..."
"Sir, he—"
"Quiet! You'll get your turn to speak. You, continue," the officer admonishment stop Mr Finn from further intervention.
"As I said, he slapped me without any reason. I slapped him back instinctively. Although I don't justify my violent reaction, it was purely instinctive."
Aeris glaring angrily at the three men, continued, "Then all three brothers lunged at me at once. I couldn't just stand there and take the beating. I fought back in self-defense. Honestly, I was the victim all along — it was three against one. If I hadn't been strong enough to defend myself against their violent attack, they could have beaten me to death."
Though Aeris's face was bruised, his eyes swollen, his nose bleeding, and his lip cut, the three brothers were in even worse condition.
"What a strong young man," the officer thought inwardly. Outwardly, he remained stern as ever.
Now it was Mr. Finn's turn to give his statement,
Although he didn't want oursiders to know about his daughter's pregnancy, the situation had spiraled out of control, leaving him no choice but to speak the truth.
"Sir, this man got my daughter pregnant and refused to acknowledge it. I know it was wrong to resort to violence, but as a father, I could not stand by and do nothing..."He paused, looking at his miserable nephews, guilt overwhelmed him.
"As for My nephews case, they only acted on my orders. I take full responsibility for their actions."
Even though Aeris knew Mira wouldn't give up so easily, he was still stunned by how blatantly she had lied to her parents.
Isn't she a bit too overconfident? Had the thought the he might not cooperate with her never crossed her mind?
The original owner's submissive behavior must have left a lasting impression on her that she remained oblivious, even when he clearly rejected her.
Aeris felt a tug on his shirt and looked down to meet Mira's red and pleading eyes.
He didn't even notice how she reached his side.
He moved slightly away from her. He had seen all kinds of women in his life, so her attempt at evoking his pity was just child's play.
Noticing the contemptuous eyes of those around him, Aeris calmly interjected, "I don't know what your daughter told you, but I didn't impregnate her. She is not carrying my child."
"Mom let's settle this matter privately. Please, take me home." Mira begged her mother, her mentality had almost collapsed.
But no one spared her a glance.
"How can a woman not know the father of her own child? If you don't want the child, then say so like a man," Amelia sneered at him, her eyes full of contempt as if looking at a thrash.
Mira saw Aeris face turning cold and an ominous premonition welled up within her. She desperately shook her head at him, her eyes full of trepidation.
Everyone should answer for their own actions. Aeris had no intention of letting Mira sit back while all the filth landed on him.
"Hee… Your daughter went to a nightclub and slept with a stranger. She came to me begging me to marry her, but I rejected her. Check the security cameras if you doubt me. I won't take the blame I never committed."
"No, he's lying. I never went to a club. Don't listen to him, mom and dad!" A shrill voice pierced the police station.
Amelia quickly hugged her trembling daughter.
"How could you slander my daughter? Don't you know how important a woman's reputation is? Do you want to ruin her?"
Mr. Finn lunged at Aeris, but lucky for him, the police intervened. Otherwise, Aeris would have retaliated.
Aeris calmly took out his phone and played the recording from that day. He had recorded their conversation as a precaution. Now, the evidence spoke for itself.
Everyone looked at Aeris with sympathy.
Mira's parents flushed with shame and embarrassment, and the cousins stared at her in disbelief.
SLAP!
Finn tried to strike again but was stopped by the officer.
"Officer, it's merely a civil dispute. We will settle it privately."
"I can't decide that," the officer said firmly, looking at Aeris.
Finn understood. With his face flushing like a monkey's butt, he stammered to Aeris ,
"Aeris, I know we treated you unjustly today. Mira is our only daughter, and you've seen how much we've doted on her. I acted rashly when I heard you didn't want to marry her. I'll bring her to apologize tomorrow. Please, let's settle this quietly between us. I'll take care of all your hospital expenses as well."
Trying to emotionally blackmail him, Aeris scoffed at him.
He turned to the officer and said,
" Officer, I want to sue Mr. Finn's family of three and his three nephews for trespassing, assault, and ventilation of my property. I also want to sue Miss Mira for slander."
He was determined to send the whole family to prison.