The Unveiling of Secret Queen

Chapter 1136: Chapter 1136: Caryn Zachmann: I Won’t Apologize!

”Grandpa, it’s not that I refuse to apologize, I just don’t understand why I should apologize.” Caryn Zachmann looked utterly disheveled, as if someone had stripped her bare in public and nailed her to a shame pole.

Mr. Zachmann regarded her steadily. ”You really don’t know why you should apologize?”

Caryn Pinched her fingertips. ”...”

Leonardy Zachmann had absolutely no clue what was going on, but hearing his father say that, he instinctively fixed his gaze on Caryn.

His eyes were filled with shock, confusion, and inexplicable shame.

He didn’t know what Caryn had done, but he wasn’t foolish. In situations like this, it would be stranger if Caryn hadn’t done anything!

He was well aware that his wife and daughter had never been welcoming to his recently reunited niece.

Leonardy rubbed his temples, feeling quite troubled, and said to Mr. Zachmann, ”Dad, don’t worry about Caryn’s business. I’ll make sure to educate her properly and have her apologize to Nathalie.”

”I won’t apologize!” This time, Caryn’s reaction was fierce. She immediately raised her voice in defiance.

Everyone’s gaze locked on her once again. Caryn’s blood seemed to reverse its flow as she clenched her palms, her brows carrying a trace of arrogance. Refusing to look at her father’s stunned reaction, she bit her lip and continued, ”I don’t have anything to apologize for.”

”Is she Lighten Chaser?”

Caryn shot a cold glare at Nathalie Quinlan, who had remained silent throughout, her disdain evident as she mocked, ”If she’s Lighten Chaser, I’ll apologize. But is she?”

Shawn Norton frowned deeply.

Nathalie adjusted her cap slightly, letting out a low hum. Her dark, profound gaze remained inscrutable, making it impossible for anyone to discern what was on her mind.

Before she could respond, a figure stepped in front of her, shielding her entirely. Stanley Zachmann answered Caryn’s words decisively, ”So Nathalie isn’t Lighten Chaser—does that mean she’s not your sister, not my daughter? Your grandfather called you asking you to clarify things on Twitter. Why didn’t you pick up the phone? And I asked you to come back—why didn’t you reply to the messages?”

It had to be said, Stanley’s blunt questioning was sharp and relentless.

Caryn grew flustered and uneasy. ”Grandpa called me at a time when school matters kept me busy, and later my phone ran out of battery...”

”Audrick posted on Twitter, so how come your phone suddenly had battery again?” Stanley wasn’t buying it; his tone remained cold as he pursued her further.

Rendered speechless by his questioning, Caryn clung to what she had said earlier, pinching her hands as she retorted, ”She’s the one who had Audrick post a tweet accusing me of stealing her identity. So, is she Lighten Chaser? If she isn’t, then encouraging my second brother to post defamatory content on Twitter and framing me for theft—what’s the difference? Isn’t she the one who should apologize?”

”Caryn, watch how you speak to your uncle,” Leonardy Zachmann chastised her, his face darkening with anger.

Caryn looked deeply unwilling but didn’t dare go against her father. She held herself back, shutting her mouth begrudgingly.

Leonardy rubbed his brow, feeling increasingly troubled, then raised his eyes to speak to Stanley: ”Brother, what you mentioned just now—I’ll make sure to investigate everything thoroughly. Once I’ve figured things out, if it turns out Caryn is in the wrong, I will absolutely have her apologize to both you and Nathalie.”

”As for the family inheritance issues... Dad is still here. Saying things like this only hurts him. Can’t we resolve this privately? Don’t you trust me?”

Stanley didn’t respond.

Truthfully, Stanley and Leonardy had no real friction between them. The two brothers had always shared a strong bond, and over the years, Stanley had focused on his research while Leonardy had provided much of the care for Mr. Zachmann.

Stanley was deeply grateful for this.

Personally, Stanley didn’t have any need for wealth or money. It was just that this time, seeing Nathalie being bullied was something he couldn’t swallow, which led to the whole inheritance dispute.

Now, with Leonardy bringing up Mr. Zachmann, Stanley fell silent.