Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 271: Sometimes Justice isn’t loud...

"Truth? Was there ever truth in this family while I was left in the dark about my origin?" Desmond’s voice trembled as fury burned in his chest.

"Do you speak the truth? Yet you couldn’t accept that an adopted son is still a son?" His tone was a mixture of grief and accusation.

"I’m beginning to see the Allen family differently—a family more obsessed with bloodline than with loyalty or love."

Elder Allen’s face darkened like an approaching storm. He wouldn’t allow Desmond to tarnish the family name any further.

With emotions spiraling, Desmond felt the ground beneath his feet shift. If this continued, he feared he might collapse or completely lose control. But still, a deeper question pulled at his core and he needed answers.

Torn between storming out of the hospital ward or staying to hear the rest, his mind spiraled. He wanted to know the truth. Where did he come from? What was real?

Then the old man’s voice broke through his thoughts, calm and deliberate:

"You might care to take a look at the folder you took from the study." Elder Allen’s eyes held a knowing glint as he smirked.

Desmond’s breath caught.

Desmond froze, as though the ground beneath his feet had been ripped away.

The folder... He recalled it now. He had picked up a sealed envelope from the study some time ago but had never opened it. He hadn’t even looked through it.

But after this statement, he knew exactly what he would do once he got home. He would read it. Word for word.

Jessica shifted beside Davis. "Grandpa, what can be done now?" she asked softly.

The secret of the Allen family had nothing to do with her. Their roles and lineage weren’t hers to manage. Still, she found herself involved—because her husband stood at the center of it all.

Elder Allen drew a deep breath, then scanned the faces of those before him. Their eyes lingered on his lips, anxious for his next declaration.

Clearing his throat, he finally said:

"Now... the board must know the truth. It’s time the rightful heir of the Allen family takes his place."

He turned to Desmond, his voice steady.

"Desmond, you will no longer stand in line to inherit what was never yours by blood. But I will not leave you with nothing. You have served the company faithfully. You deserve a portion. But not the crown."

Desmond stood slowly, fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I see. Thank you for your honesty," he said, his voice coated in fury.

"But don’t think for a second that I’ll go quietly. If it’s war you want... then war you shall have."

asking for war," Davis said with a faint

and razor-sharp. His heart pounded, his thoughts

just yet. This battle isn’t over—and it can’t be. Because I, Desmond, am not some random person to be picked up and dropped at

the chair screeching against the tiled floor as it

his mouth to speak, but Desmond had

muttered bitterly, his voice colder now, sharper—more dangerous than before. "All the years I gave to this

Allen

his

said it yourself. We share no blood. I guess

then paused, his back

venom dripping from each word.

such force that it bounced off the

at the now-swinging door, her

quiet sorrow, and he slumped slightly into the

but when he spoke,

take

man murmured tiredly. "He won’t. And

a hand gently on his grandfather’s

he said, patting it lightly. "We’ll handle it—but

ward was laden with unspoken emotions. Its quietness spoke volumes. Everyone left with his own

felt like ages, Elder Allen

said slowly, his voice firm though wearied by age. "They

and Davis exchanged a glance. She looked to Davis first before shifting her gaze

understand why you feel that way. And you’re not wrong. Desmond has crossed

short nod.

wounds we can’t close," Davis replied. "The board is loyal, yes, but they’re also businessmen. They care about legacy, about brand strength

added, "And when the press gets hold of it, it becomes more than just a family issue.

man frowned. "But don’t we

stability of the Allen Group. The Groups had been riddled with scandals and problems and now, If the board finds out Desmond isn’t an Allen, some may see it as betrayal. Others may

stared at him for a while "Don’t you think being hesitant is even more dangerous than

don’t you think you might destroy all of your efforts in haste? Just like Desmond said, he has been the one managing the group. Though he may have done it poorly and might have been manipulated, the truth remains that he has worked for

people you trust. If we confront him publicly,

much as he wanted to seek justice for his parents, he still had to consider the greater good

old man sighed, pressing a hand to his

at Davis, then back at Elder Allen. "Sometimes justice isn’t loud, Grandpa.

excusing what he’s done. But we need to be smarter than him.

Allen leaned back into his pillows, his fingers clasped together on his