“David and Margaret are going crazy trying to find Chloe. Look at how devastated Emily is. Do you really have the heart to do this to a child and to them?”

The relatives criticized me all at once. It was clear that they believed Emily’s lies.

I frowned and said calmly, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never even seen Chloe.”

David, who had been standing nearby, said, “What more are you going to say? Do you want me to bring out the evidence? I never thought you could be this vicious!”

David was so furious that it seemed like he might charge at me and slap me right then.

But I was not worried. I calmly took a settlement agreement out of my bag.

“I’ve been at the police station since yesterday. How could I have hurt Chloe? I have a solid alibi.”

I opened the settlement agreement in front of everyone. Emily’s face instantly darkened.

I ignored her feelings and said without hesitation, “My landlord and neighbors can confirm that I’ve been at the police station. It was even posted online just now.

“So, where’s the evidence you keep talking about? Why are you slandering me? What have I done wrong? Why are you trying to frame me?”

I fired off question after question. David, who had been so angry just moments ago, suddenly lost his steam.

The crowd surrounding Emily finally broke their silence and decided to speak up for me.

“Grace gave away her house and money. How could someone like her possibly harm Chloe?”

“I’ve been walking near the police station for the past few days, and I saw Grace there every time. She never went home. She didn’t have time to commit a crime.”

“Could it be that Emily wants a grandson and secretly sent Chloe away? Now, she’s here trying to find someone to blame.”

Everyone considered that possibility as they looked at Emily.

I had always had a good reputation and was easy to get along with. Emily’s years of mistreatment of me were well-known, and people were fed up with her.

Under the pressure of the crowd, Emily could not hold it in anymore. She threw herself on the floor and acted wild.

“Give Chloe back to me! If you don’t, I’ll stay right here and refuse to leave!”

Her gaze darted around. She was still trying to figure out how to manipulate the situation to her advantage.

“Chloe got lost because she was looking for you. Of course, it’s your responsibility!”

I scoffed and smirked. Then, I made a call to the police station.

“Officer, have you found a little girl named Chloe?”

The officer’s voice on the other end was serious. “We’ve found her. We’ll bring her over now. She says she wants to talk.”

The phone call went smoothly. Emily sat awkwardly on the floor. The relatives who had supported her earlier were speechless.

I looked around at everyone with a mocking smile.

“Instead of reporting a lost child and looking for Chloe, you’re here questioning me? What’s more important to you? Finding Chloe or harassing me?”

I crossed my arms and stood in front of everyone. I was ready to expose Emily and David as the hypocrites they were in front of our relatives and neighbors.

Less than half an hour later, a police officer brought Chloe to me.

“This child has been crying at the police station. Someone from your family should comfort her,” said the police officer.

When Emily saw Chloe, a look of panic flashed across her face.

I thanked the police with a smile. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Chloe, who had gotten thinner.

I knew that only Margaret comforted and protected her usually. David and Emily often hit and yelled at her, so I could not help but feel sorry for her.

I pulled Chloe into my arms and gently caressed her back. I glared at Emily and David.

I lifted Chloe’s sleeves while everyone was watching.

“How much longer are you going to abuse this child? There’s a limit to how much favoritism you can show toward sons over daughters!”

Chloe’s injuries were red and swollen. It was clear that someone had hit her hard.

The crowd gasped in shock. David’s face instantly turned as red as a tomato from embarrassment.

I felt Chloe pulling my hand. When I looked down, I saw her trembling uncontrollably.

I reached out and patted her head. Before I could say anything comforting, she burst into tears.

“Aunt Grace, please don’t hit me anymore! I won’t bother you again. Please, don’t kill me!”

My mind went blank. It felt like someone had struck me over the head as I looked at my beloved niece. At that moment, my heart felt as if it were being ripped apart.

The more she cried, the harder she sobbed. Then, she suddenly bit my arm and crawled straight into Emily’s arms.

“Grandma, save me! Aunt Grace is going to kill me! I thought I’d never see you again!”