Renee's malicious voice echoed at an opportune moment.
"She knew everything long ago, and it's all written in her diary! Aunt Linda, Lina, the real liar here is her! She has
ulterior motives for getting close to the Thompsons!"
Lena yelled, "Stop it!"
Renee laughed heartily. "What's wrong? Feeling guilty now? Hahaha! Just like that phrase you once said, thief crying
thief—I'm returning these exact words to you!"
"Renee Thompson!
"You are the thief, and your mother is one too! She even seduced my uncle!"
"Shut your mouth!" Lena lost her composure. She rushed forward to hit Renee but was held back tightly by Lina.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Lina, do you know who her mother is?" Renee continued to add fuel to the fire. "Her mother is Krystal, the human
trafficker who almost sold us off!"
"Shut up!" Lena screamed, tears streaming down her face.
Anger, panic, shame, and various emotions mingled together in her heart, reaching their climax like a volcano on
the verge of eruption.
Lina and Linda were both stunned, but Lina snapped out of it first and rushed forward to support Linda.
"Mom..."
Linda trembled and struggled to catch her breath as if her heart had been through a tormenting ordeal. A sharp
pain made each breath a challenge.
Yet, she managed to glean a fragment of clarity from her chaotic thoughts. Lena, younger than Lina, was
apparently Nicholas' child. This implied that he might have been with another woman after their marriage.
Setting aside the impossibility of such an act by Nicholas, Krystal had connections to the criminal world, and
Nicholas had left that life behind before marrying Linda. How could he have possibly been romantically involved
with another woman, let alone fathered a child with her?
"No..." Linda's voice trembled. "No..."
"Mom, don't be like this," Lina said worriedly. "Let me help you back to your room first."
"No need." Linda's voice was very soft but determined. She glanced at Lina with a smile. "Pammy, I wasn't upset by
her words. On the contrary... I don't believe a word she's saying!"
When the Thompsons' staff rushed to the Hamertons', Nicholas and Zephyr were knee-deep in the water catching
fish.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Zuko and Chris watched from the shore and exchanged a wry smile.
"Fishing turned into catching fish. These old men know how to have fun!"
"Hush!" Zuko warned him hastily.
Chris chuckled. Just then, the butler arrived in a panic.
"Sir... something happened! You need to return home quickly!"
"What happened?" Chris stopped him. "Which sir is it? Be clear!"
"It's the Thompsons!" The butler panted. "Someone from the Thompsons came s-saying that Ms. Renee led
reporters to the front gate and said some outrageous things. She made Madam so angry she fainted on the spot!"
"What?!" Zuko and Chris shouted simultaneously, alerting the two old men in the water.
"What happened to Linda?" Nicholas rushed up, not even bothering to put on his shoes. "Hurry... Zuko, take me
back!"