Chapter 4 4

Florence was so furious she almost choked. Her eyes were practically shooting flames, her usually elegant face twisted with rage.

She pointed a trembling finger at Evelyn.

Just as she was about to start screaming, Brenda suddenly grabbed her raised arm, red-eyed and playing the part of the fragile victim. “Evelyn, if you're going to blame someone, blame me. You can yell at me, hit me, I don't care. But you can't treat Mom and Dad like this..."

"I grew up without parents. I finally have a mother and father now. Please don't... upset Mom because of me. I'd feel terrible."

She sniffled, looking as if she were about to burst into tears.

Her pitiful act worked like a charm, making Florence's heart ache for her.

Look at that, she thought, the superior genes of the Wynn family. Even after being lost for so many years, her character was still so good.

She was worlds apart from that ungrateful snake, Evelyn!

Her glare at Evelyn became even more filled with loathing.

Suddenly, Evelyn laughed.

Before either of them could react...

Evelyn took two steps forward, and quick as a flash, a hand swung out and slapped Brenda hard across the face.

The sharp, crisp crack echoed through the room.

Brenda clutched her red, swollen cheek, staring at Evelyn with a look of utter disbelief.

Evelyn... had hit her?

Evelyn, who had been as meek as a dog in the Wynn household, had dared to hit her?

Had she gone insane?!

"Evelyn!" Florence shrieked, beside herself with rage. How dare this little bitch hit her precious daughter right in front of her, while she was holding her?

That slap was as good as hitting her own face!

Furious, she raised her hand and swung at Evelyn's face.

But Evelyn simply lifted a hand and caught Florence's wrist in a firm grip.

Then, with a sharp twist...

She flung Florence backward. Florence flew like a rag doll, crashing heavily into Brenda.

Both stumbled back several steps before collapsing to the floor in a heap.

Evelyn looked down, her gaze condescending, at the two of them moaning in pain on the ground.

Her red lips curled upward into a dazzling, wicked smile that brought her stunning face to life.

"You said to hit you." Evelyn smirked. "Since you want to play the part of the pure, innocent victim, I'm happy to help you with your role."

When Brenda had first returned...

Evelyn had wanted to get along with her.

She had bent over backward for Brenda, trying everything to build a good relationship with her.

But Brenda had always hidden behind the face of an innocent victim, using that persona to frame her, setting her up to be scorned and berated by the people who grew to dislike her more and more.

She had endured it all silently, only because she cared about the Wynns and didn't want to make things difficult for them.

When she cared about the Wynn family, they were her treasure.

But now, what were they to her?

And Brenda? What was she?

"Since you said yourself that I could hit you or curse you however I wanted, then you should just take it." Evelyn's smile was mocking. "Or were you just saying that for Mrs. Wynn's benefit?

Brenda's slightly twisted face froze. She looked ridiculous with her swollen cheek, even more aggrieved.

"Of course not! I just don't want you to..."

Before she could finish, Evelyn cut her off. "If that's not the case, then take it."

"Stop putting on an act for me. This bunch of fools might fall for it, but I won't."

"From now on, when you see me, you walk the other way. Don't make me slap you again. Got it?"