âBitch!â Mila stormed down the steps, raising her hand to slap Lily.
Instinctively, Lily ducked behind Shawn, who moved just as quickly to shield her. Milaâs hand never landed. Shawn caught it mid-air, gripping it tightly. She sneered, twisting her wrist in a vain attempt to break free.
âLet go of me, you worthless fool!â
Shawnâs gaze turned icy, his tone low and measured.
âHow dare you try to lay a finger on her?â
âAnd what if I do? Your familyâs in shambles, and you still have the audacity to stand here like you matter? Shawn, you are nothing. Without Adrianâs charity, both you and Joelle would be outcasts!â
Shawnâs smirk barely touched his eyes.
âYouâre not wrong. But Adrian likes my sister. He enjoys keeping our family afloat. Doesnât that just gnaw at you?â
Milaâs face tightened, but she feigned indifference.
âAs if I care!â
âOh, please!â Lily snickered. âYouâre practically burning with jealousy. Everyone knows youâve been competing with Joelle your whole life over food, clothes, looks, everything! And what have you gained? You donât have an ounce of her grace. All that bitterness has turned you into a sour old spinster. Itâs no wonder youâre still single!â
âHow dare you!â Milaâs face reddened as she barked at her bodyguards. âGet them both out of here!â
âMila, do you really have the nerve to lay a hand on me?â Lilyâs voice dripped with quiet confidence. Her familyâs old ties with Stephen had long placed her out of harmâs way, and everyone knew it.
But Mila, her pride wounded in front of so many guests, wasnât thinking straight.
âIâll do as I please! Why are you all standing there? Get rid of them!â
âStop!â Fredâs voice cut through the tension like a knife as he stepped forward with the calm authority of the Finch familyâs head.
With so many people watching, letting Mila force Shawn and Lily out would only fuel the gossip. The Finch familyâs reputation was already on shaky ground.
âMy sisterâs emotions have been unstable since we lost our grandfather. Please, forgive her outburst,â Fred said.
Shawnâs face softened.
âItâs nothing. I only came to pay my respects to your grandfather. But it seems my presence isnât needed. Iâll take my leave.â
âShawn, I apologize on my sisterâs behalf.â
Mila was about to blow a fuse.
âFred!â
âEnough!â Fred hissed. âYouâre embarrassing us all.â
Mila fell silent, biting back her anger as Fred invited Shawn to stay.
Lily, satisfied, rolled her eyes dramatically as she followed Shawn inside. The crowd of onlookers began to disperse, murmuring amongst themselves. Katherineâs mother pulled her aside.
âWhatâs going on between Shawn and Lily? Are they seeing each other?â
Katherine replied, âNo.â
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Message from Noah: Hi dear readers! Hope you liked the chapters. God bless you, and Noa is sending you all the best. (ÉOâ¿=)É â¥
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