Chapter 555

Frederick’s words cut the air like a bone-chilling gust, his dark murmurs sending shivers down Yuna’s spine.

She felt a shiver run through her, despite the warmth of the room, as Frederick’s piercing gaze bore into her. What on earth did Freddie mean by that? Had he discovered that she drugged Manley’s milk last night?

But if he knew, how could he be so eerily calm in her presence? It didn’t make sense!

Yuna’s heart fluttered in confusion, and she stood frozen in place, unable to move or think. Frederick, meanwhile, glanced at her sharply, his eyes burning with an unspoken message. He then picked up little Teresa to leave the bedroom. As he brushed past Yuna, he suddenly stopped, his voice low and fraught with warning, “If I catch you filling Manley’s head with lies and coaching him to deceive again, I’ll make sure you’ll never inherit a dime from the Fitzgerald estate!”

With those final words, he strode away decisively.

Yuna felt threatened, yes, but at the same time, she let out a sigh of relief. So that’s what he had been thinking? She had been scared for nothing!

As the room emptied, Manley scrambled into her arms, his face a picture of misery as he shook his head vehemently, “Mommy, I didn’t lie! I didn’t! Auntie Marguerite threatened me!”

Yuna snapped back to reality and crouched down to meet Manley’s eye. “Did she tell you last night that Daddy would kick you out of the house?”

Tears streamed down Manley’s cheeks as he sobbed uncontrollably, “Yes.”

“See, Mommy didn’t lie to you! Do you still think she’s nice to you?”

Manley paused, still tangled in his own confusion, but the memory of “Auntie Marguerite’s” vicious face from the night before sent shivers down his spine.

His head shook like a rattle, “I don’t… Mommy, I’ll always listen to you from now on, I’ll be good… Can you make Auntie Marguerite stop hitting me?”

Yuna stroked Manley’s hair, comforting him, “Don’t worry, Mommy will protect you. And from now on, don’t call her ‘Auntie.”

Manley sniffled, “If not ‘Auntie,’ what do I call her?”

Yuna’s eyes flickered maliciously as she spat out the words, “The bitch! We’ll call her the bitch!”

Manley was stunned. Although he’d joined his mother in scolding Hayes before, he’d never really sworn. The worst he could think of was “dummy” or “little meanie.”

But now, Mommy wanted him to call Auntie Marguerite “the bitch”!

Manley couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Yuna coaxed him, “Manley, she hit you last night. What are you waiting for? If you don’t want to be bullied, you need to stand up for yourself! Do you hear me?”

Manley nodded, half-understanding, “Y…yes.”

“So what will you call her?”

Manley’s timid voice was barely audible, “The… the bitch…”

“That’s right! The bitch! Marguerite is nothing but a bitch!”

Yuna cursed venomously, her eyes swirling with hatred and malice.