Chapter 4
Marianne 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 Serena p>
Just as she was about to start screaming, Hailey suddenly grabbed her raised arm, red-eyed and playing the part of the fragile victim. “Serena, 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 p>
“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 p>
She sniffled, looking as if she were about to burst into tears.
Her pitiful act worked like a charm, making Marianne’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, Serena!
Her glare at Serena became even more filled with loathing.
Suddenly, Serena laughed.
Before either of them could react p>
Serena took two steps forward, and quick as a flash, a hand swung out and slapped Hailey hard across the face.
The sharp, crisp crack echoed through the room.
Hailey clutched her red, swollen cheek, staring at Serena with a look of utter disbelief.
Serena… had hit her?
Serena, who had been as meek as a dog in the Wynn household, had dared to hit her?
Had she gone insane p>
“Serena!” Marianne 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 Serena’s face.
But Serena simply lifted a hand and caught Marianne’s wrist in a firm grip.
Then, with a sharp twist p>
She flung Marianne backward. Marianne flew like a rag doll, crashing heavily into Hailey.
Both stumbled back several steps before collapsing to the floor in a heap.
Serena 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.” Serena smirked. “Since you want to play the part of the pure, innocent victim, I’m happy to help you with your role p>
When Hailey had first returned p>
Serena had wanted to get along with her.
She had bent over backward for Hailey, trying everything to build a good relationship with her.
But Hailey 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 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 Hailey? What was she?
“Since you said yourself that I could hit you or curse you however I wanted, then you should just take it.” Serena’s smile was mocking. “Or were you just saying that for Mrs. Wynn’s benefit?
Hailey’s slightly twisted face froze. She
lookiched her swollen cheek,
even more aggrieved.
course not just don’t want you to
Before she could finish, Serena cut her off. “If that’s not the case, then take it p>
“Stop putting on an act for me. This bunch of fools might fall for it, but I won’t p>
“From now on, when you see me, you walk the other way. Don’t make me slap you again. Got it p>