Chapter 393
Though Amanda was seething with anger, she forced herself to swallow her frustration, looked up at Keira, and tried to keep her voice level. “Mom, you’re mistaken. That photo from behind isn’t Freya—it’s Ann. Mr. Quinten can vouch for her p>
Keira felt a headache brewing. She pressed her fingers to her temple and turned to the housekeeper nearby. “Go and fetch Miss Ann for me p>
Miss Ann.
There it was again-Miss Ann.
Amanda couldn’t stand the way her mother said it. It grated on her nerves every time. So what if Ann was only the Gonzales family’s granddaughter? Did her mother really have to make a point of calling her “Miss Ann,” as if she was some distant outsider?
Wilma nodded at once. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll bring her right away p>
It wasn’t long before Wilma returned with Ann.
Ann met Amanda’s gaze briefly before turning to Keira. “Grandma, you called for me p>
Keira’s brow was furrowed. “I want to know what’s really going on with that photo. Tell me the truth p>
Ann spoke up, her voice steady. “Grandma, here’s what happened. Last summer, I went on a trip to Silverhaven with Mabel. Someone snapped a photo of us from behind, and it ended up online. I thought that was the end of it, but Mr. Quinten happened to see it. He spent a fortune promoting that Tik Tok post, hoping to find me p>
Ann recounted the story slowly and deliberately.
In her mind, she was the one who had saved Mr. Quinten-she was the real person in that photo. No one was going to take that from her.
Keira’s expression grew colder. “Ann, I want you to be honest. Was it really you in that photo p>
Tears welled up in Ann’s eyes in an instant. “Grandma, don’t you believe me p>
She felt humiliated, as if her dignity was being trampled. This old woman was always so blatantly biased! Why were there such unfair relatives in the world? Why couldn’t this cruel old hag just drop dead?
Keira pressed on. “I might be old, but I know what I see. The girl in that photo isn’t you—it’s Freya. And I know Freya’s character. She would never make something like this up p>
Oh, what a saint Caitlin was-so incapable of lying! Ann’s heart turned to ice. “Grandma, are you
saying the liar here?weet
God,
I’m
the one in that photo! You?
can’t just take Freya’s side because she’s your real granddaughter p>
For the first time, Ann said it out loud: accused her grandmother of favoritism. She’d had enough-more than enough.
Amanda’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke up for her daughter. “That’s right, Mom. Even if you adore Freya and can’t stand Ann, you can’t be this blatantly unfair p>
Keira was truly furious now. Before, she’d just thought Ann was a little spoiled. But this-this was something else. Ann was even willing to snatch her own cousin’s claim.
Keira’s voice was stern. “What do you mean, I’m biased? Amanda, look at the photo again. Is that really
avoid making fools of yourselet?
Ann? I’m telling you, if you want t
you’d better cancel the birthday party and clear this
online.
Otherwise, this will only bring Ann
endless trouble p>
Right now, calling off the party was the only way to contain the damage.
“Mom, you just don’t want us to go through with the party because you’re afraid Mr. Quinten will expose Freya in front of everyone. You’re so obviously playing favorites!” Amanda shot back, her voice trembling with Indignation. “I’m not canceling that birthday party. If Freya’s’ so worried about embarrassment, you can just tell her not to come p>
“She and Ann are sisters by blood, after all. Even if Freya made a mistake this time, Ann is not the kind of person to hold a grudge. She’ll clear things up online and make sure no one bullies Freya p>