Chapter 101
Chapter 101:
“Do you find pleasure in this?” Janice asked, massaging her hand and looking at Delilah with a taunting expression. “If it’s not enough, I’m happy to continue. I can keep slapping until you’re satisfied.”
“You madwoman, how dare you strike me?” Delilah’s composure shattered, her anger simmering like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
“Delilah, what are you doing here?”
A voice cut in, prompting Delilah to hold back her rising anger. She turned, concealing her reddened face, and exclaimed with distress, “Mom, Janice hit me.”
Laurie was briefly taken aback, peering past Delilah, then asked in astonishment, “Janice, what brings you here?”
“How is this any of your concern?” Janice retorted sharply, her cold stare making Laurie feel distinctly unwelcome.
“Mom, my face really hurts.” Noticing Laurie’s lack of immediate defense, Delilah began to cry. “Why doesn’t Janice like me? I’m just trying to help her.”
Laurie observed Delilah’s face, noticeably swollen on one side from the slap.
Delilah, now tearful and looking quite miserable, tugged at Laurie’s heartstrings. Laurie had intended to make amends with Janice at the gala, but now…
“Delilah, what exactly happened?” she asked.
“Janice is wearing a fake Blue Heart necklace to keep up appearances.” Delilah gestured toward Janice’s necklace while crying. “Mom, the Blue Heart is valued at over twenty million. How could hers be real? Now Janice not only has a counterfeit but is also flaunting it. You know how much Mrs. Ramirez detests dishonesty. She’ll be outraged if she finds out.”
Laurie was stunned, staring at Janice in disbelief. “Janice, you…”
She was about to reprimand Janice, but the words failed her. After all, her visit was meant to apologize to Janice. Yet, with this new development, she was unsure how to proceed.
Delilah’s frown was subtle, almost invisible. What was Laurie doing? She usually started scolding right away; why the hesitation now?
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“Mom, you should talk to Janice. If she keeps this up, she’ll not only damage her own reputation but also bring trouble to the Edwards family,” Delilah urged.
Hearing this, Laurie sighed, trying to soften her voice as much as possible. “Janice, maybe you should take off the Blue Heart. Delilah has a point. Wearing that fake could indeed provoke Mrs. Ramirez.”
“Mrs. Edwards, it feels odd hearing you call me that.” Janice crossed her arms and sneered. “Didn’t you used to call me a worthless wretch all the time?”
“Janice—”
“Be quiet!” Janice cut her off sharply. “We’re not close.”
The words “we’re not close” stung Laurie more than she expected, yet she managed to force a smile and apologize to Janice for the mistakes she had made in the past.
“Janice, I know you hate me. I’ve come to realize my mistakes. I’m here to apologize and seek your forgiveness, okay?” Laurie then bowed her head, her regret genuine.
To Janice, however, this gesture was almost amusing. A belated apology felt like locking the barn door after the horse had already escaped.
Moreover, she had moved beyond her need for family approval and was indifferent to whether Laurie truly felt remorse.
“I understand you might not forgive me easily. That’s fine, I’ll continue to try making things right. But for now, please remove that counterfeit Blue Heart. If Mrs. Ramirez notices it, the consequence will be harsh.”
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