Chapter 16

Chapter 16:

Seizing the tumultuous moment, Layne interjected sharply, “Miss Edwards, are you insinuating that Delilah’s design isn’t her original work but rather stolen from someone else?”

“Yes!” Janice declared, firm and unwavering.

“Janice, how could you accuse me so?” Delilah’s voice cracked under the strain, her eyes brimming with tears. “I poured my soul into this design, sacrificing countless nights to perfect it. Are you really going to tarnish my efforts with such a serious accusation? I know you’re jealous of me, but that doesn’t give you the right to falsely claim I stole your design.”

As Delilah spoke, her tears cascaded freely, stirring a wave of sympathy among the onlookers. Yet, amidst the emotional turmoil, a few remained detached, watching the scene with skeptical eyes.

They found it hard to believe that Janice, known to be a friend of JE, would make such grave accusations without substantial grounds.

“Janice, you’re accusing Delilah of stealing your design. Do you have anything to back that up?” Laurie exchanged a knowing look with Delilah, who nodded slightly—both clearly braced for the accusation.

They had meticulously erased every trace of Janice’s involvement from her design drafts, the home surveillance system, and her laptop. They left Janice without a shred of evidence to support her claims.

Suddenly, Janice erupted into a fit of sharp, mocking laughter. “How funny! Have I ever said that Delilah stole my design? Oh, what’s this? Are you perhaps confessing out of guilt?”

Delilah’s face fell as she processed Janice’s words. True, Janice had never said the design was hers. The realization struck her like a cold wave. Janice had cunningly set her up.

“Janice, out of nowhere, you accused me of stealing. I thought you were wrongfully accusing me of taking your design.” Delilah quickly defended herself, her hands clenched tightly. “At home, you’re always accusing me of taking your things. If not for our parents’ fair judgment, I would have been falsely maligned. Ah, so that’s what this is about! You’re trying to get back at me for taking your place for so long! But it wasn’t on purpose! I didn’t even want it myself!”

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Seeing the crowd’s compassion deepen, Delilah buried her face in her hands, her tears streaming in a heartbreaking display.

“Janice, apologize to your sister now!” Laurie commanded firmly, seizing the moment to admonish Janice. “If you still recognize me as your mother, then offer your apologies to Delilah. Otherwise, forget about returning to the Edwards family.” The bystanders were quick to judge, pointing their fingers at Janice, convinced that her behavior was retaliatory—payback for Delilah usurping her role in the Edwards family for more than ten years.

But really, who could be held accountable for the unfortunate mix-up of the two girls?

Ultimately, Delilah was a victim too.

“Come on, Janice, just say you’re sorry. Maintaining harmony in the family is what’s truly important.”

“You’re both caught up in this mess. There’s no point in harboring resentment, right?”

“Janice is downright cruel to bully her sister like that. It’s no surprise Laurie comes down hard on her. If it were up to me, I’d go even further.”

“Are all of you really that foolish?”

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