Chapter 274
Chapter 274:
Delilah turned to Janice, suspicion crawling under her skin. Could Janice have hired these people to ruin her?
As if reading her mind, Janice met her gaze just then. The smirk on her face said it all, a smug assurance that confirmed Delilah’s worst suspicions.
For a heartbeat, Delilah imagined Janice mocking her. “You think you’re the only one who knows how to play the game? I can hire people too.”
“Enough!” Laurie’s voice rang out like a whip, cutting through the tension. Years of ruling the Edwards family had given her words the force of law, and in an instant, the room quieted. “Delilah would never stoop to plagiarism. The earlier incident was nothing more than a setup—someone deliberately trying to ruin her reputation.”
“Mrs. Edwards, you’re the face of the Edwards family. I’d suggest you choose your words carefully,” Janice retorted smoothly, flicking her hair back with practiced grace. “After all, wasn’t Delilah’s plagiarism already proven during the clothing design competition? Are you really going to drag your family’s name through the mud just to protect her?”
Laurie’s face twisted in a mix of sorrow and frustration as she stared at Janice. “What happened to you? You used to be so obedient, so well-behaved. And now—”
“Now I’ve learned better,” Janice shot back, her voice biting and cold. “I used to bend over backward for your approval, enduring all your insults and disrespect. But not anymore. What did I learn? That the Edwards family is full of arrogant, self-important fools. I can’t believe I wasted all that time trying to get your approval. If I could, I’d slap myself for ever caring.”
Janice’s words hit Laurie like a punch to the gut. She staggered, her heart racing in her chest.
For the first time, doubts began to gnaw at her. Why had they treated Janice like that? Why had it been so easy to cast her aside without a second thought?
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The questions gnawed at Laurie’s mind, like claws scraping at her insides, leaving her drenched in a cold sweat. But she quickly shook off the unsettling thoughts, unwilling to face truths she wasn’t ready to confront.
“Janice! You and JE are so tight. Don’t think I don’t know this was all your scheme!” Laurie hissed, venom dripping from her words. “You set Delilah up just to watch her…”
“Fall. You’re jealous of anyone who outshines you. We never should’ve taken you back. We should’ve let you fend for yourself out there.”
“Mrs. Edwards, don’t you think not bringing Janice back would’ve been the kinder choice for her?” Sierra interrupted, tilting her head with faux innocence in her voice. “With her talent, she could’ve made it anywhere. And don’t forget, she’s JE’s best friend. Ever heard of JE Consortium? Compared to them, your family is nothing but a mere speck of dust.”
Laurie’s face drained of color as Sierra’s words sliced through her composure like a razor-sharp blade.
The crowd went wild. “The Edwards family thinks they’re untouchable just because they’re one of Efrery’s top four? Please. Compared to JE Consortium, they’re a drop in the ocean.”
“Janice is JE’s best friend. Everyone knows JE is fiercely loyal to her friends. With JE around, Janice can have whatever she wants. The Edwards family just kicked Janice out like that. What a joke!”
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