Chapter 4: Let’s Destroy It Together!
As the maid’s words fell, Lydia’s face changed.
The Rossi family knew well that three years ago, Natalie had been kidnapped after drinking spiked wine, taken by thugs.
Hearing the wine was spiked again, Natalie turned pale, the glass shattering on the floor.
Eyes reddening, Natalie looked at Lydia approaching. “Mom… I’m so scared…”
Understanding Natalie’s thoughts, Lydia hurriedly patted her back. “Don’t be scared, it’s all in the
past.”
Then she looked at Ella. “Still the same, huh?”
With many people around, Lydia didn’t want a scene. She didn’t directly accuse but Ella knew what
she meant.
Ella didn’t expect Natalie to use the same trick twice. Was she trying to stab the same wound?
“It wasn’t me, I never went to the kitchen!” Ella protested helplessly, her throat tight.
“But I saw it with my own eyes. The second miss put something in it. I swear it,” the maid spoke up.
People began whispering, rumors spreading.
Lydia, worried about escalation, knew family matters were best kept private. Outsiders hearing would reflect badly.
Natalie seemed to realize Lydia’s thoughts. She smiled gently.
“Mom, I think this is just a misunderstanding,” Natalie put on a magnanimous air. “Ella’s been in
prison for three years. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again. I believe she’s innocent.”
Silence fell.
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Ella had been in prison for three years? Wasn’t she studying abroad?
Everyone knew prison was far from high society. But they also knew once linked to it, the stain never came off. Not only would politics be impossible, even relatives would be affected for generations.
Whispers buzzed.
Realizing what she said, Natalie quickly covered her mouth, looking guilty. “I drank too much and said something silly. Everyone, don’t take it seriously. How could my sister have been in prison?”
But the more flustered Natalie acted, the more people believed it.
“Ella, you just came back from abroad. Have you gotten over the jet lag? Today is our birthday. I specially prepared a gift for you. Would you like to see it?” Natalie tried to salvage the situation.
Perhaps the noise was too loud because Liam, playing cards upstairs, was alerted by the commotion.
Coming down, he saw Natalie looking fragile and pitiful, apologizing to Ella, eyes red, hands anxiously clasped as she watched Ella’s reaction.
Ella looked back at Natalie and suddenly laughed mockingly.
This had happened so many times, but Natalie always played the innocent victim.
Strange gazes kept coming at her.
But what had she done wrong?
What did she do to deserve false accusations? Why was Natalie framing her?
Was three years in prison not enough?
Saying she went to prison in front of everyone–wasn’t that just to watch her life fall apart?
Fine. Then let’s burn it all down together!
“Yes, I’ve been to prison,” Ella’s gaze swept the crowd, finally resting on Natalie.
Chapter 4: Let’s Destroy It Together!
Natalie tried to grab Ella’s hand. “Ella, stop talking nonsense. I already said it was a slip of the tongue. I didn’t mean it.”
Ella pulled away violently, not wanting Natalie’s touch.
She didn’t use much force but Natalie suddenly fell, right onto the broken glass.
Liam immediately rushed over, cutting through the crowd, and grabbed Natalie, lifting her up.
Eyes flashing with anger, he glared at Ella, bloodshot, “Ella! I warned you…”
Ella’s heart trembled. Despite knowing Liam didn’t care, seeing him protect another woman made
her cold.
“What did I do? I just pulled my hand back. I didn’t use any force!”
Ella stared at Liam and Natalie’s clasped hands, her heart numb with pain.
She unconsciously touched her chest, feeling the jade pendant hidden in her clothes.
It was a gift from someone.
In prison, during countless breakdowns, that jade pendant helped her get through.
Looking up again, her gaze turned cold.
She looked at everyone present, forcing a smile, “Yes, I’ve been to prison, but I was framed.”
The hall instantly became chaotic.
“Ella really went to prison, she didn’t go abroad! She was in prison for three years!”
“Who knew rule–abiding Ella was so vicious in private! Forcing the Rossis to send her to prison.”
“She’s definitely not a good woman, causing a mess at Natalie’s birthday right after getting out!”
“Does anyone know why she went to prison?”
“I heard it was for kidnapping… just a rumor though.”
Chapter 4: Let’s Destroy It Together!
The dense whispers seemed to drown Ella.
She swayed but managed to stand firm, touching the pendant on her chest as if gaining great
courage.
Lydia, not wanting things to escalate, tried to minimize the situation. “Ella, you must have drunk too much. Let me have someone help you upstairs to sober up.”
“But I was framed!” Ella shouted even louder.
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