The necklace snapped, and one by one, the pearls slipped from Blanche's palm and scattered across the polished floor.
Blanche's eyes widened in shock as she realized Jeannette was wearing a string of pearls around her neck.
"Blanche, you barge into my house and break my daughter's necklace for no reason—don't you have any manners?" Rhoda snapped, her voice sharp with accusation.
Blanche drew a shaky breath. "Sister, I know I was wrong. I never meant to push you down the stairs. But I just couldn't take your constant insults towards me and my mother anymore, or your false accusations about me trying to seduce your husband. That's why I—"
"I'm sorry, I really am!" Jeannette sobbed, falling to her knees at Blanche's feet, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'll do anything you want, just please, don't hurt my mother or Lara."
Lara jumped in front of them, her small fists clenched, glaring at Blanche. "Don't you dare hurt my mom! Get out of our house!" she yelled, brandishing a bubble gun and firing a storm of bubbles in Blanche's direction.
The bubbles floated through the air, blurring Blanche's vision. She stood frozen, her mind replaying every image of Jeannette and Eddy together—their secret glances, the stolen touches. Her voice was cold. "I watched you wear the Ocean Jewel with my own eyes, and you're still going to deny it?"
Jeannette's expression hardened. She met Blanche's gaze with open defiance. "Sister, I really didn't."
She tugged her collar aside, revealing bruises mottling her skin.
Blanche's composure finally cracked. She raised her hand and slapped Jeannette across the face.
Jeannette collapsed to the floor, crying out, "Even if my parents wronged your mother—even if I'm the illegitimate child—none of this was my fault! I'm innocent. How could you hit me?"
Rhoda and Lara lunged at Blanche, clawing at her in a desperate attempt to defend Jeannette.
"Enough!" A commanding voice cut through the chaos.
Eddy strode in, flanked by bodyguards. He shoved Rhoda and Lara aside, pulling Blanche protectively into his arms. Noticing the scratches on her arm, his eyes flashed with anger. He raised his hand and slapped Lara across the face. "You're just a child, yet you already know how to be this vicious?"
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