Chapter 40
Watching Lydia walk away, a dark smile spread across Rosie’s face.
She couldn’t wait for the day Lydia would be wrapped around her little finger.
This was just the beginning.
Back at the Lambert estate.
Zina stretched, leaning back in her chair for a quick break.
She had to admit, restoring the old surveillance footage was challenging, but not impossible.
It would just take time to recover the whole thing.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Zina opened it, confused, expecting to see Yvonne. She was surprised to find Lydia standing there instead.
“What are you doing here?”
“To apologize to my dear sister, of course,” Lydia said, a sugary smile on her face as she held out a glass of milk.
Ignoring Zina’s hesitation, Lydia breezed into the room as if she owned the place.
Her eyes scanned the room, and she turned back to Zina, her gaze intense.
“You know, sis, I wanted this room for years, but Mom and Dad would never let me have it. I never understood why, but when you showed up, it all made sense. It’s because I’m not their real daughter, am I?*
Something in her words stung Zina. She pressed her lips together and spoke earnestly. “I’ll try to get along with you. I don’t have a deep connection to this family yet; for now, it’s just a place to stay. I never wanted to take Mom and Dad from you. You don’t have to worry. I’m not a threat.”
Lydia’s voice suddenly rose, a triumphant gleam in her eyes she couldn’t hide. “Is that really how you feel, sis? That this is just a place to stay? That you feel nothing for your family?”
Zina’s head snapped toward the doorway. Standing there were Yvonne and Adrian, who must have arrived at some point. during their conversation.
Yvonne looked heartbroken, and Adrian’s eyes blazed with anger.
“See, Mom? I told you she was an ungrateful brat, but you didn’t believe me,” Adrian sneered. “We treat her so well, and for what? She doesn’t even consider us family.”
Yvonne’s lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. She let Adrian pull her away.
Before they disappeared down the hall, Adrian shot Zina a final, hateful glare. “Enjoy your stay. We wouldn’t want to bother you… dear sister”
The biting words echoed in the room. Zina rubbed her temples and looked back at Lydia.
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Chapter 40
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“Was this the surprise you had planned?”
The innocent act melted from Lydia’s face, replaced by a smug, triumphant smirk.
“Zina. I told you I’d run you out of this house. If you leave now, I might even be merciful. Of course, you could always stay on as my personal maid. I’m sure I could spare a few scraps for you.”
“You’ll be waiting a long time.”
Zina’s cool dismissal finally broke Lydia’s composure. Her face twisted in a flash of
rage.
“Zina! Who the hell do you think you are? You waltz in here and take everything that’s mine, and you have the nerve to act so high and mighty! I’m the one who belongs here. You’re the outsider!”
She let out a strangled, furious cry, her eyes red–rimmed as tears of rage spilled down her cheeks.
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