Chapter 272 Maia Is One of Us
Why did everything keep getting better for Caroline?
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Why did she keep gaining more and more, while my daughter–who should have had a bright and happy future–ended up like this?
Caroline stared at Alaina’s twisted expression, and the image of Alaina beating Maia in that alley suddenly surfaced in her mind.
Alaina must’ve had the same expression back then, too.
The more Caroline thought about it, the angrier she got. With all her strength, she slapped Alaina across the face hard. It wasn’t just for herself but to give Maia some justice.
Alaina stumbled back from the force.
The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the entire apartment.
The other three people in the room were stunned.
No one had expected Caroline to hit someone.
“Caroline! I’m your sister–in–law no matter what! How dare you disrespect me? If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you’ll probably try to kill our whole family next!” Alaina shouted while clutching her burning cheek.
She raised her hand to slap Caroline back, but before her hand could land, Caroline caught her wrist in midair. “If you’re going to teach someone a lesson, maybe start with yourself. A woman like you has no right to discipline me. I didn’t come here to argue. You blinded Maia, and I’m here today to ask for compensation.”
Edwin, who had been glaring at Caroline in silence this whole time, suddenly narrowed his eyes. “What did you say?”
Caroline glanced at him and answered, “Earlier today at the market, Maia was lured into an alley and beaten until she went blind. And as if that weren’t enough, the person responsible tried to drown her in a pond. If someone hadn’t passed by and saved her in time, she’d be dead by now.”
From the look on Caroline’s face, Edwin could tell she wasn’t lying.
He turned to Alaina, his expression growing heavy. “Was it really you?”
Alaina lifted her chin defiantly. “Of course not! How can you just believe whatever nonsense Caroline says?”
She had checked carefully when she left. There were no surveillance cameras and no witnesses nearby.
No matter what Caroline said, it was just empty words without proof.
“You’re not admitting it, huh?” Caroline’s tone hardened. “You still don’t realize how serious this is, do you? We were willing to settle this privately. But with that attitude, I’m calling the police. And once they’re involved, it’s not going to be a simple matter anymore.”
She didn’t have any hard evidence. Otherwise, she would’ve called the police already.
She hoped the threat would be enough to make Alaina confess. And it worked.
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Chapter 272 Maia Is One of Us
At the mention of police, Alaina’s expression changed and her eyes were filled with panic.
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“Caroline, do you really have to take it this far? No matter how much you hate me, I’m still your sister–in- law. That girl is just an outsider. Aren’t you afraid people will say you went out of your way to frame me and curse you for it?”
She wasn’t afraid of the police since they couldn’t do anything without proof.
But if the police showed up, the entire neighborhood would find out what happened.
The neighbors wouldn’t care whether there was proof or not–they would take it as the truth and believe she was vicious to the core.
Their scorn and insults would drown her like a tidal wave.
Caroline frowned and said, “Maia isn’t an outsider to me. No–she’s not an outsider to the Somertons.”
Alaina’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Wow, you are such a saint. Just because she used to be our maid, now you’re calling her one of the Somertons?”
“She wasn’t just a maid.” Caroline stared at her coldly. “Maia is one of us. She carries the blood of the Somertons.”
Helen’s eyes widened with shock.
How did Caroline know?
She quickly cut in, raising her voice in a panic. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! Mom, my head hurts–I don’t want to hear any more of her nonsense. Please, make her leave!”
Before anyone else could speak, Caroline said, “Your head hurts, huh? Don’t worry–once I finish, I’m sure you’ll feel better.”
Alaina still thought Caroline was completely delusional. It was ridiculous to say that Maia was one of the
Somertons.
She waved her hand in annoyance and said, “Enough. For the sake of all the years I raised you, stop causing trouble. Let Helen get some rest, okay?”
“I’m doing this for your sake–and Edwin’s too.” Caroline didn’t bother with more small talk. “I found out something by accident today. Maia is actually yours and Edwin’s biological daughter.”
Helen immediately sprang up from the couch. “That’s a lie! Absolute nonsense! My mom only has one daughter, and that’s me!”
Caroline replied calmly, “Yes, your mom only has one daughter. But your mom isn’t Alaina. It’s Ruth. bother denying it–I heard everything you and Ruth said downstairs earlier.”
Alaina and Edwin exchanged a glance. Then Alaina spoke first, “Caroline … Wh–what do you mean?”
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