Chapter 6
On the stage, Lillian suddenly swayed and collapsed, her body hitting the ground with a thud.
Around her, shards of shattered glass and a pool of golden–orange liquid spread across the floor.
Almost immediately, angry red welts began to creep up her pale arms.
Her eyes widened in terror as she stared at the orange juice on the ground, then shifted her gaze to the trembling maid beside her, her voice quivering and on the brink of tears.
“This… this is orange juice? I’m allergic to orange juice! It could kill me!”
The maid, pale with fear, pointed a shaky finger towards Eleanor.
“It was Miss Eleanor who requested the orange juice. She said to bring a glass to Miss Lillian as well. I didn’t know anything about it, I swear it’s not my fault!”
Hearing this, Lillian’s eyes filled with tears, disbelief etched across her face as she looked at Eleanor, her gaze accusing: “Eleanor, why would you do this to me?”
Selene, overhearing the maid’s explanation, erupted in fury, pointing an accusing finger at
Eleanor.
“You bitch, do you really want to kill my Lillian? If anything happens to her, don’t think you’ll get away with it!”
“Bitch?”
Eleanor was stunned, unable to believe her ears, even more so that this word came from her own mother’s lips.
Although she had no idea why the maid was blaming her, she instinctively defended herself:
“It wasn’t me. I didn’t tell the maid to bring the orange juice. I didn’t even know Lillian was allergic.”
She looked to Kane, hoping he would believe her.
But Kane’s eyes were filled with coldness and disappointment, as if he wished to tear her apart.
“Eleanor, how could you be so cruel? Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”
Each of Kane’s words cut into Eleanor like a knife, sending a chill through her core.
Her heart sank to the depths as she trembled, “Kane, don’t you believe me? I swear it wasn’t me.”
But Kane had no interest in listening further. He jerked his arm, pushing Eleanor aside.
She staggered, crashing into the table, a long gash opening on her arm, blood quickly staining her sleeve.
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Chapter 6
Kane didn’t spare her a glance, scooping Lillian into his arms and rushing out, his voice filled with urgency.
“Lillian, don’t worry, I’ll get you to the hospital right away.”
Selene followed closely, still spitting curses at Eleanor.
“You’re nothing but a jinx, always causing trouble for this family!”
Watching their retreating figures, Eleanor felt a sudden clarity.
She even believed that if she and Lillian could swap ailments, Selene and Kane would do it without hesitation, never daring to sacrifice Lillian to save her.
Feeling as though she had fallen into an icy abyss, Eleanor forced herself to stand, stumbling back to her room.
She dared not delay, fearing she’d die on the cold, hard floor.
Back in her room, Eleanor wrapped herself tightly in her blanket, trying to chase away the chill that gripped her heart. At some point, she fell unconscious again.
When she awoke, it was to the sound of her window being yanked open with a harsh screech.
The blinding light made her instinctively close her eyes. Above her, Selene’s voice rang out, more furious than ever.
“Eleanor, you’re worse than an animal! Even beasts have more compassion!”
“You made your sister suffer from an orange juice allergy, and she spent the night in the hospital, yet you can still sleep soundly?”
“And what did you say to the guests?”
“You accused us of favoritism, claiming we only care for Lillian, not you?”
“You even spread lies about your sister, saying she stole your fiancé! You not only want to ruin her reputation but push her to the brink!”
Selene’s anger grew, and she yanked the blanket off Eleanor, dragging her up roughly.
“Get up! Stop pretending to be dead!”
“Right now, you’re going to get on your knees and apologize to your sister! And you’ll tell everyone that your sister never took anything from you, it’s all in your petty mind, stirring up trouble!”
