Hailey had no idea who the person was and didn't bother looking at their face. One thing was certain: she wouldn't let anyone stop her from disciplining Vanessa for the hurt Vanessa had inflicted.
Today, Hailey didn't know where she found the strength. With all her might, she broke free from the man's grasp and smashed a glass cup against Vanessa's forehead. Vanessa cried out in pain as blood flowed.
Hailey felt a sense of satisfaction and finally took a break.
"What the hell has come over you? What did my daughter do to you?" Connie cried, searching for her daughter. She grabbed a handkerchief from the couch and rushed to Vanessa. The cut wasn't deep, so Connie applied the handkerchief to stop the bleeding.
Hailey finally looked at the man who had held her. It was her estranged father, Eric Summers, looking shocked.
Hailey glared at him. "Why are you standing there, Eric? Do something! Call a doctor. My daughter is dying. She's in so much pain."
"Oh, you call that dying? I might as well end her life myself," he retorted.
Hailey started looking for something to hit Vanessa with when Eric interrupted. "What is wrong with you? What has gotten into you?!"
"Are you seriously asking me that?" Hailey stared at her father in disgust. "Vanessa is your sister. If she offended me, there are better ways to resolve it than violence. Can't you see she's pregnant?"
The situation wasn't funny, but Hailey burst into laughter.
Eric stared in confusion. Connie glared at Hailey.
"You are such a hypocrite, Father! I wonder what Mother saw in you. She must regret abandoning her family to be with you."
"Hey, don't talk to my husband that way! We all know your mother was a pretentious gold digger!" Connie retorted.
Hailey folded her arms and turned to Connie, who was still kneeling beside Vanessa. "That statement was for you. You've perfectly described yourself! Leave my mother's name out of your mouth, and don't interfere when I'm talking to your husband."
"Wow, so because you have all the money in the world—which you got by sleeping around—you think you can control us all? You're nothing but a brat!" Connie yelled.
"You're all jealous of my success. I am everything you think I am, and more. And in case you've forgotten, I run Summer Incorporation. This house belongs to me. One more word, and you'll all be on the streets!"
Connie's eyes widened.
"You wouldn't do that to us!" Eric exclaimed.
"And what makes you think I make empty threats?" Hailey challenged.
Eric was speechless. He saw a different side of Hailey—the quiet, kind, respectful daughter he knew was gone. He, Connie, and Vanessa had pushed her to the breaking point.
"How dare you call Vanessa my sister? Where were you all when she humiliated and lied about me? You disowned me because of her, and you dare call her my sister? You're all hypocrites, especially you, Eric Summers! You should be ashamed!"
"People like you," she pointed at the three of them, "don't deserve to live another day."
"This isn't over!" Vanessa sobbed.
"Oh, what are you going to do?" Hailey turned to Vanessa. "Lie to the police like you framed Cole?"
"I dare you!" Vanessa challenged.
"I'm not letting this go! You'll pay for what you did to me today!"
"No one is suing anyone. We'll settle this," Eric said.
"Mind your business. This is between me and your gold-digging daughter," Hailey retorted, turning her attention back to Vanessa. "I wouldn't mess with me if I were you!"
"You carry yourself like a saint. You're nothing but a whore!" Vanessa screamed.
Hailey smiled. "I've always assumed silence was best for people like you. But it feels good seeing you like this. You made me realize violence is sometimes necessary."
"Make sure you have proof when you file a complaint because I'll be suing you. Your parents won't be able to afford it."
"Shut your mouth! You're an evil child! You keep taking everything that belongs to me!" Connie raged.
"You thought Cole was poor, so you framed me to take his place. You made me look bad, and I was disowned. You married Cole to save the company, then came back three years later to ruin my life. Eric keeps defending you, saying I hit you, not caring you're pregnant. Do you remember hitting me when I was pregnant? I was bleeding, and you told security not to take me to the hospital. You think I don't know you paid someone to kill me so you could have Cole?"
"Liar! I don't know what you're talking about!" Vanessa sobbed.
Hailey chuckled. "You may deceive your father, fans, and the police, but you and Connie know what I'm talking about. And I have proof."
"Proof?" Connie asked, breaking her silence.
"Shocked I have proof?" Hailey challenged. "You've pushed me too far, and I'm taking you down. Did you both tell Eric you've been stealing from the company? That's why it almost went bankrupt?"
"What?!" Eric exclaimed, shocked.
"She's lying, Daddy. She's trying to make Mom and me look bad," Vanessa sobbed, overwhelmed by pain.
Hailey faced her father. "Your wife and daughter are thieves. Connie has a secret account. Do you think she loves you? You've been living a delusion. They thought the company wouldn't survive bankruptcy and were ready to leave you in poverty while they moved to Mexico. I have proof of their tickets."
"I swear, I don't know what she's talking about," Connie said nervously.
"I'm not here to make you believe me. I hinted at this when I took over Summer Incorporation. I may hate you as a father, but I didn't involve the police out of respect for your mental health. But Vanessa crossed the line today. I'll never forgive her for what she did to my husband."
Vanessa shrugged Connie's hand away. The bleeding had stopped.
"Cole isn't your husband! He's mine! Yes, I drugged you to sleep with him, but I want him back. You're not taking him away from me. I'm sick of you acting like a saint. Go keep sleeping with people for money and leave Cole to me."
Hailey approached Vanessa. Vanessa flinched.
"Why? You think I'm going to kick your belly like you kicked mine years ago after I told you I was pregnant?"
Vanessa looked away, embarrassed.