Chapter 293

Selena and Justin were surprised to see Shirley. Selena knew today was Shirley's court date, and she'd heard Shirley was facing at least seven years. Despite not visiting, Selena had worked behind the scenes to secure Shirley a private room and better living conditions in detention. Knowing the likely outcome and with Justin recently discharged from the hospital, Selena hadn't attended the hearing; she didn't want to witness Shirley's outbursts. A few years in prison might benefit Shirley, Selena thought; she needed to pay for her actions and learn a lesson. Selena planned to help reduce Shirley's sentence later, but she hadn't expected her return so soon.

"How did you get out?" Selena asked.

Shirley grinned. "Disappointed? I was acquitted."

Selena was stunned. Did Cynthia drop the charges? she wondered. But why wait until the trial?

Shirley continued, "Why are you so shocked? Were you hoping I'd be locked away? Let me tell you, I'm your daughter, and you'll never get rid of me." She then ran into the villa.

Justin's anger flared. "You ungrateful child! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" He'd just been discharged, and she hadn't even inquired about his health.

"If you have a heart attack, it's because of your favoritism," Shirley retorted. "I'm your real daughter, yet you treat Cynthia like she's the only one who matters. If something happens to you, it's your karma."

Selena scolded sharply, "Shirley! Watch your mouth!"

Shirley, emboldened by their perceived abandonment, showed no respect for Justin, the head of the family.

"This is who I am," Shirley said. "What are you going to do about it? I'm your flesh and blood. You want Cynthia, but fate had other plans. People like you deserve a daughter like me—I'm your reckoning."

"If you had a fraction of Cynthia's good qualities, we wouldn't treat you this way!" Justin barked, regretting not rejecting Shirley after the DNA test results.

"Cynthia this, Cynthia that…" Shirley sneered. "She's married to Jonathan and connected to the Xenos family. Just wait and see if she ever acknowledges you two!" She strutted into the villa.

Justin, his heart aching, shook with rage. Selena said, "Alright, don't get so worked up. Now that she's back, we'll just keep her in line." Despite everything, Selena felt some maternal affection for her biological daughter. Seeing Rachel's unwavering devotion to Shirley as her adoptive mother, Selena found herself unable to abandon her completely. Shirley's return simply meant one more person to support; Selena wouldn't give her any money to avoid further trouble.

Back in her room, Shirley's anger fueled her frustration at the lack of things to destroy. She hated Cynthia, blaming her for Justin and Selena's indifference. She wished Cynthia would disappear.

Then, Shirley's phone rang. The caller ID only intensified her irritation.

"Luke, will you just stop?" she snapped.

Luke, clearly irritated, demanded the two million dollars she owed him. He'd learned of her release and was eager to collect.

"When did I owe you money?" Shirley retorted.

Luke sneered, "Ms. Jones, have you forgotten? Or did you leave your brain in detention?"

Shirley's expression darkened. "How do you know I was in detention?"

"That's not important," Luke said. "I want the two million dollars today, or I'll tell your sister Cynthia everything."

The mention of Cynthia panicked Shirley. Luke was testing the waters, unsure if Cynthia knew Shirley's secret. He planned to use it for extortion if the sisters weren't in cahoots.

Shirley feared Cynthia's wrath. She had two problems: Cynthia and Luke. She then remembered Ruben's assurance of support, regardless of her actions.

Emboldened, a sinister smile played on Shirley's lips. "It's just two million," she chuckled. "Where are you, Luke? Let's meet up."

Shirley left her room, broke and without cab fare. She went to Selena's room, demanding $62,000.

Selena frowned. "Why do you need money as soon as you get back?"

"Don't you know what I've been through? It's just $62,000, not $600,000."

"You're living at home. What expenses could you possibly have? I'm not giving you a cent," Selena said, leaving the room.

Furious, Shirley saw Selena's jewelry box and pocketed a bracelet and two necklaces. Before leaving, she saw a wedding invitation from the Yates family.