"Honey, save Brittany! She's locked up, the Levines faked that medical report! A slap? A ruptured eardrum? They're lying! You're her only hope!" Christina's voice cracked, tears streaming down her face.

Gregory scoffed. "Me? What am I supposed to do?"

"Talk to the Levines! You're partners! Ask for a favor! We'll pay more! Brittany needs you!"

Christina's plea was desperate, but Gregory's face hardened. "Money? We're barely afloat! We're about to lose everything!"

"Then beg! You've been partners for years—"

"Shut up!" Gregory roared, cutting her off. "Levine already called. He's dropping us. Thanks to Brittany and her 'childish fight' we've lost our biggest client!"

"No! It was just a fight!" Christina cried.

Gregory laughed, a bitter, harsh sound. "A ruptured eardrum is a 'fight' now? Should I rupture yours and see how you like it?"

Christina collapsed, her eyes vacant. Gregory, enraged, kicked her aside. "The Vanderbilts' jewels are gone too—thanks to you and Paisley! We're going bankrupt!"

The blame, sharp and relentless, pierced Christina. Brittany’s arrest, the lost jewels, even Gregory’s harsh words—all Paisley’s fault. A fierce hatred ignited within her.

Ignoring the throbbing pain in her head, Christina leaped to her feet, eyes blazing. "Paisley! Everything's her fault! If not for her, Brittany wouldn't be in jail! I should have killed her! I should have!"

She hurled objects across the room, a whirlwind of fury. Gregory, stunned by her outburst, finally snapped. He slapped her. "Enough! She assaulted someone, she'll face the consequences!"

"No, we can't leave her!" Christina clung to him, sobbing.

"She's adopted, Christina! Paisley's our real daughter. Cool off, then we'll apologize to Paisley."

Christina’s bitterness curdled into something colder, harder. Clutching Gregory’s leg, she began, "Honey, I have to tell you the truth. Brittany isn't adopted. She's—"

The shrill ring of Gregory's phone cut her off. An unknown number. He answered, eager to avoid the truth about Brittany.

"Hello, is this Gregory?" A polite, yet condescending voice filled the line.