Chapter 73
From the string of words, it was clear Ophelia was furious. Brenda took a bite from her skewer, speaking nonchalantly. “Disgraceful! Funny, yet I thought I looked pretty damn cool today.”
Ophelia was momentarily speechless, then barked a command. “Come home immediately, right now!”
Brenda rolled her eyes. “Oh, you think I’ll come running just because you say so? Now, that would be embarrassing.”
Ophelia’s voice rose, clearly irritated. “Brenda, you’re being insufferable!”
Brenda kept her casual tone. “Mrs. Hill, maybe you’re the empress when you’re with Soren or Reece, but with me, you’re just a regular person. So, if you could tone down that high-society act, I’d appreciate it. I’m not buying it.”
Ophelia hadn’t expected her daughter to become so rebellious, challenging her with increasing boldness. She sneered, “Brenda, this is what comes from associating with the wrong people. You’re losing all the grace a true noble young lady should have.”
Phoebe caught the implication. Clearly, Ophelia was mocking her. Sure enough, Ophelia’s next words were, “You’re losing your mind over someone who isn’t even presentable, to the point of striking Reece. It’s disgraceful.”
“Get yourself home right now, and stop fraternizing with that Phoebe.”
Brenda scoffed. “Mrs. Hill, are you confused? As far as I recall, you came from an average family before marrying Mr. Hill and suddenly married Mr. Hill, going from rags to riches. Phoebe, on the other hand, may have been lost for years, but she’s the real daughter of the Jenkins family, a proper high-society heiress. Her status is leagues above yours. Maybe you’re just jealous of her standing, and that’s why you keep tearing her down.”
This made Ophelia furious. Her voice grew louder, even shrill. “Brenda, you bitch. Why don’t you be like Phoebe and just leave the Hill Family altogether? You two are birds of a feather, no manners whatsoever.”
Hearing this, Phoebe glanced at Brenda and pointed to her own mouth, silently asking permission to speak. Brenda nodded and gave her the okay.
Phoebe chimed in with a mocking tone. “Ophelia, it’s so refined of you to badmouth people behind their backs. Really, quite impeccable manners. No wonder you’re the woman who went from rags to riches.”
Phoebe had met Ophelia a few times, and Ophelia had never hidden her distaste. Back when Phoebe hadn’t yet rejoined the Jenkins family and was with Reece, he’d introduced her to Ophelia. Phoebe had barely said hello when Ophelia cast her an icy glance as if she were beneath notice. Phoebe wasn’t one to bow to that kind of attitude, so she’d responded with her own cold indifference, without even greeting Ophelia properly.
Ophelia had later complained to Reece, calling her rude and urging him to break up with her, something Brenda had overheard and relayed to Phoebe.
After Phoebe returned to the Jenkins family, Ophelia still disliked her due to being friendly with Lydia. Ophelia openly favored Sienna instead.
There had even been a couple of occasions when Ophelia, unable to resist, had made cutting remarks toward Phoebe, probably assuming Phoebe would tolerate them. But Phoebe had retorted, embarrassing Ophelia on the spot, which only deepened Ophelia’s dislike. Not that Phoebe was fond of her, either. They clearly couldn’t stand each other.
Phoebe didn’t need to guess who’d given Reece the pendant, only to later gift it to Sienna. It was obviously Ophelia’s attempt to maneuver Sienna into the family as her future daughter-in-law.
On the other end of the line, Ophelia was shocked to hear Phoebe jump in, and it made her angrier than ever. If Brenda were standing in front of her, she’d probably have throttled her by now.
To let Phoebe listen in on their conversation, Brenda had actually put the call on speakerphone. Mortified by Phoebe’s scorn, Ophelia snapped. “Am I wrong? Just listen to yourself—such a perfect example of utter lack of refinement.”
“Perhaps I’ll have a little chat with your mother sometime soon.”
Phoebe gave a deliberate, sarcastic laugh. “Oh, you absolutely should. Have a nice long chat with your dear friend Mrs. Jenkins. After all, I was born with a mother, but I guess I grew up without a parental figure to guide me.”
Ophelia was stunned by Phoebe’s retort, momentarily speechless. “You…” Then she redirected her rage. “Brenda, I’m giving you one hour to get back here, or don’t bother coming home to the Hill family ever again.”
Ophelia knew that even when Phoebe had been with Reece, she’d never shown her any deference and had spoken to her with barely concealed contempt. Now, with things blown up between her and Reece, Phoebe had even less reason to respect her. And so, all her anger refocused itself on Brenda.