Chapter 294

Rowena quickly stepped in front of Winifred, her face a little embarrassed. “Mom, this is my business. It has nothing to do with anyone else. You can’t just show up and suddenly start accusing her like this.”

Yvonne raised her voice even more. “Did I say something wrong? If she hadn’t led you astray, you wouldn’t be acting like this. Winifred, don’t think just because you’re from the Hart family that I won’t call you out. I’m warning you. Stay away from my daughter.”

With that, Yvonne started yanking Rowena by the arm. “You’re coming home with me right now. Move it.”

“I’m not going. I have class. Mom, can you please stop making a scene?” Rowena clenched her fists, glaring at Yvonne in anger.

Yvonne, beside herself with rage, raised her hand, about to slap Rowena.

Winifred tilted her head, looking down at Yvonne with a cold, almost mocking gaze. With one hand, she caught Yvonne’s wrist and flung it back, nearly making her lose her balance.

“Winifred, how dare you lay a hand on me? I’m teaching my daughter a lesson. What’s it got to do with you? If you know what’s good for you, get lost,” Yvonne snapped.

Winifred sneered, “She’s not your puppet. Yeah, I’m meddling, so what? Just try and stop me.”

Winifred’s sharp retort left Yvonne completely speechless. Her face darkened with anger.

“Winifred, I’m telling Sienna about this,” Yvonne snapped.

“No need to go running to Sienna. I’m right here. I’m 22, not 2. I don’t need you tattling to my family over every little thing. Legally, I’m an adult. If you don’t understand the law, go ask the authorities yourself,” Winifred shot back.

Winifred’s bold words were clearly meant to mock Yvonne.

Yvonne trembled with fury. In all her life, no one had ever dared to speak to her like that. “Turns out Winifred really is totally uncouth,” she thought.

Winifred’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “You’re probably thinking I’m just some uncouth girl, huh? Well, you’re right. I guess I really am uncouth. And I don’t follow the rules. I’ll butt in whenever I want, and if I feel like it, I’ll hit whoever I want.”

Yvonne’s vision blurred with rage as she took a few steps back, her trembling finger pointed at Winifred.

Winifred raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and I forgot to mention. I don’t care about age or status. If I accidentally slap you later, just pretend it was an accident.”

Yvonne was so furious her face was practically twisted out of shape. She snapped at Rowena with a warning, then stormed off in her high heels.

Rowena had never heard anyone speak so unapologetically before. Winifred really didn’t seem to care about anything or anyone.

For the first time ever, Rowena actually found herself admiring someone from the bottom of her heart.

“What’s up? Did you get mad because I snapped at your mom?” Winifred asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rowena quickly shook her head. “No, you were helping me. I know who’s really on my side.”

Winifred unwrapped a piece of candy and popped it into her mouth. “Good, as long as you get it. Here, have one too.” She fished another candy from her pocket and casually tossed it into Rowena’s arms.

Rowena watched Winifred’s back as she walked away, unwrapped the candy, and popped it into her mouth. It was sweet and sour—lemon flavored.

At the Ford residence, the atmosphere was tense. The only thing that eased Marcus’s expression a little was the fact that Levi was his own flesh and blood. But the divorce was a done deal; no one could change that now.

Levi and Bianca were both bowing. Bianca was already a wreck, crying her eyes out. She’d just had surgery, and now she was facing a divorce she simply couldn’t accept. Her face was completely drained of color.

“Dad, Mom’s been with you for so many years. Can’t you just forgive her this once?” Levi pleaded.