chapter520

Sandy curled her lips into a mocking smile. She was scared, sure, but she wasn't about to back down. "You knew what kind of people they were all along, didn't you?"

Only now did Sandy finally get the reason Lydia had given her that strange, knowing look the day she got thrown out of the Smith family.

"You really are their daughter. You handle things exactly the same way," Lydia said, her smile barely there, eyes cool.

Sandy lifted her chin in defiance. "I have no idea what you're talking about.

"If it wasn't for your adoptive father, aren't you the one who should have ended up in jail?" Lydia's tone was almost playful, but her words cut deep.

She hadn't forgotten how Sandy had hired people to smear her online, and she promised to settle the score once Sandy was out of the hospital. Sandy hadn't faced the music herself. Instead, she'd dragged her adoptive dad, Frank, into it, letting him take the fall. Lydia had known about it even while she was overseas. Sandy had used Frank's bank account to pay the hired trolls, so he got blamed and spent two months in detention. Sandy, meanwhile, stayed well out of it.

"Lydia, enough. You're not part of the Smith family anymore. This isn't your place, Sandy said, acting like she owned the whole house.

"No, you're the ones who shouldn't be here."

Out of nowhere, the door finally opened, and Mrs. Smith walked out. Yes, walked. Her steps were small and careful, but she was up and moving on her own.

Milana and Jenson just stared, mouths open.

"You... you're... walking..."

They'd been waiting for the old woman to pass, already thinking about the inheritance. The idea that she could stand on her own again? It was unreal. Was it because of that weird, expensive golden antler Lydia brought last time? It almost felt like magic.

"I told you last time, I've cut all ties with you. This isn't your home anymore. Get out," Mrs. Smith said, raising her hand to point at the door.

Jenson started sobbing right away. "Mom, I'm your son. We're family You can't just pretend that doesn't matter. We messed up before, but we just didn't know better. Please, can you stop fighting with us?"

Thinking about it now, Jenson felt nothing but regret and anger. Mrs. Smith had always been a tough

woman. They never shouldenet

tried to strong-arm her. But she'd insisted on giving everything to someone outside the bloodline. Who could accept that?

Mrs. Smith looked at him like he was a joke. "Stop kidding yourself. I meant what I said. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other. Leave. Now!"

"Mom, you can't say that. No matter what, Jenson is your real son, Luke is your grandson, and Sandy-ah!"

Milana's words cut off in a scream. Her calf felt like something had stabbed her sharp, hot pain that made her jump. She didn't even have time to recover before Lydia fired again.

"Ah!" Milana's voice went up another

octave. It was such a weird

feeling she knew something had

pierced her skin and the pain was intense, but just as quickly it faded She could still move just fine.

"Lydia! What did you do to me?" Milana stared at Lydia, terror in her eyes. Not knowing what was happening, not being able to predict what Lydia might do next, made it all the worse.

Lydia flicked her finger again and, with a soft sound, Milana felt a sting shoot right into her backside.

"Lydia!"

Jenson finally lost it. He tried to sneak away, but Lydia was ready for him. Another flick, another shot.

Jenson's knee buckled with pain. He couldn't hold himself up. He dropped down on his knees right in front of Mrs. Smith, completely defeated.