Zoey blinked, her face heavy with defeat. “It’s fine. If Katelyn’s upset with me, I’ll do whatever she wants.”
Immediately, she reached for the zipper of her dress. With her pale face and swollen eyes, she looked like she was on the verge of breaking.
Lise furrowed her brows as she saw right through it. It was a performance, and she knew the signs. Wasn’t this the kind of move Lise always pulled? But she had never shared it with anyone outside of herself.
Katelyn’s eyes darkened, her gaze flicking between Lise and Zoey before settling on Zoey. “I told you to give me the dress back when you got home, not here and now. If you want a scene, I’ll make sure everyone hears about it.”
Zoey’s hand froze, and her fingers trembled slightly. Lise knew exactly how far Katelyn could push. When Katelyn made a threat, it wasn’t just words—she followed through.
Zoey, on the other hand, wasn’t planning on actually removing her dress. She was stretching the moment to look like the victim.
Lise leaned back slightly. She couldn’t help but find the scene amusing. “Katelyn, look at you. Threatening people now? That’s new.”
Katelyn’s smirk deepened. “Do you want another fracture? Another trip to the hospital?”
Her gaze flicked to Lise’s arm that was formerly broken. “This time, should we break your left hand or your right?” The words were soft, but the threat behind them was sharp.
Lise’s eyes sparked with anger. “Katelyn, don’t push it. I was just trying to show some compassion and stand up for this poor girl.”
Lise clenched her jaw, frustration bubbling up inside her. Where had the old Katelyn gone? The one who used to be so easy to control, like a doormat just waiting to be stepped on?
Katelyn’s face stayed unreadable.
Zoey’s hands tightened into fists, her eyes shifting back and forth. She locked eyes with Lise, and something stirred within her. The woman standing before her looked every bit the true heir to the Bailey family—the one everyone had expected to take charge. Maybe Lise could be useful after all.
Zoey’s gaze drifted briefly to the side as a plan began to form in her mind. Then she turned back to Katelyn, her voice laced with fake hurt. “Katelyn, whatever it is, just take it out on me. I’ll do anything you want.”
Tears welled in Zoey’s eyes, quickly spilling down her cheeks. “Please, just don’t send me away. I have no one here in Granville. If you turn your back on me, I’ll be all alone, with nowhere to go.”
Lise’s eyes narrowed, a mix of confusion and disgust flashing in her gaze. Had Katelyn really fallen this far after leaving the Bailey family? Making friends with people like this?
The tension in their corner grew, drawing more and more curious glances toward the unfolding argument. Lise quickly scanned the room, and then raised her voice deliberately, ensuring everyone could hear.
“Katelyn, stop picking on her. You’re making her undress in front of everyone and then threatening to throw her out? We’re all guests here, and you don’t get to do that!”
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