Chapter 46
Aurora turned around, catching the fleeting look of hatred in Stacy’s eyes that continued to push her last nerve. Aurora said, “Yesterday, I stayed at school too late. I was worried about disturbing you all when I came home, so I just found a hotel to crash at.
“What? Maura didn’t come home last night either?” Aurora casually brushed her hair, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. “Something happened to her? How is she? Did you call the cops?” Her string of questions successfully left Stacy speechless.
First of all, there was no way Stacy could call the police. Maura was in hospital, and if the cops got involved, they’d definitely look into her medical records. Her condition would be exposed, and the source of everything would be traced. When that happens, the ones who won’t be able to slip out of trouble will be her and Rocco.
Stacy couldn’t help but think that if the news got out about Maura’s drug addiction, there would be no way for her to show her face in Mereida again. The engagement with the Newton family would surely fall apart, and even if their heir still needed a bone marrow transplant, they would never accept Maura now.
To make matters worse, Jaxon’s business would take a hit too. Their family name, the Crawford name, would be ruined in Mereida. So, with all that in mind, Stacy knew she couldn’t call the cops, and there was no way she could discuss this out in the open.
Stacy’s mind was in turmoil, torn between Maura, who was barely hanging on in her hospital bed, and Aurora, standing before her with a healthy glow. The stark contrast between them was driving Stacy to the edge.
Aurora coldly watched Stacy’s frantic state, pretending to be concerned. “Are you okay, Mrs. Crawford? Why are you sweating so much? Should I call a doctor for you?”
Aurora reflected. ‘When I first met Stacy just a few months ago, she was sitting in the garden sipping her afternoon coffee, casually pointing at me like I was some nobody, telling me to live in the servants‘ quarters in the back. She was so full of herself.
‘She kept saying I was dirty, like I brought something filthy from the countryside, always looking at me with disdain. And now? She’s only brought this mess on herself. Not even worth pitying.’
Stacy’s face was grim, and a flash of vicious hatred passed through her eyes. She knew Aurora had bad intentions, but she had no choice but to force a smile and respond. It felt like a knife was slicing through her flesh; and each breath made her chest ache with pain.
“I’m fine. It’s getting late, and you have to…” Stacy paused, clenching her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Stacy couldn’t help but feel resentful. Maura was still lying in the hospital, and yet here was Aurora, heading off to school like nothing had happened. It all seemed so unfair to Stacy.
“You still have school tomorrow, so you’d better get some rest.” Stacy was finally forced out through gritted teeth.
She then grumbled inwardly, ‘I have to admit I was careless this time. I didn’t expect Aurora to turn the tables. Next time, I’ll make sure that Aurora pays a heavy price. I’m willing to let her go, but who says she’s willing to let me off? Since she dares to harm Maura, she’ll have to deal with the consequences!
Aurora tossed her backpack onto the couch, startling Jaxon, who was already sitting there. His just–recovered complexion immediately darkened.
He pondered irritably, ‘Aurora is really out of line. She’s so rough and doesn’t even act like a girl at all. Why couldn’t she learn just a bit of Maura’s good qualities?‘
Aurora let out a sarcastic laugh and looked at the couple, whose faces were equally unpleasant. She deliberately struck a nerve, asking, “Didn’t you both just say I was the one who hurt Maura and wanted to kick me out? So why not now?”
Jaxon was irritated at her for bringing it up and wondered, ‘Couldn’t she just let this matter pass smoothly? Does she really have to spell everything Out?‘
He was growing more and more dissatisfied with Aurora. With a cold snort, he turned away, not wanting to look at her anymore, afraid he might not be able to resist slapping her across the face.
Stacy noticed Jaxon’s impatience and an idea popped into her head. She said, “Aurora, that was just your dad speaking out of anger earlier. Why are you still holding on to ht? We shouldn’t be so nit–picky or make things a big deal. Just apologize to your dad, and this whole thing will be behind us.”
Aurora sneered inwardly, “The way she’s putting it, it’s like I’m the one being petty. So, I guess getting taken away, beaten by Maura, and injected with that ‘mud water‘ is all just nothing, right?
‘Maura ended up in the hospital, and the two of them rushed there as fast as they could, teaming up to come give me a hard time. And yet, somehow, no one remembered that I was also taken away.
‘Oh, right. I forgot that Stacy was the mastermind behind the scenes. And it looks like Dad knew all about it, too. Well then, no wonder. Maura’s practically perfect in his eyes, and nothing I do is ever right. Standing next to him, even breathing feels like a mistake.
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Chapter 46
13
So if that’s the case, why should I even care what Dad thinks of me? No need to go looking for trouble, huh?”
Aurora shook off Stacy’s hand and turned around to face her directly. “I clearly didn’t come home with Maura. So, Mrs. Crawford, how can you say that Maura’s condition is my fault?”
This time, Aurora didn’t bother to hide her malice. “That’s a pretty big accusation. I wouldn’t dare accept it. What if someone overhears and spreads it around? How would I ever clear my name then?”
Stacy pinched her thigh hard, using the pain to stop herself from lunging at Aurora and clawing her face off. Instead, Stacy forced a smile and replied. “Of course not. There’s no one else around here, anyway. It’s normal for a young girl to have a temper. It just shows that we like you and are willing to spoil you.”
Even now, Stacy was relentless in throwing dirt at Aurora, as if she thought Aurora would just take it quietly.
Aurora stepped closer and closer in Stacy’s direction, and Stacy, unsettled by Aurora’s piercing gaze that seemed to see right through her, could only step back. Stacy kept retreating until her calf hit the table in the middle of the living room, leaving her no room to back away further.
“Mrs. Crawford, I’ve been at school all day today. What exactly happened to Maura? Does it have anything to do with me?” Aurora questioned. Stacy’s mind was in turmoil. If she followed her true feelings, she would’ve grabbed Aurora by the throat and screamed that it was all her fault. Maura ended up in the hospital because of her, Maura was lying in the ICU because of her, Maura still hadn’t made it out of critical condition, and Maura might even end up locked away in that kind of place, all because of Aurora.
But logic held Stacy back firmly. She knew full well she couldn’t say that. If she did, Maura would be ruined, and she herself would never be able to show her face again.
Stacy thought with a scoff, ‘How did this little bitch manage to escape? She should’ve been injected with that stuff. She should’ve gotten hooked and stayed under our control forever!‘
Aurora seemed to pick up on the crazy thoughts swirling in Stacy’s mind and asked again, “Mrs. Crawford, does Maura’s situation have anything to do with me? I was just eating when you and Dad barged in and started yelling at me. You scared me half to death, you know?”
Seeing that this little brat still dared to put on an act in front of her, Stacy was so angry that her teeth ached from how hard she was clenching them. “Answer me!” Aurora urged.
Stacy closed her eyes, and it felt like all the strength had drained from her body at that moment. She collapsed weakly onto the table, her tailbone slamming against its hard surface, the pain so sharp it nearly brought tears to her eyes. But that searing pain, shooting straight up to her brain, cleared her mind for a brief second.
She nearly ground her teeth to dust before she finally spoke. “Maura was in a car accident on her way home. How could that have anything to do with you?”
