Chapter 8
“I heard she’s the one who pushed Miss Mara down the stairs. A brat like that needs some harsh discipline p>
Mr. Mercer’s face was a mask of disgust as he scowled at Mira. “Why are you here looking like that? Didn’t you even change your clothes or clean yourself up. Have you forgotten your manners p>
Mrs. Mercer-Lacey—and her other brothers also glared at her with displeasure.
“Showing up without even tidying yourself up, what is wrong with you?” Damon couldn’t help but complain.
For Mira to appear like this at such an important event was a deep embarrassment to him.
Just then, someone in the crowd started heckling.
“Apologize p>
“Apologize p>
The voices of the younger guests merged into a massive wave of sound that echoed through the hall.
Mara’s lips curled into an involuntary smirk as Mira approached.
*Look at her,* she thought. *Still trying to act all elegant and confident? Soon, she’ll be nothing but dust under my feet p>
“You don’t have to apologize, little sister. I forgive you p>
“Oh, but I have to apologize, don’t I? Wasn’t it you, dear sister, who suggested I make a public apology? Besides, I’ve been left to rot in a dark basement without a scrap of food or a sip of water for thirty hours. Is this the ‘discipline’ you all wanted to see p>
“No, sister, you’ve misunderstood p>
Mira cut her off by grabbing the microphone.
“Doesn’t everyone want to hear me apologize? Well, you’d better listen closely p>
“How wonderful that you’ve finally seen the light,” Julian said, his lips curling into a smirk.
“Since that’s the case, go on and show everyone how sorry you are p>
This sister of his had become an expert at putting on a show, acting one way to their faces and another behind their backs. Who knew if she was being sincere or just faking it?
Mira shot him a glance but ignored him, continuing her speech.
“Yesterday, my biggest mistake was running into my sister on the stairs. I’ll be more careful next time. I promise to stay far, far away from her the moment I see her. You see, what you all might not know is that my dear sister’s talent for framing people is truly legendary. After this whole ordeal, not only is my reputation ruined and my future destroyed, but if I hadn’t agreed to apologize today, I might have even lost my life p>
Mira took a breath, the words seeming to have taken all her strength.
“Is it really that serious p>
“It just might be p>
“She’s only a kid, after all. She probably can’t handle the pressure p>
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
“What are you talking about p>
Her father’s angry voice cut through the air, and she could feel the furious stares of her family on her.
She could also hear Mara’s soft sobs.
*Oh, we’re just getting started,* Mira thought. *Listen closely, dear family. My apology isn’t over yet p>
Mira ignored them and addressed the crowd again.
“Do you want to know the truth? Do you want to witness my sister’s masterful performance for yourselves p>
“The truth? Who wouldn’t want to know p>
It was Liora’s voice. Her one
gestion was all it took. The younger who had been hesitaet
before, now began to chant loudly
“The truth p>
“The truth p>
Their parents, seeing the dark expressions on the faces of the Mercers, realized something was wrong.
They tried to quiet their children, but their voices were drowned out by the excited shouts.
At this point, Mara had no idea what trick Mira had up her sleeve, but she
adent Mira couldn’t produce
arty real
evidence.
She trusted the butler.
Without concrete proof, no one would believe mere words.
“Sister, it’s just an apology. You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Why make such a
scene with all this nonsense p>
Mara said, frowning with a look of helplessness.
Mira couldn’t be bothered to respond. “Please, turn your attention to the wall p>
Mira took out her phone and the projector, and an image of
yesterday’s incident immediat
appeared on the blank white wall p>