Chapter 53
Chapter 53 Unmasking the False Innocence
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Anton’s words were truly infuriating. Reed couldn’t help wondering if Zora had suffered under Jolie’s schemes while staying at the Knox Villa.
Anton froze, his lips pressing into a firm line as his gaze fixed straight on Zora.
“Zora, I’ve already explained everything to Mom and Dad. Please don’t stay mad at me. Come back home. I’m willing to move out if that’s what you want p>
Jolie took two steps forward, reaching out to take Zora’s hand. “Don’t take your anger out on our parents just because you’re upset with me p>
“Don’t touch me p>
Zora lifted her eyes, shot her a cold glance, and pulled her hand away sharply.
Every time Jolie came near, nothing but trouble followed right after.
Zora hated pointless drama.
She had no one to shield her from endless disputes, no desire to stand in the middle of a crowd being judged as if she were some unforgivable villain.
If she could choose, she would have stayed in Maplewood forever.
“Zora, still won’t forgive me p>
Tears welled instantly in Jolie’s eyes. She stared at Zora with a hurt, wronged look and stumbled back two steps, putting on a perfect act of being deeply wronged.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s repulsive p>
Zora felt a physical revulsion toward Jolie. Her tone was flat, making no effort to hide her disdain.
“Zora, she’s your sister!” Anton stepped forward to steady the teary, unsteady Jolie, his voice edged with anger.
Jolie had already apologized sincerely, yet Zora kept being unrelenting and aggressive.
“I have no sister, quit pretending p>
Zora flared up like a ruffled kitten, irritation swirling in her beautiful eyes.
“Zora p>
Jensen pulled her gently into his arms, stroking the top of her head softly.
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“Easy now, don’t get upset. Have a piece of candy and don’t waste your time on this fake goody- two-shoes p>
Reed had never seen the usually quiet Zora lose her temper like this, proof enough of how much she truly detested Jolie. He stepped close, pulled a candy from his bag, unwrapped it, and slipped it into her mouth.
“Jolie, didn’t I warn you before? Stop dragging Zora into your schemes. If you want to climb the social ladder, don’t use her as your stepping stone.
“And you, Anton—do you even have a working brain? Can’t you see what’s right in front of you p>
Jensen’s expression turned icy, his sharp gaze locking onto the pair putting on a fake sibling act.
Neither of them had taken his warning from the previous day seriously.
He shook his head inwardly. For a renowned lawyer, Anton couldn’t even see through such obvious manipulation.
Truly hopeless, unable to tell what mattered most.
Jolie’s face paled instantly.
Anton frowned deeply.
He could sense Jensen was calling him out, yet when he glanced at the tearful Jolie beside him, then at Zora being tightly protected by the Marlow brothers, a strange feeling settled in his chest.
He was Zora’s real brother, yet it was her cousins who stood guarding her.
Anton’s mind drifted back to what Mae had told him the night before-that Zora was also a child who needed someone to protect her.
Flashback to the previous night.
That afternoon, Jolie had suffered from severe stomach trouble while shopping at the mall. She ended up staying at the jewelry shop inside the mall to receive IV fluids.
No one could figure out what she’d eaten to make her this sick. She could barely stay away from the restroom, running back and forth nonstop until her face turned pale.
It was then that Anton realized something was wrong and called a doctor right away.
Jolie couldn’t leave the restroom, so her IV treatment had to be given there.
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Chapter 53 Unmasking the False Innocence
Stuck by her side while she recovered, Anton couldn’t leave either.
By the time they headed back to the Knox Villa, night had already fallen.
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Anton returned home with bloodshot, exhausted eyes after staying up late. He walked Jolie up to her bedroom, then hurried downstairs to ask Mae for a calming herbal tonic.
His nerves were frayed, throbbing pain pounding at his temples, leaving him worn out and irritable.
“Mae! Mae p>
Anton called out as he descended the stairs, massaging his aching temples.
“Mr. Knox, what’s wrong p>
Mae rushed out from the staff quarters in a panic.
They had returned so late that the staff had already retired for the night.
“Hurry and make me a calming herbal tonic p>
Anton sank onto the sofa, his voice hoarse and strained.
“A calming herbal tonic p>
Mae looked caught off guard, never expecting him to ask for it.
“Yes, right away. My head’s killing me p>
Anton breathed heavily.
“I’m sorry, sir, we don’t have any
left p>
Mae’s expression turned uneasy watching Anton slump pale on the sofa.
“None left?! Then go buy more p>
The calming tonic was the only thing keeping him grounded. Learning that there was none left ignited his frustration instantly.
“Mr. Knox, ever since Zora left, we haven’t had any more of the herbs for the tonic,” Mae replied helplessly.
She would have made it for him if she could, but every batch of the calming herbal tonic Anton drank had always been prepared and supplied by Zora herself.
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