Chapter 88
Chapter 88 A Standoff Over Who Stays
Zora stayed quiet, saying nothing at all.
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Go back to the Knox Villa? Ever since she’d walked out of that house, Zora had never once planned to return.
“What about Jolie if Zora goes back?” Opal turned to Wendy, her question sharp and direct.
Wendy hesitated.
“Mom… what happened before was just a misunderstanding. Jolie never meant any harm, and it’s all cleared up now p>
She glanced toward Zora and went on.
“If they’re both home, I’ll talk some sense into Zora. The girls are close in age, and Jolie has always had a gentle nature-they’ll surely get along fine p>
In Wendy’s eyes, the friction between them was nothing serious, easy to fix with a little guidance. She believed Jolie would be willing to give way, and she would make sure Zora behaved too. The two could learn to live side by side peacefully.
After raising Jolie for more than a decade, Wendy could never simply let her go.
Even after seeing the full truth the day before, disappointment stung her heart, yet she still refused to write Jolie off entirely. Jolie had only acted out of overwhelming fear. Wendy was convinced that if they reassured her that she would never be cast aside, Jolie would calm down and treat Zora properly.
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“Didn’t I tell you not to plan on taking Zora back until you can make a real decision?” Opal looked at her indecisive daughter, heavy with disappointment p>
What had happened had nearly turned deadly, yet Wendy still treated the girls’ conflict like a trivial matter.
Opal shook her head helplessly.
Wendy had been sheltered all her life, spoiled by her parents and cherished by Wayne. She had never faced real hardship, leaving her unable to see things clearly. When tough choices had to be made, her soft heart always stopped her from doing what was necessary.
“Mom, Zora and Jolie aren’t enemies that can’t be fixed. They’re both my daughters-how could I ever give either one up p>
Wendy had not expected her mother to push her so hard. She shot a glance at Zora, then looked back at Opal, trapped and helpless.
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Chapter 88 A Standoff Over Who Stays
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Both girls were her flesh and blood; she could not bear to lose either.
Anton hadn’t expected Opal to be so blunt either. He stepped in.
“Grandma, Jolie only made one mistake. She was terrified, and she’s already admitted she was wrong. With a little guidance from the family, she and Zora can absolutely learn to get along p>
Jolie had called him the afternoon before to explain everything. She swore she’d only messed up out of panic, that she knew her fault now, and promised never to cause trouble again, vowing to treat Zora well from then on.
Having grown up alongside Jolie for years, Anton would not turn his back on her so easily.
Even though he knew it was Zora who had sent the herbal remedies, not Jolie, his loyalty still leaned firmly toward Jolie.
“That will never happen.” Opal shook her head. “You people still refuse to see Jolie for who she truly is. I won’t let Zora go back with you just to be wronged p>
She sighed quietly at how the Knox family still blindly defended Jolie.
It would be a long time before they finally woke up to the truth.
All the evidence was laid right in front of them, yet they still chose not to believe it.
Opal could not understand how they could be so stubbornly blind.
“Since you still can’t make up your mind, I’ll decide for you.” Opal’s tone turned firm as she fixed her gaze on Wendy.
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“Send Jolie away from the Knox Villa. Buy her a separate place, hire people to look after her, and give her monthly living expenses p>
Now that she was older, Opal could never feel safe letting Zora return to the Knox household with the family acting this way.
She had to force her daughter to make a clear choice-and give Wendy one last chance to win back Zora’s heart.
As long as Jolie stayed, Zora and Wendy would never reconcile.
If they waited any longer, it would be too late to fix things for good.
“Mom… Wayne will never agree to this.” Wendy’s face filled with distress. She dropped her gaze, unable to meet Opal’s eyes.
“Besides, Jolie grew up by my side all these years. How could I trust strangers to take care of her p>
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Chapter 88 A Standoff Over Who Stays
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“Then are you perfectly fine leaving Zora here with us?” Opal’s voice turned cold. “You can’t bear to send Jolie away, yet you once threatened to send Zora off without a second thought p>
“Mom… of course I’m at peace leaving Zora with you,” Wendy hurried to explain. “I only said that out of anger back then p>
She knew her mother doted on children, which was why she had never worried too much after Zora came to stay at the Marlow Manor-only missed her deeply, wishing she could see her daughter every day.
But as for sending Jolie away, Wayne would never agree to it.
“You have no idea how much thoughtless words spoken in anger can hurt a child.” Opal felt utterly frustrated by her daughter’s naivety.
Zora stood quietly to one side, listening without a word, watching the argument unfold silently.
Even with Opal fighting fiercely for her, she knew the Knox family would never give up on Jolie.
“Grandma, please don’t trouble yourself over me.” Zora stepped forward softly. “I’m happy staying here with you p>
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