Chapter 320
Chapter 320:
Donna’s patience finally snapped, her voice sharp as steel. “Katelyn, Yelena is my daughter, and her life is not up for public scrutiny. Instead of criticizing her, perhaps you should focus on Bernice. I’ve heard whispers about the company she’s been keeping—hardly flattering. You might want to rein her in before it’s too late p>
The room grew tense. Donna, usually warm and composed, had shown an unexpected fierceness. For her daughter, she would stand her ground, even against family. She would not allow anyone to diminish Yelena, not while she still had breath to defend her.
Katelyn’s disdain for Donna wasn’t new. In the past, she often mocked Donna, taking advantage of her mysterious past. Donna had no memory of her origins, no knowledge of her parents or their home.
This lack of a traceable background had always been ammunition for Katelyn, who saw it as proof that Donna was little more than an orphan—hardly a fitting match for Callum, the head of the Harris family.
Though Callum’s unwavering love for Donna shielded her from overt disrespect, the whispers never truly stopped. The others, bound by their dependence on Callum’s authority, kept their derision subtle, hidden behind polite facades.
But today, with Callum absent, Katelyn’s usual sarcasm turned sharper, her words dripping with venom. In the past, Donna might have swallowed the insults for the sake of family harmony. She had often let such slights go, believing that rising above them was the path of strength. But today was different.
The sharpness in Donna’s tone cut through the room like a blade, leaving Katelyn visibly stunned. Clearly, she hadn’t anticipated this side of Donna.
In the past, Donna had always brushed off Katelyn’s barbs with quiet indifference. But this time, her unexpected assertiveness left Katelyn visibly flustered.
“Fine,” Katelyn sputtered, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “I was only trying to help for Yelena’s sake. If my advice isn’t welcome, then do as you please p>
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝗮𝘁 gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧺𝖼𝗈𝗺
With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off to her room.
“Like mother, like daughter,” Katelyn thought angrily. Only time could tell how long their defiance would last. To her, Yelena’s indifferent demeanor was a sign of insolence—something she was certain would one day make her a laughingstock.
As for Donna, Katelyn’s bitterness ran deeper. Despite years as her sister-in-law, Katelyn had never fully accepted Donna.
The tension seemed to dissipate by the next morning as the family gathered for breakfast. After the meal, everyone went their separate ways.
Yelena had her day mapped out. She was heading to the company to address Brody’s mounting complaints about the workload. She wanted to ensure everything was in order before starting her internship and didn’t want unnecessary drama lingering in the background. With determination in her step, she left for the office.
Meanwhile, Katelyn, accompanied by Bella and Bernice, decided on their usual outing—a shopping spree. It was a ritual they indulged in whenever they gathered. Unbeknownst to them, this seemingly ordinary trip would take a surprising turn later.
Katelyn had a flair for luxury. To her, only high-end brands deserved her attention, a reflection of the lifestyle she believed she was born to lead. Her life with the Herrera family hadn’t always been easy, and she often sought solace with her own family, where Elianna and Callum usually indulged her every whim.
As the youngest child, she had grown accustomed to her mother and brother’s secret allowances and the freedom they afforded her. Returning home was always a treat—no responsibilities, no restrictions, just the carefree life she craved.
This time was no exception. As soon as Katelyn, Bella, and Bernice arrived at the mall, they made a beeline for the Moda Style boutique. The store was abuzz with rumors of fresh designs, pieces so coveted they were flying off the racks.
For Moda Style enthusiasts like Katelyn and her companions, this was a must-see event.
The trio entered with palpable excitement, their eyes scanning the displays like seasoned connoisseurs. It wasn’t long before they were surrounded by racks of exquisite clothing, eagerly trying on outfit after outfit. Their laughter and chatter filled the boutique as they debated colors, cuts, and styles, their enthusiasm contagious.
The sales assistant recognized them immediately. These were no ordinary shoppers—they were the type who could single-handedly meet her sales target for the day. Seizing the opportunity, she turned on the charm, ensuring every detail of her service was impeccable. From fetching sizes to offering styling advice, she left no stone unturned to keep her elite clientele satisfied.