Chapter 78
Chapter 78:
Bella stiffened, the weight of the accusation pressing down on her. Guilt flashed across her face, betraying her connection to Bernice.
Her voice faltered as she stammered, “Rumors… they’re not always true p>
Yelena tilted her head slightly, her smirk deepening. “Rumors or lies, Bella, they don’t float on their own. Someone has to breathe life into them. And once you’re old enough to drive a car or pay a bill, you’re old enough to answer for the words you say. Let me make myself perfectly clear—if I hear this kind of nonsense again, I’ll treat it as slander. And if her parents can’t teach her basic decency, I assure you, society will p>
“You!” Bernice shot to her feet, her face blazing with fury.
As the only child in her family, Bernice had grown up pampered, her world revolving around her whims. Her spoiled upbringing had fostered an air of arrogance.
Yelena cast a brief glance toward the group before turning and heading upstairs.
Donna quickly followed her daughter, and her thoughts churned as they ascended. She wasn’t just concerned about her daughter being wronged—she was determined to ensure it wouldn’t happen.
This was her home, a fortress built by Callum’s hard work and hers.
No one had the right to disrupt its harmony, least of all guests who overstepped their bounds.
Yelena’s sharp words earlier had served their purpose. Donna was secretly pleased. A warning had been issued, clear as day. If these people didn’t grasp the situation now, it wasn’t because they hadn’t been told—it was because they chose to ignore it.
As Donna reached the top of the stairs, she allowed herself a small, satisfied snort. They needed to remember who truly ran this house.
Downstairs, the tension simmered like a pot about to boil over. Katelyn, in particular, was seething. She hadn’t expected Yelena to speak so bluntly in front of everyone.
gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.k𝗈𝗺 – 𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝒶𝓽 𝖠𝖳
The audacity! Yelena’s words had been pointed, a direct jab at her parenting.
Katelyn fumed inwardly, her face darkening.
Yelena was exactly as the rumors had painted her—difficult, sharp-tongued, and utterly unyielding.
Her piercing eyes, so defiant and rebellious, sent a chill down Katelyn’s spine.
That girl wasn’t just stubborn; she was a threat, a storm waiting to break. From the moment they met, her impression of Yelena had been abysmal.
Perhaps it was chemistry—or rather, the lack of it. Or maybe the rumors had already tainted her perception.
Either way, being spoken down to by someone so much younger was a slap to Katelyn’s pride. How could she show her face to others after this humiliation?
No, this wouldn’t do. She couldn’t let Yelena’s insolence slide. She had to find a way to deal with her, and quickly.
While Katelyn fumed, Bella, ever the opportunist, raised the corners of her lips slightly before speaking in a soft, innocent tone. “Aunt Katelyn, please don’t be upset. Yelena’s always been this way. She still needs some time to get used to living with people like us. Let me apologize on her behalf p>
Katelyn turned to Bella, her expression softening. “Bella, you’re such a sensible girl. Not like that Yelena—spoiled and disrespectful. Daring to talk back to her elders? Utterly insolent p>
Bella sighed softly, her eyes downcast. “It’s my fault, Aunt Katelyn. I took her place for years. If it weren’t for me, maybe Yelena wouldn’t have turned out this way. I feel so guilty p>