bChapter /bb104 /b

There was a loud ssh.

Both women hit the water and thrashed about, struggling ito /ikeep afloat.

Genevieve snapped out of her shock and screamed, “Help! iSomeone /ifell in!”

Her cry drew everyone inside the house to the scene.

A figure dashed out, shrugged off his suit jacket, and dove straight into the water.

Charlotte swallowed several mouthfuls of water. She couldn’t swim, and to make

matters worse, both her legs cramped up at that moment.

She caught a glimpse of Evander diving in. She tried to call out for help, but before she could, the water closed over her head again.

But Evander had seen her.

He turned his head–then swam straight toward Tricia instead.

As Charlotte sank, the icy grip of fear inside her was slowly reced by a hollow, suffocating despair.

So this was what it felt like to be abandoned.

She’d been left by her birth parents at the very start of her life.

And now, once again, someone was turning their back on her.

Just as Charlotte was about to slip beneath the surface for good, a strong hand seized hers and pulled her up.

Someone dragged her to the shore. She coughed violently and gasped for breath, her vision swimming as she looked over and saw Tricia, pale and trembling, lying

in Evander’s arms.

Tricia stared back at her, wide–eyed and innocent, “Dr. Sterling… why did you push

me?”

Evander’s face was cold, his expression thunderous. “You pushed her?”

There was a chill in his voice that cut straight through her. Before Charlotte could even answer, Genevieve piped up, “Evander! It had to be her. She hated that I brought Tricia here–that’s why she pushed her!”

Charlotte felt frozen to her core–not just her body, but her heart as well.

07:56

She clenched her fists, forcing a bitterugh. “I can’t swim. Why would I risk my own life to push her?”

“Dr. Sterling, are you saying I threw myself in on purpose to frame you?” Tricia’s voice trembled, full of hurt.

“Didn’t you?”

“That’s enough!” Evander’s eyes were dark, sharp with anger. “Charlotte, stop making excuses. Apologize now, and I’ll let this go.”

Charlotte felt her chest tighten–she could barely breathe. She took a deep breath, fighting to keep her voice steady. “Evander, I told you. I didn’t push her.”

“You’re really going to make me force you to apologize?”

Her heart twisted painfully inside her.

It wasn’t fair.

Tricia nestled closer to him, her voice soft and aggrieved. “Let it go, Evander. If Dr. Sterling doesn’t want to apologize, I don’t want to make things difficult..”

Evander nced over her head at the security guards behind him.

They exchanged uncertain looks, then one of them awkwardly gripped Charlotte’s shoulder. “Please… just apologize.”

Her eyes were rimmed red as she struggled against his hold. “I didn’t push her! Why should I apologize for something I didn’t do?”

Genevieve folded her arms, smirking. “Stop arguing and just apologize to Tricia already!”

“Let’s see you try!”

The words rang out, calm and unhurried. Rosemary approached, walking steadily with Miranda supporting her arm.

At the sight of the olddy, Genevieve instinctively shrank behind Evander, not daring ito /ispeak further.

Tricia bit her lip, her face turning sour.

Why did this old witch have to show up now?

“Who on earth brought her here?” Rosemary red at Tricia as if she were something unpleasant tracked in on her shoes, her disgust in as day.

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07:56

Genevieve trembled, suddenly aware that her grandmother was truly angry for once. She hesitated, unsure whether to admit the truth.

Evander answered quietly, “I brought her.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Rosemary snapped. “You’re putting Lottie through all this for that woman? Have you lost your senses?”

Tricia forced out a few tears, her voice quivering just so. “Grandma Rosemary, I know you don’t like me, but don’t me Evander. If you have to be angry, be angry at me. I insisted oning…”