Chapter 4

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, about to speak. Unexpectedly, Isabella quickly tugged at Sophia's arm, trying to look all innocent as she said, "Mom, no need to call security, right? She's young. Probably just lost her mind for a sec and stormed in here." Then she turned around and walked a few steps toward Elizabeth, wearing that fake graceful look. "Hey, girl, you should go now. This really isn't the place for you." "Oh really?" Elizabeth's smile grew softer, but her tone had a chill sharp enough to bite. "And just so we're clear—you're the one who doesn't belong here." After all these years, Elizabeth hadn't expected her to get even more shameless. Her tricks were deeper now. She was playing the innocent act better than ever. "How could you say that?" Isabella's eyes welled up, trying to look heartbroken. "I was just trying to help you." Elizabeth let out a cold laugh, too tired to even fake politeness with her. Slap! Without any warning, Elizabeth swung hard, landing a sharp slap right across Isabella's face, knocking her off her feet. The hall went dead silent. Had this crazy woman seriously just laid hands on the Kaisers' daughter? "Ahh!" Isabella clutched her face, eyes wide with pain and panic. Her lips swelled up instantly, blood-stained saliva dribbling down as tears brimmed in her eyes. She scrambled backward in fear. "You bitch!" Sophia shouted, furious and shocked. She rushed forward and raised her hand, aiming for a slap. "Where the hell did you come from? How dare you hit my daughter! You shameless brat—" "What on earth are you doing?" Victor stared at Elizabeth, totally stunned. Elizabeth's smile didn't budge, but her eyes turned icy. She twisted her body, dodged Sophia's hand with ease, then threw back a slap of her own, smacking Sophia's face sideways. That second slap left everyone in the room in total shock. "You... you dared to hit me!" Sophia clutched her cheek, shaking with rage. She had been Mrs. Kaiser for over a decade, spoiled and respected. No one had ever dared lay a finger on her. Getting slapped by some nobody girl who popped out of nowhere? That was like being stripped naked and thrown in public. Her fury exploded, and logic went out the window. Sophia swung at Elizabeth again, but it was useless. Elizabeth scoffed, then gave her a solid kick, sending her flying off the stage. There was a faint crunch of bone. "Aaaagh!" Sophia screamed, "My back... my leg!" "Sophia!" Lucas shouted in panic. He rushed to her side, helping her up and frantically checking her injuries. "Are you okay?!" Meanwhile, Isabella finally snapped out of it. She messily wiped her mouth with a towel, giving Elizabeth a look full of blame and sadness. "I see now... you're into Victor too, aren't you?" "I'll back off and let you have him. Just please... let me and my mom go, alright?" Her pitiful sobs made Victor's heart ache. He said, "Elizabeth, don't say that nonsense. A lunatic like her doesn't even deserve me!" "I wanna be with you, but I can't keep watching my mom get hurt..." Just like that, Isabella slumped into his arms, and the two clung to each other. To outsiders, she was delicate and miserable—totally the poor victim. But Elizabeth was getting sick of the act. Actually sick. Elizabeth wasn't even sure she could stop herself from throwing another slap if Isabella kept it up. "Cut it out," Elizabeth sneered. "Charlotte, drop the innocent act. You think pretending to be some poor little thing changes the fact that you're nothing but a filthy thief?" Yeah, no one should be fooled—she and Sophia were two of a kind, both spoiled and sinister to the core. She wasn't some sweet girl named Isabella. She was Charlotte Murray.