Chapter 18

Caroline had been waiting for Bianca to step in and support her, but to her shock, Bianca was quick to distance herself, even throwing her under the bus. "Aunt Bianca, I'm your niece!" Caroline protested in a trembling voice. Bianca's gaze hardened as she stared coldly at Caroline. "Even if you were my daughter, I wouldn't defend you for something this foolish." She turned to Julia and said with a smile, "Julia, please don't let Caroline's mistakes affect your opinion of me and David." Julia understood Bianca was trying to curry favor, so she played along. "Of course, Aunt Bianca, you've always been fair and just. I would never blame you for someone else's problems." She then fixed her eyes on Caroline. "Caroline, I'm running out of patience." Even if Caroline hated to admit defeat, she had no choice but to stagger upright and bow in apology to Julia. "Ms. Yeomans, I'm sorry. I was narrow-minded and misjudged you. Please forgive me." Though she apologized, her clenched fists and