Chapter 565

Under her mother's icy gaze, Irene felt a wave of cowardice wash over her. She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but in the end, no words came out. She simply stood there, her face pale, staring at her mother. Flora, witnessing the scene, was already terrified. She glanced at Mrs. Harper, the chairman's wife, then back at Irene. Gritting her teeth, she quickly spoke up, "Auntie... this isn’t Irene’s fault. It was all me—" Before she could finish, Mrs. Harper’s frigid gaze snapped toward her face. Instantly, Flora’s words died in her throat. Mrs. Harper frowned at her, then said coldly, "I’m speaking to my daughter. Who gave you the right to interrupt? Did your family fail to teach you basic manners?" The words were nothing short of humiliating. Flora’s eyes reddened immediately. Irene didn’t dare breathe too loudly, let alone defend herself. She desperately wanted to say it wasn’t her fault—that Flora was the one who provoked Ariana and Fanny. She had planned this from the start, l