"But being young is not an excuse to escape responsibility."
Leah looked down at Hattie, looking into the child's dark and pure eyes, full of cold and sharp hatred, although it was frightening, it could not hide the innocence and purity of the child.
She had a strange smile on her lips and stared at Hattie. "Little girl, didn't Selena teach you to think before you act?"
She leaned close to Hattie's ear, like a poisonous snake, and said coldly, "Today I'll teach you a lesson and make you remember the price of impulsiveness!"
"Open your eyes and see clearly, it was you who harmed Estrella!"
Upon hearing her words, Hattie seemed to realize that something terrible was about to happen. She trembled uncontrollably and instinctively tried to push Leah away and find Selena.
Leah chuckled lightly and said maliciously in her ear, "If you run away now, Estrella will be dragged into the room by those men, Mr. Gibson will beat her to a pulp, and all his anger will be directed at Estrella. Even if you call Selena, it won't change anything!"
Hattie's frail body instantly stiffened again.
Leah sensed her submission and softened her voice, smiling gently as she stood up straight.
She looked at Austin. "Mr. Gibson, Estrella is right. Hattie is still a child. Although she has hurt us, as adults, we should be magnanimous and not hold her accountable."
Austin didn't dare to really harm Hattie, but he was very unwilling to let her go. When he heard Leah's words, he turned his gaze to her and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oh? What do you suggest?"
Leah's malicious gaze turned to Estrella, and she curled her lips. "Children make mistakes, and adults should take responsibility for them. Today's incident was originally caused by Estrella. You should teach her a small lesson and make her remember your status so that she won't dare to make the same mistake again..."
As she spoke, she pressed her hands firmly on Hattie.
Hattie opened her eyes wide and, although she was only thirteen years old, she understood Leah's wicked intentions.
But she dare not move or run away, and can only stare at Leah, at a loss.
Estrella probably understood that today could not end well no matter what. She looked at Leah with a contemptuous smile. "Leah, you'll never be able to compare to Lady Selena, never!"
Leah's expression momentarily became almost uncontrollably fierce, and she tightened her grip on Hattie.
Hannah sneered, "I think Mrs. Walson's idea is great. Can't we teach this brat a lesson? When a child makes a mistake, the accompanying adult should bear the responsibility. It's only natural!"
Austin sneered and let go of Estrella's hair. He took a step back and his face was full of malicious intent. "Then let's see how you teach her. Stop when I'm satisfied!"
Hannah couldn't wait any longer. She took a step forward and raised her hand to slap Estrella's face fiercely.
"Smack!"
The heavy slap hit Estrella's pale face, causing her face to turn to the side.
Hattie's body trembled and she instinctively wanted to rush forward, but Leah held her down firmly. She whispered in Hattie's ear like a venomous snake, "This is just the beginning. Can you handle what's coming next?"
The other half of Estrella's face immediately swelled up again. It probably didn't hurt as much because the pain had numbed her.
She raised her eyes and looked at Hannah in front of her with disdain. As if the person who had been beaten was not her.
Hannah hated her even more in her heart. She moved her wrist and raised her hand to hit Estrella again.
"Smack!"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Be Spoiled After Rebirth (Selena and Osvaldo)