Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan) novel Chapter 400

I stared down Gemma, not leaving her a sliver of space to counter. "Marissa was quite the schemer, playing both sides with those Wilson brothers, stirring up storms as they plotted to take over my company, wreaking havoc among my executives. Her misdeeds are too numerous to document. But do you know what happened to her in the end?"

I pressed in, eyes narrowed maliciously at Gemma, a sneer spreading across my face, "She gambled away that precious child of hers, trying to save her own skin, never expecting that it would cost the kid's life. And what she least expected was that she'd end up dead!"

My words were casual, almost as if I was recounting a joke.

"You're lying. That can't be..."

Gemma's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze turning venomous as she stared at me. "You're lying. Marissa took her child on a trip abroad. Stop cursing her. You're nothing but a sickly mess on death's doorstep. Don't think just because your family has money, you can look down on everyone. Jealousy is an ugly thing. But no matter how rich you are, it won't save you. You're just a..."

Before she could continue, Hannah had had enough. She raised her hand and slapped Gemma across her chubby cheek. The sharp crack of the slap echoed, silencing the room.

Mom looked on with approval at Hannah's action, pride glittering in her eyes.

Dad remained stoic, acting as if nothing had happened.

Hannah shook out her hand, her voice filled with righteous indignation, "You better retire to jail and enjoy your golden years!"

The slap did more than sting Gemma's face; it shattered her bravado. She collapsed, kneeling on the floor. Now she understood the stark difference between her position and Hannah's.

Gemma seemed to sense something amiss, her eyes pleading as she knelt, "Miss Wilburn, please, I haven't done anything wrong. I've served your parents faithfully. I've been nothing but diligent. For the sake of the two months of service, you can't let the police take me away. I've worked hard, if nothing else!"

"Worked hard?" I scoffed coldly. "Do you even know what that means? Tell me the truth. Did you really do nothing?"

This was her last chance.