Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 1529

"Estelle, why is it that every time Carmella makes a little progress, you show up to stir the pot? If you have a problem with me and you're not satisfied with me, just come at me directly! Why take it out on Carmella? Would you be satisfied only if she's dead?"
Simone's voice was hoarse, filled with anger and hatred.
Estelle's gaze was slightly cold, her tone calm. "Why do you still insist on believing that I'm the one hurting her? Was it me who asked her to steal my designs and go on a talent show? Was it me who made her deny her mistakes and even bite back at me with false accusations? Or was it me who forced her to be so arrogant that she hired internet trolls to attack me? Aren't all these troubles her own making?"
Simone angrily retorted, "It was you! You intentionally let Carmella walk into your office and see the design drafts, didn't you? You deliberately set a trap to harm her!"
Estelle frowned, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. Then she said contemptuously, "Mrs. Simone, do you and Carmella both suffer from persecution delusions? Let's assume your conspiracy theory is true. Let's suppose I really wanted her to see my designs and then frame her. If she had any self-awareness, knowing that plagiarism is despicable, then she wouldn't have stolen my designs. But she did. This means that she couldn't resist the temptation of fame and profit, so she chose to steal my designs. If she were a person of integrity, even if I placed my designs right in front of her, she wouldn't have taken a glance."
Simone was silent for a moment, her faint sobbing was the only sound on the phone line. It was a sound of helplessness and fear.
For some reason, Estelle didn't hang up. She just listened to Simone's sobbing, turning her gaze towards the window. The leaves of the begonia tree in the early autumn had already turned yellow, and with a gust of wind, a few leaves gently fell, piling up on the ground.
After a while, Simone spoke again. "Estelle, if Carmella can pull through, could you spare her for my sake, for giving birth to you? She started to change after you appeared. She's afraid that you'll take away the person she loves most, that you'll take her place, and that's why she's having mental problems."
Estelle calmly replied, "She's already taken too much that belongs to her, even things that should have been mine. Do you really think I would forgive her that easily? I'm sorry, but I can't."
Simone's tone softened. "It's your father and I who owe you an apology. We did something bad to you, and we apologize. As long as you're willing to let Carmella go, I promise that she won't bother you anymore!"
Estelle's voice was as calm as ever. "And how do you propose I let her go?"
Simone said in haste, "Estelle, you could make a public announcement, saying that you gave the designs to Carmella on purpose, that this whole thing was a publicity stunt to make yourself famous. And then tell everyone that the things Carmella did were all part of the act."
Estelle looked surprised. She couldn't help but laugh. "Simone, you want me to ruin my own reputation to save Carmella?"
Simone quickly responded, "No, you have so many fans and so many achievements. Your status is established, and no one will blame you!"
Estelle's gaze returned to the begonia tree outside the window, her eyes suddenly a little nonchalant.
Simone continued to persuade her. "Estelle, if you're willing to help Carmella to save her this time, I promise to love you as much as I love Carmella from now on. I can bring you back to the Macclain family immediately. We can live happily together as a family from now on."
Estelle's gaze fell on the leaves rustling in the wind, her voice faint and light. "Simone, am I really your daughter? After you found me, did you actually do a DNA test and confirm the results with your own eyes? Are you really my mother?"
She must have gotten it wrong. Simone loved Carmella so much, how could they not be real mother and daughter?
Simone hesitated for a moment. "Of course, I'm sure about this. What do you mean by asking this?"
Estelle took a deep breath, her gentle face gradually turning cold. She said lightly, "What you're saying would only be possible if Carmella survives, right?"
Simone quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, Carmella is still in the emergency room!"
Estelle laughed coldly. Her words were clear and distinct. "Well then, I wish she would stay in that emergency room forever!"
Then Estelle hung up the phone.