The True Heiress: Legend Mode novel Chapter 143

"Mom! Stop being so unreasonable! This was Rhiannon's fault to begin with! A simple apology would have been the end of it! We've given her everything over the years, and I can confidently say we have a clear conscience!"

"I hear you loud and clear. Even if this girl set the world on fire, you'd all still coddle her!"

Matilda looked at them as if they had lost their minds.

"My daughter has suffered out there for years. Now that she's finally home, why shouldn't I spoil her?!"

"This kind of blind affection will ruin her!"

Harrison reached over and squeezed his wife's hand to calm her before looking back at the older woman. "Mom, regardless of what happened, this is an internal family matter. We aren't unreasonable people. Whoever made a mistake should take responsibility. You're overreacting."

With every word they spoke, Rhiannon's face grew a shade paler.

She knew she had painted herself into a corner. If she didn't apologize today, this wouldn't just blow over.

She gently patted Matilda's arm. "It's okay. I'm just so grateful you spoke up for me. But I really was in the wrong today, so I want to formally apologize."

She offered a deep bow. "I'm sorry."

Straightening up, she looked the picture of absolute heartbreak. "Ever since I found out I wasn't the biological daughter, I've walked on eggshells. I've tried my best to treat everyone with care, just wanting this family to be happy. But now, I clearly have no place here anymore.

I'm incredibly thankful you didn't kick me out the moment you found out the truth, and continued to treat me well. One should know how to be grateful. But I know when I'm the cause of conflict. To repay your kindness, I'll move out today."

Juno saw right through the performance. It was a classic retreat-to-advance tactic, an attempt to brush the whole incident under the rug while playing the victim.

Did she really think Juno would let her off that easily?

Tilting her chin up, Juno casually remarked, "A fragile girl like you would definitely struggle to pack all by yourself."

Rhiannon looked at her, confused.

She had already asked Morgan to investigate the photos, but the sender was completely off the grid. The Obsidian Court's network didn't extend deeply into Kingsland, putting them at a severe disadvantage.

Since they couldn't track the enemy down, they had to draw them out.

Matilda, completely oblivious to Juno's psychological warfare, only saw a vicious bully. Seeing her favorite crying her eyes out made her heart ache.

She scoffed coldly. "Fine! If you don't want her, I do! Come on! You're coming home with me!"

Juno watched the melodrama unfold with deadpan silence.

It's easy to go from rags to riches, but impossible to go back.

A girl like her couldn't survive a day without a platinum card, so latching onto Matilda was her only viable survival strategy.

Trying to salvage some pride, Rhiannon pulled her credit card from her purse and placed it on the dining table. "I have no right to spend your money anymore."