Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 493

Fiona and Mara had just exited the corporate building and were walking toward the parking lot when a voice called out to them. Adrian had been incredibly overwhelmed these past few days, unable to manage a myriad of issues. Playing the role of the devoted partner, Fiona had stayed late at the office with Mara to handle things.

“M-Madam,” Fiona stammered instinctively, the old title slipping out.

Lacey let out a cold scoff, completely ignoring the greeting, and gestured toward an alleyway. Having been the matriarch of the Mercer family for years, Lacey knew exactly which blind spots around the building were entirely devoid of security cameras.

Fear gripped Fiona's chest. She had no intention of following, but as she glanced around, two of Lacey's burly bodyguards had already closed in, blocking Mara's path.

“Let Mara go, and I'll come with you,” Fiona said, her voice trembling.

“Fine,” Lacey nodded.

Her deepest hatred was reserved entirely for Fiona. As for Mara, even though the girl had caused her immense pain, Fiona was the root of all this suffering.

“Hah. I used to wonder why you were always so incredibly devoted to Mara. Turns out, she's your own biological daughter. I was such an absolute fool.”

“Were you the one who told Adrian that Mira was the product of an affair between Norman and me?” Lacey demanded, her gaze locking onto Fiona's.

Fiona had bullied and humiliated her countless times over the years, and Lacey had been willing to let those things go, believing she had brought them upon herself. But this—this malicious lie—was the one thing she refused to stomach.

Fiona wanted to deny it, but under Lacey's piercing, certain stare, the woman's eyes darted away nervously. Her perfectly contoured face paled.

Smack! A vicious slap landed squarely on Fiona's cheek.

“You bitch. Even a stray dog would know to wag its tail at me if I fed it.”

Smack! Another brutal slap echoed against Fiona's skin.

Her bodyguards moved to intervene, but Lacey waved her own men off, signaling them to let it go. She figured she had done enough damage and had no desire to actually kill the woman and invite a police investigation. Besides, letting Fiona die right now would be letting her off way too easy.

“You beat my mother to a pulp! I'm pressing charges,” Mara screamed, staring in horror at her mother, who was now a bloody, bruised mess on the ground.

“Press charges? Please, go right ahead. I can't wait,” Lacey mocked, her eyes flashing. “Make a huge scene out of it. Let's drag this all into the courtroom so the entire world can hear exactly how the Mercer family's precious mistress framed the legal wife, and expose every disgusting, sordid thing you've both done. I'd love to put on a show for everyone.”

Mara immediately shut her mouth. The last thing she wanted was for her high-society peers to find out she was the illegitimate daughter of a homewrecker.

For the first time in her life, Mara realized that Lacey was not someone to be trifled with. Everything she had known about the woman had been a carefully constructed facade.

“I used to constantly wonder why, no matter how much love I poured into you, I could never seem to warm your heart,” Lacey said coldly. Her makeup was flawless, her hair pinned elegantly to one side. She crossed her arms, looking down at the pathetic mother and daughter with utter disdain.