Chapter 2

His mother and sister, along with some other family maids, rushed in to separate the two women.

After some intense struggle, they finally pried Margaret's hands away from Esther's neck.

Once Margaret's hands were finally pulled away, a loud slap connected with her cheek, sending her crashing to the ground, where she struck her head against the coffee table.

Blood streamed from her forehead as dizziness momentarily clouded her vision.

When it cleared, she was met with Alex's furious expression. Did he just hit her? Was he the reason for the blood pooling on her forehead? What had she done to warrant such a cruel reality?

"Alex... you... you slapped me?" she asked in disbelief, tears beginning to fall.

To her surprise, Alex held Esther protectively in his arms, as though he feared Margaret would attack her again while Esther coughed and took sharp breath to fill her lungs.

He paid no mind to the blood trickling down Margaret’s face. All she could see in his eyes was anger and disgust towards her.

"Mom! Bring me the divorce papers! Have her sign them and leave my house!

I don't want to ever see this wretched

cheater in my home again! She needs to leave with her illegitimate child immediately,” Alex shouted vehemently to his mother, who quickly fetched the divorce papers and forcefully placed them in front of Margaret for her to sign and leave their house.

“Sign the divorce papers and stop bothering my son. Get out of this house right now with that shameful burden you carry,” Ruth, Alex’s mother, yelled at Margaret, who sat on the floor, ghostly pale, with blood trickling down her face.

What's all this? Why is all this happening to her? Just what crime had she committed to receive such harsh and disgraceful treatment?

Margaret felt so alone and lost! No one

believed in her. What is she supposed to do?

Just then, one of the maids announced the arrival of the Michaelson family.

As Margaret heard her parents arrive, she jumped up and hurried over, hoping for some comfort. For every child, there’s a sense of safety in their parents' embrace.

Though it was actually only her mother who came, Margaret was happy nevertheless. At least, her mom will be on her side.

"Mom!" Sue cried out as she rushed to her.

However, to everyone’s shock except for Esther's, her mother slapped her before she could receive the hug she desperately

sought.

Margaret staggered back, collapsing to the floor once more. She touched her cheek in disbelief, staring at her mother in shock. Was this really her mother? The woman who had always smiled and praised her whenever Margaret brings her gifts?

Well, Margaret wasn't that much surprised. Her mother had always favored wealth over everything.

So, now that her marriage is about to end, her mother wouldn't hesitate to throw her out of her life.

She will only favor and love you if you can bring her wealth.

“You shameful daughter! I regret ever

bringing you into this world. How could you tarnish our family’s reputation that I’ve strived so hard to uphold? It’s a calamity that I gave birth to a disgrace like you!” Gloria shouted furiously at her eldest daughter, who sat on the floor with a shattered heart.

The fury and contempt in her mother's gaze shattered Margaret's heart into countless pieces.

What was happening? Why was everyone against her? What had she done to earn such cruelty?

“Mom!” Esther suddenly cried out, sprinting to her mother, who opened her arms and embraced her.

Esther wept in her mother’s hold,

lamenting how Margaret had tried to harm her earlier.

“Mom, if it weren’t for Alex and his family, my sister would’ve killed me before you got here. She said I’m the source of all her misery and wanted me dead. Mom, I'm terrified!” Esther sobbed, her fake distress palpable.

As predicted, her mother’s fury ignited again, and she stormed over to Margaret, ready to discipline her worthless daughter for bringing shame upon their family.

Margaret braced herself for the expected punishment, which shockingly never came.

She opened her eyes to understand the situation unfolding around her. As the reality sank in, tears began to stream down

her face.

Before Gloria could react to Margaret, a hand grasped hers, halting her in her tracks.

Everyone's gaze shifted towards the person restraining Gloria. They all collectively inhaled sharply. After all, who was unaware of that unpredictable person holding Gloria's hand?

Everyone's attention was drawn to the person grasping Gloria's hand, leaving them somewhat shocked.

Why was she there? How had she entered unnoticed? Did Margaret call her? The presence of this person signaled, impending chaos for everyone present.

Gloria turned to glare at the person firmly clutching her hand, and her expression immediately marred by irritation. How could someone so dirty lay their hands on her?

"Who do you think you are touching me with those filthy hands?! Let go of me right now, you little brat! The daughter of a slut dare to touch me? How repulsive!" Gloria yelled, while the 22-year-old girl beside her responded with a phony smile before forcefully releasing her grip, causing Gloria to stumble slightly.

"You...!"