Chapter 157

Serena was terrified by Aurora’s fierce gaze. She stumbled backward and fell onto the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face.

“Mom, she hit me!” she cried.

Seeing her beloved daughter being struck, Rebecca could barely contain her anger. “Barrett, you need to keep your wife in check!”

Barrett stood before Aurora, his face drawn with fatigue and inner turmoil. “How could you hit her? She spoke out of turn, but you could have reprimanded her instead.”

Aurora’s expression was a mix of disappointment and bitterness. “So what if I hit her? She’s been spreading lies about me! Why aren’t you criticizing her?”

“I wasn't the one who said those things! It’s what everyone else is saying! If you have the guts, go deal with them!” Serena sobbed, her eyes burning with resentment. “You’re too scared to confront outsiders, so you’re just taking your frustration out on me! Do you think you're so great for doing that?”

Aurora’s voice was sharp and unyielding.

“What others say is their