Their plan

Evelyn, still grappling with the emotional turmoil inflicted by Jane and Janella, hesitated before responding to her father. "I understand, Father. I just need time to process everything."

Jane, seizing the opportunity to further manipulate the situation, leaned in with fake sympathy. "Oh, Evelyn dear, we know it's a lot to take in. But think about the honor and status it would bring to our family. You'd be making a significant sacrifice for us."

Janella, with a smirk playing on her lips, added, "Exactly, Evelyn. This is your chance to prove your worth to the family. A chance you might not get again."

"But, I need to-"

Jane's eyes flashed with irritation, and she retorted, "You always have to be so difficult, don't you? This is an opportunity for you to finally contribute something worthwhile to this family."

Harold, caught in the middle, attempted to mediate, "Let's not pressure Evelyn. This is a big decision, and she deserves the time to think it through."

Jane, with a forced smile, added, "Of course, Father. We just want what's best for the family, after all."

As the tense dinner continued, Evelyn felt the eyes of Jane and Janella constantly on her, a silent reminder of the expectations they had placed upon her.

After dinner, Evelyn retreated to her room, seeking solace and a moment of respite from the suffocating atmosphere. Jane and Janella, however, lingered in the hallway, their voices lowered but still audible through the thin walls.

Jane's voice dripped with disdain as she whispered to Janella, "Can you believe her audacity? Taking time to think about it? She should be grateful for this chance we're offering her."

After dinner, Evelyn retreated to her room, seeking solace and a moment of respite from the suffocating atmosphere. Jane and Janella, however, lingered in the hallway, their voices lowered but still audible through the thin walls.

Jane's voice dripped with disdain as she whispered to Janella, "Can you believe her audacity? Taking time to think about it? She should be grateful for this chance we're offering her."

Janella chuckled, a malicious edge to her tone. "Grateful? She should be on her knees thanking us. This is the best she can hope for, given her circumstances."

She leaned against the wall as she overheard their conversation. The idea of marrying Adrian Sterling felt like a lifeline, a way to escape the daily torment inflicted upon her by Jane and Janella. A desperate hope flickered within her, imagining a future where she could break free from the chains that bound her to this suffocating existence.

The following day, as Harold went off to work, Jane and Janella descended upon Evelyn like vultures circling their prey. The air in the house felt thick with tension as they cornered her in the living room, the walls seemingly closing in on her fragile resolve.

Jane, with a predatory glint in her eyes, began the assault. "Well, Evelyn, have you made up your mind about the proposal? We wouldn't want to keep the Sterling family waiting."

Evelyn, feeling the weight of their expectations, hesitated before responding, "I... I'm still thinking, trying to understand what this means for me."

Janella, unable to contain her impatience, scoffed. "What's there to think about? It's a golden opportunity, Evelyn. You'd be a fool to let it slip away."

Jane, her voice dripping with false sweetness, added, "Think of the benefits, dear. A life of luxury, social standing, and the chance to finally be of some use to this family."

Evelyn, despite the pressure building around her, maintained a quiet strength. "This isn't just about benefits, Jane. It's about my life, my happiness. I won't rush into a decision that will shape my future without careful consideration."

Jane's laughter rang through the room, a chilling sound that echoed the mockery Evelyn had grown accustomed to. "Happiness, Evelyn? You're a means to an end. Your happiness is irrelevant compared to the prosperity you can bring to this family."

Janella chimed in, her tone cutting like a knife, "Besides, you should be grateful for this opportunity. No one else would want you, especially with that tainted history of yours."

"I'll think about it," Evelyn answered and went inside her room. 

Meanwhile, as Evelyn sought solace in her room, an ominous tension permeated the house like an impending storm. Jane and Janella, dissatisfied with Evelyn's response, exchanged knowing glances before redirecting their focus to a private conversation in the sitting room.

In the elegantly furnished sitting room, Janella approached her mother, a subtle desperation in her eyes.

"What troubles you, Janella?" Jane inquired, her voice measured, demanding an explanation.

Fidgeting with the hem of her dress, Janella hesitated before finally confessing, "Mother, I cannot marry Adrian Sterling. Our family deserves someone more affluent."

Jane raised an eyebrow, questioning Janella's unexpected reluctance. "What? Why? Why are you not interested in marrying him?"

Janella took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words. "While the Sterlings possess wealth, it's insufficient for our aspirations. Adrian doesn't align with my vision of a husband. I deserve someone wealthier, more powerful, and, well, more handsome—someone capable of elevating our family's status."

Jane smirked with pride and approval, gazing at her daughter. "Well done, my daughter. It's crucial to recognize your own value in matters of marriage. Smart decision."

"Once we send Evelyn away, she won't set foot in this house again. This house will be ours," Jane added, sharing a conspiratorial laugh with her daughter, the sound echoing through the living room.

Oblivious to the scheming occurring beyond her room, Janella nodded in agreement. "It's for the best, Mother. We cannot allow Evelyn to tarnish our family's reputation any further."

Meanwhile, as Evelyn sought refuge in her room, the tension in the house lingered like a storm on the horizon. Jane and Janella, unsatisfied with Evelyn's response, exchanged knowing glances before turning their attention to Janella's private conversation with their mother.

In the sitting room, Janella approached her mother, a hint of desperation in her eyes. Mrs. Harold, poised and composed, looked at her daughter expectantly.

"What is it, Janella?" Mrs. Harold inquired, her voice a measured tone that demanded an explanation.

Janella, fidgeting with the hem of her dress, hesitated before finally admitting, "Mother, I don't want to marry Adrian Sterling. Our family deserves more than that."

Jane raised an eyebrow, "What? Why? Why you didn't want to get married to him?"

Janella took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "The Sterlings are well-off, but their wealth is not enough. Adrian is not the kind of man I envision as my husband. I deserve someone richer, more powerful, and, well, more handsome. Someone who can elevate our family's status."

Jane smirked and looked proudly at her daughter, "Good job, my daughter. You must know your worth when it comes to man. Good decision my daughter."

"Once, we send her off and get rid of her from this house... She won't be able to step inside once again," her mother, Jane added. They both laughed together, echoed in the entire living room. 

Janella, oblivious to the emotional turmoil Evelyn experienced in her room, nodded in agreement. "It's for the best, Mother. We can't let Evelyn tarnish our family's reputation any longer."

The following day, Harold returned home, unaware of the intricate web of deceit that had entangled his daughters. The Sterling alliance hung in the balance, and the fate of each family member rested on the decisions made in the days to come.

In the evening, the family gathered once again, the facade of normalcy barely concealing the undercurrent of manipulation. Jane, with a calculating smile, directed the conversation towards Evelyn. "Have you made a decision, dear sister? The Sterling family is waiting."

Evelyn, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions, nodded with a forced composure. "I've thought about it, Father. I'll marry Adrian Sterling."