The Slap

Mark tried to pacify Amelia and Lucia, eyeing Ashley by the side. He then waved his big hand to a servant nearby and ordered, "Call the family doctor over to check what type of drug this is" with the thought to prove Lucia innocent 

He knew that his two daughters had never gotten along. Ashley, the daughter of his first wife, was the spoiled one, while Lucia, the daughter of his second wife, was more tolerant. Only with solid evidence could they solve this conflict.

The family doctor rushed over with some of his assistants thinking it was an emergency that needed rapt attention. But on arrival he was told to certain whether the pill is aspirin or some drug gotten from the black market.

"Lucia, give me your phone, " Mark added.

"Ashley knocked it to the ground! I haven't touched it until now, Lucia cried pitifully.

Mark picked up the phone from the ground and opened the call log. It showed that a call had been made around ten minutes ago, and the time matched what Ashley had claimed.

Ashley took a sideways glance at the call log. She wanted to see how Lucia would deny the accusations laid in front of her with solid evidence. 

Mark dialed the unknown number that the call had been made to. Soon, an automated voice said, "Please press 1 for balance inquiries, and press 2 for the payment..."

Ashley's pretty face darkened. How could this be? Just now, Ashley had called someone right in front of her eyes and asked some bodyguards to come over to rape her, but she had snatched the phone away before Lucia could finish her words. Therefore, it was impossible for the call log to have been tampered with.

However, the call log clearly proved that the call had been made last to the telecommunications company.

Everyone looked at Ashley with suspicion and disappointment.

Lucia cried bitterly, as if she had suffered a great grievance. Ashley clenched her fists tightly. How could it be? Something didn't add up.

Fortunately, the family doctor could be trusted, so she turned to him and asked, "Doctor Smith, what kind of drug is it?"

"Miss Ashley, there is nothing wrong with the drug. The drug is aspirin not some black market drug, " Doctor Smith replied softly.

"But I felt strange when I took it. And Lucia even admitted that she drugged it.." Back then, Lucia had spoken in such a cold tone that the memory was clearly in Ashley's mind.

"Ashley, I told you, I've never wanted to hurt you" Lucia said still looking aggrieved, and immediately gaining sympathy from everyone who saw her.

Henry also looked at her gently to comfort her.Compared with Ashley who was poised and elegant even in this situation, Lucia looked pitiful.

Finally, an idea flashed through Ashley's mind.She suddenly understood everything! From the beginning, there had been no drug in the soup. Lucia had pretended to make that phone call. 

She had orchestrated the whole situation to trick Ashley into accusing her, so that when the truth was revealed, Ashley would be unable to defend herself, and would lose everyone's trust.

Turning around to look at her father, Ashley explained anxiously, "Dad, I know what's going on. Lucia did all this on purpose to..." Before Ashley could finish, March slapped her across the face.

Everyone was slightly shocked by the slap. The atmosphere turned awkward and uncomfortable. Before Ashley could finish, Mark slapped her across the face.

Lucia, who was standing behind Mark, raised her chin and flashed a triumphant smile at Ashley. However, Ashley was not in the mood to look Lucia. She covered her burning cheek and looked at her father in disbelief.

"Dad, you slapped me. Is it because of your shameless mistress and your illegitimate daughter that usurp my mom out of this house"

"I had always thought that you feel guilty because of what happened to my mom because I'm your daughter and your blood, the product of your loveless marriage and that's why you always treat me well"

"But no, that's not the case. You've never for once loved me because I'm my mother's daughter ans you never loved my mother. "

"You only do that just to satisfy your conscience and your selfish ego. I hope you are satisfied and now that I've exhausted all your patience for you. You're tired of me.

Ashley said at once all in a go and scoffed. The tears threatened to fall but she was determined not to cry at all. She does not want to us them the impression that they have completely humiliated her

Lucia on the other side trying to be the better one said; "Ashley, Father does not mean it. He is just tired of your tantrums and whims; and he also wants us to get along. He loves you more than he loves me, you're his first daughter, his pride"

Ashley resorted "How am I sure that I'm the eldest daughter since your mother of a mistress already said she has been with my father way before he met my mother"

"And never will I get along with you. Over my dead body" she added 

Color drained from Lucia face when she heard Ashley's statement. She hated when people point accusing fingers at her and mother concerning what happened to Ashley's mother.

It was as if she was thrown into a pool of ice water. She tried to hold Ashley's hands to stabilize herself but Ashley flung her hands away which made her staggered backwards.

If not for Henry that helped to hold her, she would have fallen to the group.

Amelia quickly rushed to her weak daughter and said to Mark look at what she did to my daughter, would you say anything

"Mom, no sister did not do anything. It was because I was balanced that why I almost fell" Lucia tried to defend Ashley 

"See you, you're always defending her but yet she did not reciprocate your love. Poor you" Amelia said to her daughter 

Mark was provoked by Ashley's actions and her words gave her another stinging slap