Chapter 6

"Haley, you dare say that again! Have I raised you all these years just so you could argue with me? How did I end up with such a troublemaker like you?" Joe was about to explode with anger, barely believing these words were coming from Haley's mouth.

Haley took her phone away without expression, rubbed her ears, and said, "If you're so eager to hear it, why don't you just record it? Play it every night before bed."

She behaved obediently in front of Shane out of instinctive fear. As for others, even her biological father, she could argue with them without hesitation.

In the past, she used to feel hurt and upset because of Joe's scolding, but after her mother's death, she came to terms with it.

She realized that one should never have expected what didn't belong to them, or you would only end up hurting yourself. So when she found out about James's betrayal, she didn't feel too sad. Instead, she felt relieved. At least they weren't married yet, and there was still a chance to salvage everything.

Joe's angry scolding kept coming through the earpiece, and she impatiently said, "Got it," before hanging up the phone.

She did need to go back; she hadn't settled the score with Xena yet, and this matter wasn't over. She elegantly wiped the corners of her mouth, got up, and met the bewildered gaze of the butler. Haley coughed lightly, smiled at the butler, nodded, and quickly went upstairs.

She wasn't afraid of being misunderstood; she just felt a little awkward. Although she and Shane had an agreement to get married, having lived in the aristocratic circle for more than twenty years, she knew that the wealthier the family, the more they valued their reputation. Since she intended to use Shane to get back at James and Xena, she had to play the role of Mrs. Ford well.

The butler watched her departing figure with mixed feelings. He never expected that this seemingly obedient and gentle girl would have such a tough side. However, thinking about the rumors surrounding the Carter family, the butler couldn't help but feel sorry for Haley.

Joe was originally a poor boy with nothing. Later on, he married Yvonne Ramsey, Haley's mother, and with her help, they started a company.

Yvonne was a woman with a keen business acumen, and within a few years, she had managed the company exceptionally well. The brand 'JY' even penetrated the international market, expanding from a clothing brand to various sectors including finance, real estate, and more. At its peak, the Carter family even entered the upper-class circles.

However, later on, Yvonne got cancer and faced Joe's betrayal, gradually becoming weaker and having no time or energy to manage the company anymore.

Joe took the opportunity to intervene in the company, and even inserted many of his own people, intending to take over the company. What's more, less than a month after Yvonne's death, Joe actually brought his mistress and illegitimate daughter home.

Haley's position in the Carter family became awkward. Later, rumors in the circle often circulated about Haley's fiancé, James, having ambiguous relationships with Xena, his illegitimate daughter.

Everyone was waiting for Haley to be dumped, eager to witness her downfall. She was indeed a pitiable child.

Fortunately, with her husband's protection in the future, everything would only get better.

**

Haley changed into the clothes she washed and dried the night before, greeted the butler and prepared to go out.

The butler kindly asked, "Madam, would you like the driver to take you? It's not very convenient to get a taxi around here."

This area was surrounded by a large villa district, where there were usually dedicated drivers, and it was rare to take a taxi. Moreover, the security system here was very high-level, and if one couldn't prove their identity, the security guards wouldn't let them in.

Haley thought for a moment and nodded. "Okay."

The butler immediately selected a low-key yet luxurious car from the garage and instructed the driver to safely escort Haley. Upon arriving at the Carter family, Haley got out of the car and took a deep breath.

If it weren't for something she had to take with her from home, she wouldn't set foot here again. This place was never her home, and Joe had never considered her his daughter. She could even foresee how much scolding and rebuking she would endure once she entered.

Sure enough, as soon as she stepped into the Carter family's living room, something was suddenly thrown out from inside. Her pupils contracted, instinctively she dodged to the side.

A delicate and pretty glass flew past her and landed not far behind her with a loud shattering sound, almost piercing Haley's eardrums. If Haley had been a little slower to dodge, she would probably have been hit.

Joe was furious and he put all his strength into it. If the glass landed on Haley, it would definitely leave a severe injury. Haley stood stunned for several seconds before coming to her senses, and as she turned her head, she met Joe's angry gaze.

"You have the nerve to come back? How did I raise such a wicked daughter? You even have the audacity to bully your own sister!" He seemed still enraged, his entire face as dark as coal, and his voice carried an uncontrollable anger. Accompanying his roar was a sob filled with grievances.

Haley looked over and saw her stepmother, Zoe Lewis, and stepsister, Xena, sitting on the sofa, huddled together in tears.

Their appearance seemed to suggest they had suffered a great injustice.