Chapter 7

Zoe wiped her tears as she lamented, "Haley, I know you've never liked me as your stepmother, but Xena is innocent. How could you be so heartless?"

"Did she tell you I bullied her?" Haley suddenly chuckled, though the smile didn't reach her eyes; instead, they were icy cold.

Meeting Haley's gaze, Xena suddenly shivered, her eyes flickering with guilt. But when she remembered James's assurance from last night, promising to break off the engagement with Haley, her sense of guilt completely vanished.

James loved her. It was Haley's own fault for not being able to win a man's affection. Haley couldn’t blame her!

Seeing her brazen demeanor, Joe grew angry. "Who else but you? Xena is gentle and kind, unlike you, who is jealous and malicious."

Haley seemed to find the situation ludicrous and actually laughed. She looked at Xena coldly. "Gentle and kind? Indeed, very kind, to take care of my fiancé in her bed."

She didn't bother arguing further with them, instead pulling out her phone and playing a recording. The sultry moans of a woman mingled with the heavy breaths of a man emanated from the speaker.

Joe stood dumbfounded, his whole being frozen in shock. The voices in the video were all too familiar to him.

One was his beloved daughter, Xena, and the other was Haley's fiancé, James. He had always believed the rumors were false because he firmly believed that the gentle and kind Xena would never try to steal her sister's man. However, he couldn't deny the truth.

He looked at Xena, hoping for her to deny it, but all he saw was her guilty expression as she lowered her head. Now, what was there left for him to misunderstand?

He trembled with anger, clutching at his slightly stinging chest, and sternly questioned Xena, "Is this true? Did you really do such a thing?"

Xena's face turned pale, she shook her head frantically, and grabbed Joe's sleeve, acting coquettishly, "Dad, listen to me explain. Things aren't like that."

Joe's face turned livid, displeased as he said, "But he's your sister's fiancé. Why would you do something like this?"

Why?

Of course, it was to completely ruin Haley!

As long as that old hag from the Ford family was still alive, James wouldn't successfully break off the engagement.

Xena absolutely wouldn't allow Haley to marry into the top-tier Ford family and become the esteemed Mrs. Ford while she was forever burdened with the title of the illegitimate daughter!

So, she didn't hesitate to seduce James at any cost, behaving lovingly towards him while in the presence of Haley, all to make her realize the reality and voluntarily break off the engagement.

Although she was now caught red-handed by Haley, she didn't regret it at all. As long as she could trample Haley underfoot, she was willing to pay any price.

From childhood to adulthood, Haley overshadowed her in every aspect. Whether it was in terms of background, appearance, academics, or social connections, wherever Haley was, her radiance would always be completely overshadowed.

She refused to accept it!

Xena's eyes were full of resentment, like a venomous snake hiding in the grass, spitting poison at its prey. Sinister and dangerous.

She stood up and rushed over to snatch Haley's phone. "Haley, turn off the recording for me! James and I are truly in love. If you're sensible, you should take the initiative to step back. It's better for everyone!"

Haley quickly stepped back two steps, avoiding her hand. Hearing her words, she couldn't help but sneer. "If you're a third wheel, you're a third wheel. Why bother with all the excuses?"

Regardless of whom James truly loved, nominally, she was the only fiancée. James knew very well that she despised betrayal because of her mother, yet he still got involved with Xena, which was even more nauseating.

Upon hearing this, Zoe exploded, as if her deepest pain had been pricked. "Who are you calling a third wheel?"

She gritted her teeth and raised her arm to slap Haley. But her hand fell in midair, firmly grasped by a fair and delicate hand.

Then, with a crisp sound, the clear slap echoed, and Zoe's cheek stung with a fiery pain.

She was stunned by Haley's action, covering her face in disbelief. "You hit me? How dare you hit me?"

Haley's lips curled slightly as she pulled out a tissue from her shoulder bag and wiped her hands leisurely.

After finishing, she said lightly, "Zoe, I just made a passing remark. Why feel so guilty? Besides, you were the one who struck first. You can't blame me for your slow reaction."

"You!" Zoe gritted her teeth, her eyes almost bursting with suppressed anger.