<b>Chapter 319</b>
Dorothy’s face stiffened<b>, </b>and <b>with </b><b>a </b>snort, she dered, “So what <b>if </b>I cut <b>it </b><b>myself</b><b>?”</b>
<b>Hearing </b>that<b>, </b><b>I </b><b>lost interest </b>in arguing further and <b>turned </b>to Susan, “Susan<b>, </b><b>can </b><b>I </b>leave <b>now</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>
<b>I </b>thought she was defending her daughter. But with everythingid bare, it was clear <b>it </b>had nothing to do <b>with </b>me.
<b>Unexpectedly</b>, Susan affectionately pinched Dorothy’s cheek. “Have you lost your mind? Sacrificing your reputation to nder <b>her</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>
Dorothy pouted, whining<b>, </b>“Mom, I’m sorry. She’s as stubborn as theye. I had no other choice but to resort <b>to </b>this:
<b>“</b><b>It’s </b>okay<b>.</b>” Susan spoke lovingly, “Go upstairs, honey. I will handle it.”
Her tone <b>was </b>gentle, devoid of any me. Probably<b>, </b>she was the most indulgent mother in the world.
Dorothy beamed <b>with </b>joy. “Mom, thank you, you’re the best!”
With that, she bounded up the stairs while Susan watched her go with a tender smile.
Once Dorothy was out of sight, Susan slowly turned her gaze to me, looking at me as if I was something filthy. “Jane, I offered you a way <b>out</b>, <b>but </b><b>you </b>refused.”
Then, she turned <b>to </b>the bodyguards and ordered, “Make her kneel outside! Bring her back to me when she’s ready <b>to </b>leave the country<b>.</b>”
Stunned, I <b>faced </b>her. “What right <b>do </b>you have to do this?<b>”</b>
“Right?” Susan scoffed, “Maybe you should ask yourself what ‘right‘ means.”All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.
My face went pale. Indeed, <b>it </b>was a foolish question.
I let the bodyguards drag me outside, where snowkesnded on me and quickly melted into water. But I refused to kneel! I clenched my teeth, struggling desperately.
Susan watched me through the patio door, looking amused. Eventually, she grew irritated, draped herself in a fur coat, and came out. with an umbre. “Useless. You can’t even handle one woman!”
The next second, she took advantage of the bodyguards restraining me and kicked the back of my knee <b>with </b>her high heel. Pain and reflex forced me to my knees!
The cold snow instantly soaked through to my kneecaps. It was cold and painful.
Looking up at Susan, I, who hadn’t cried even during my divorce, found my face wet with tears, bewildered, “Susan, where did I go wrong?”
I never fought with Dorothy. She pressed me hard, and knowing I had <i>no </i>one to <b>rely </b>on, unable to fight back, I always endured.
“If you have to ask, then you didn’t do anything wrong,” Susan looked down at me like I was an ant. “Your only mistake was being Bryant’s ex–wife. Dorothy sees you as a threat. I know, and I can tell you’re not interested inpeting with her.”
I asked, “So why…”
“Why would I treat you this way? Force you to leave?” Mentioning Dorothy, her eyes softened with motherly warmth<b>, </b>but her gaze remained cold toward me, “Because I’m her mother, the only person who will protect her unconditionally.”
What touching words. Yet my tears flowed even more fiercely.
She turned to the bodyguards, her voice cold, “Keep her here. If she gets up, you’re all fired.”
?? ?? ???
The snow fell heavier. It was so heavy that my knees froze, unable to rise even if I wanted to.
Lifting my head, I saw Dorothy standing at the second–floor window, her face alight with triumph. “Looks like you’ve lost.<b>”</b>