Is this why Cameron has been acting strangely lately? Is this why I've felt he was hostile toward Rhea? I never would have thought Rhea had anything to do with Anastasia's poisoning. If what Cameron said is true, I can't imagine the consequences!

"Is that even important? Didn't Uncle Cameron already convict me?" Rhea remained nonchalant, as usual. She hadn't moved, and showed no intention of admitting fault or apologizing. Her words suggested Cameron had accused her falsely.

While Cameron was on the phone, Maria pleaded with him on the floor, to no avail. She then hugged Anastasia's leg. "Anastasia... we cared for you when you were younger, and you spent much time with Rhea then. Even though you aren't close now, you're still family. Help Rhea convince your father. Please..."

Anastasia felt conflicted seeing Maria cry and plead. She considered Fabian and Maria family; she'd never known her mother, and the couple had been close to her mother before her death. They had always treated her well.

However, the memory of Rhea's years of torment, and her current unwillingness to acknowledge her actions, infuriated Anastasia. Frowning, she began hesitantly, "Aunt Maria, you know my father. I can't easily influence his decisions..."

"You..."

A sharp slap echoed through the room, silencing everyone, including Cameron, who was mid-conversation on his phone. He stared in the direction of the sound, momentarily speechless.

Rhea cradled her cheek, stunned. The stinging pain and buzzing in her ears were evident, and her cheek soon swelled.

"You..." she mumbled, speechless for a moment as Fabian rose to rebuke her. "You piece of sh*t! What did you do to make your uncle so angry? If you did it, admit it and accept the consequences. If you didn't, apologize! You must have done something to make Uncle Cameron misunderstand you!"

"Are you crazy? How could you do that to our daughter?" Maria, heartbroken by Rhea's pain, pushed Fabian away to examine Rhea's face, her tears flowing freely. "Ree, does it hurt? Are you okay?"

Rhea's composure returned, and she smiled coldly at her enraged father. "Fabian Moore, you're amazing! You'd slap me to curry favor! But I'm not surprised. Since I was young, you've only cared about Anastasia! When did you ever care about me? I'm nothing to you!"

She stood, meeting Cameron's gaze. "Yes, it was me. I poisoned her! I hate her! I'm jealous! Why does everyone love her? I'm better than her in everything! I'm your biological daughter, but you favored her to appease him! Why? Why is it so unfair? I'm not wrong!"

Her rage erupted, years of resentment unleashed. Maria gasped, rushing to her daughter. "Ree! What nonsense are you saying? Have you lost your mind?"