Chapter 31

Wendy stepped in front of Natalie, her voice pleading. “Natalie, you can’t just walk away from Jennifer. She’s got a huge piano contest coming up–her hands are everything to her. Please, talk to Mrs. Spencer for her.”

Natalie’s eyes briefly reflected her pain at Wendy’s pleas. She shot back, “Wendy, I’m done. You guys never treated me like family, so why should I care about you? Remember Jennifer’s birthday? You heard her conversation with Linda, right? They’ve been plotting against me, lots of times. That fall Jennifer took down the stairs was just her ploy to get him to hit me. You hit me too, Wendy. With no cameras around, she could lie about anything. She played the victim, and everyone thought I was supposed to take the hits and the insults. Wendy, I’ll never forget the hurt and humiliation you’ve caused me.”

A tear ran down Natalie’s cheek as she added, “Jennifer has framed me so many times, and I’ll make sure to get back at her, one by one.”

Lambert held Natalie’s hand firmly, his voice strong. “Sweetheart, you’ve had enough. Let’s go. These people aren’t your problem anymore.”

Valerie gave Wendy a cold look. “You will regret losing your own daughter for the rest of your life.” With that, she followed them into the elevator, leaving Wendy’s mind racing.

Easton frowned, thinking back to when Jennifer fell down the stairs. Seeing Jennifer lying there bleeding had pushed him to lash out, leading him to slap Natalie in a moment of anger.

Natalie was more than a friend to him, yet not the one to win his heart. Without her return, he could have married Jennifer. After the accident that left him blind, he heard Jennifer had gone overseas for medical care. He kept telling himself there was no reason to blame her for that, but his heart was heavy with unease.

‘Jennifer kept pushing the limits; can I still trust her?‘ Easton’s gaze darkened with doubt.

Wendy stood in a daze for a long while before she could accept what her eyes had shown her–that Natalie was the one lying. Then she turned around and went back to defend Jennifer.

In the banquet hall, Jennifer was pleading with Murray. “Mr. Spencer, I swear I didn’t know Natalie was the one who saved your grandma. I was terrified when I got there, but I called for help for her right away.”

People knew Jennifer as a good person, and some spoke up in her defense. “Mr. Spencer, Ms. Simpson isn’t at fault. She might not have known Natalie was the savior, but she did save Mrs. Spencer. Just give her a break this time.”

Murray’s face was puffy and hurting. “Jennifer, you’re using me to get back at Natalie. Don’t pretend to be so innocent. Make your choice, broken hands or broken feet.”

Jennifer’s eyes showed fear as she realized she was caught. She clutched her skirt, her breathing quickening due to panic and anger, and her eyes showing a determination to fight back. “I didn’t do anything,” she insisted, refusing to confess her actions.

At that moment, Easton approached. At the sight of him, Jennifer’s eyes lit up with relief, confident that Easton would come through for her.

“Easton, I swear I’m innocent. Please help me. I’m terrified,” she pleaded, her voice quivering.

Easton turned to Murray with a stern expression. “Mr. Spencer, this isn’t fair to Jennifer. You can take the Skyline project, but please spare her.”