I let out a coldugh. "Oh? Then please call your eyewitnesses. If you don''t have any, we''ll report this to the police and let them investigate."


    Celine''s expression changed. "Call the police? Y-You... What are you trying to do? I just want somepensation for my medical expenses!"


    "Compensation? Of course." I pulled out my phone.


    "I''ll call mywyer right now, and we''ll go over the ounts properly—including the emotional distress my mom has suffered all these years. I''ll be holding you ountable for that too!"


    Celine clearly hadn''t expected this approach and immediately panicked. "Y-You... This is extortion!"


    I had no patience for her disgusting performance anymore.


    Squatting down, I took Mom''s cold hand in mine and softly asked, "Mom, do you remember why you hit her?"


    She looked at me in confusion, her eyes full of unease. Her lips trembled slightly, but she said nothing. Instead, she just grabbed my hand tightly.


    After a long pause, she finally stammered, "S-She said something unpleasant..." "What did she say?" I guided her gently.


    Mom hesitated as if the words were difficult to speak. "S-She said... that as a maid, I was delusional... for thinking I could rise above my station..."


    My heart sank.


    Celine had the audacity to say such things to Mom? She knew full well Mom wasn''t in a good mental state, yet she deliberately provoked her!


    I shot up to my feet and red at Celine, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Celine, after all these years, that mouth of yours still has no filter, huh? You just spout whateveres to mind. Aren''t you afraid that tongue of yours will get you into trouble one day?"


    Her face turned red, then pale as she avoided my gaze. "I-I... I was just speaking the truth..."


    "Oh? Speaking the truth?" I stepped closer, my tone sharp. "So, your idea of truth is going up to someone struggling with their mental health, provoking them intoshing out, and then ying the victim to extort money?"


    The surrounding people began whispering, their gazes toward Celine shifting.


    Sensing the situation turning against her, Celine''s eyes darted around before she suddenly wailed, "Oh, why is my life so miserable? I came out of kindness to visit, and now, I''m being falsely used like this! God, open your eyes and see my suffering!"


    Her dramatic outburst attracted even more onlookers.


    I sneered,pletely unmoved. "Celine, what a waste of talent. You should''ve gone into acting. But I''d advise you to save your breath. This isn''t about who can scream the loudest."


    Just then, a heavily made-up young woman barged in, yelling at me, "Who the hell are you talking about? Your crazy mother beat my mom up, and you still think you''re in the right?"


    I recognized her instantly. It was Celine''s daughter, Yvette Lawson. Just like her mother, she had been mean and arrogant ever since we were kids.


    "My mom hit your mom? Where''s the proof?" I shot back without hesitation.


    "Proof? Look at my mom''s head! This wound is proof!" Yvette pointed at Celine''s barely noticeable injury and shrieked, "Your mother is insane! She has to pay for this!"


    "Sure." I smirked coldly.


    "Once the police arrive and conduct a proper medical examination, we''ll pay whatever amount is necessary. But while we''re at it, I''ll also be filing a im for my mom''s emotional distress over the years."


    "You... You wouldn''t dare!" Yvette, furious, jabbed a finger at me. "Don''t act like you''re any better! Your mother-"


    Before she could finish, a deep voice interrupted, "That''s enough."


    I turned my head and saw Lucas standing at the door to the hospital ward.