"I agree. Everyone in Oceaton knows Mr. Fullbuster and Zacharias don''t get along. Anyone thinking of cooperating with uderias Tech has to think twice. If the


    Fullbuster family retaliates, it''ll be a huge loss."


    "Huh? Where''s Lenora? Did she slip away knowing we disdain her?"


    "If she ran, maybe she would understand her shame. If she''s sentencedter, her disgrace could affect us too. She''s ruthless-no wonder she did such terrible


    things!"


    Hearing the cruel mockery, Lenora couldn''t bring herself to go inside. Overwhelmed, she cried all the way home.


    Melody tried tofort her, but in the same situation, she felt powerless herself. She could only say, "Lenora, hold on a little longer. Your brother won''t abandon us. He''ll find a betterwyer and protect us. Ignore what they say.


    "They''re just jealous of your brother, who umted in a few years what others never could. Their harsh words don''t matter."


    Doesn''t matter? Lenora thought, feeling suffocated. She remembered Anneliese from the past. Wherever Anneliese went, she faced mockery and scorn. She was never as good as Selina, and her personal life was always under scrutiny.


    People said marrying Zacharias made her seem more human, but being childless meant they''d eventually cast her out.


    Lenora sometimes knew Anneliese was nearby and would provoke others into speaking ill of her.


    Each time, Anneliese stood up to them-sometimes she won, and sometimes their mockery grew. Even when she won, she rarely seemed happy.


    Back then, Lenora, watching coldly, felt satisfaction. Now, she was the one being humiliated, and the pain was unbearable.


    Lenora had relied on sleeping pills and antidepressants. Watching Anneliese endure hardship made her strangely envious.


    Just then, bang-the door was kicked open with force.


    "Zach, what are you doing! You scared me!" Lenora screamed and dove into Melody''s arms.


    Zacharias dark expression unsettled


    her. Once her brother had protected and loved d her but now, after all


    Anneliese had done, he only got them bailed out and found a


    Zacharias ignored Lenora entirely. He yanked her from her mother''s arms and said coldly, "Get out! I need to speak with Mom!"


    Lenora rubbed her arm, staggered, and said, "Zach, you hurt me! What are you talking to Mom about? This is my room how can there be anything I shouldn''t hear?"


    Zacharias'' eyes turned sharp. "Out! Don''t make me say it a third time!"


    Frightened by his rage, she ran out, forgetting to close the door, her footsteps thudding down the stairs.


    "Zacharias, why are you so harsh with your sister? She''s already upset what if something happens?"


    Melody got up, worried, but Zacharias blocked her, demanding, I need to ask you something!"


    She looked puzzled-then noticed his bruised face. "Zacharias, your face..."


    He cut her off, asking directly, "Mom, tell me honestly-did you have anything to do with Anneliese''s foster mother''s death?"


    Melody hadn''t expected him to bring it up. She froze, then instinctively shook her head. "Zacharias, what nonsense are you talking about? Her foster mother died so many years ago I''ve nearly forgotten her How


    could I possibly be involved?"


    Though she spoke calmly and convincingly, he noticed the flicker of guilt and


    evasion in her eyes.