Hearing this, Joanna felt a sense of relief. After Maxwell''s release, he was even more resentful and would surely push Natalie into an abyss from which she could never escape.


    Natalie had barely been brought to the police station when Marshall and his grandmother arrived, braving the snowstorm with video evidence in hand. After giving her statement, Natalie was released.


    Mrs. Wilson''s daughter was waiting at the entrance. Seeing Natalie walk out so easily infuriated her. "Natalie, you think you''re in the clear just because you''re out? Where is my mother? You''d better tell me the truth."


    Natalie looked at the girl''s face, so much like her mother''s, and her eyes reddened with anger. She stared at her intently. "Ms. Carrington, what reason would I have to harm your mother? Because she exposed my past?"


    "I''m a victim in that, too. The things your mother exposed have nothing to do with me. Instead of suspecting me, you should be looking at your father and Sophia. After your mother exposed their affair...”


    Evelyn Carrington cut her off coldly. "Sophia has always been good to me. My mother has a short temper and was never patient with me. She was always so demanding. She wasn''t like Sophia. Sophia let me do whatever I wanted. If I wanted ice cream, she''d buy me ice cream. If I wanted to go to a club, she''d take me. When I wanted to try a cigarette, Sophia smoked one with me."


    "But my mother? All she ever did was force me to study, force me to grow up. I didn''t want any of that. My family is rich, why should I have to suffer like that?"


    "Sophia was always kind to me. Whenever my mom and I fought, she was the one whoforted me. She''d say my mom just had a princessplex and that I should just ignore her and not stoop to her level. My dad and my mom were never a good match. I''m much happier with my dad and Sophia together. At least Sophia lets me live freely."


    "My mother just pushed me to the brink," Evelyn Carrington said, her voice filled with anger and resentment.


    Natalie waspletely floored by her words.


    So, in her mind, Sophia corrupting her was for her own good.


    And her mother pushing her to be a better person was harming her? This was...


    Mrs. Spencer Sr. also looked at Evelyn with a strange expression.


    The old woman couldn''t help but offer some advice. "Ms. Carrington, your mother is the one who truly has your best interests at heart. That other woman is leading you down a bad path. There was probably a health reason your mother didn''t want you eating ice cream."


    "She didn''t want you going to clubs because that kind of nightlife can ruin your health. Your mother pushed you to study so you could grow and be a better version of yourself. Only when you are your best self can you truly love others. You''re still so young..."


    "Oh, shut up, you old hag! Who asked for your opinion?" Evelyn Carrington snapped, interrupting Mrs. Spencer Sr.


    She waved her hand dismissively and stormed off, quickly disappearing into the snowstorm.


    She hoped her mother would nevere back. That way, she, her dad, and Sophia could live together forever.


    Natalie watched Evelyn''s retreating figure and shook her head. "Grandma, don''t be upset. You can''t reason with someone who''s determined to self-destruct."


    Mrs. Spencer Sr. wasn''t angry. She smiled and patted Natalie''s hand. “Natalie, I am an old woman. Being called names doesn''t bother me. I just think it''s a shame for someone so young."


    Natalie smiled calmly. "Grandma,


    there''s nothing to feel sorry about. She chose her own path. She''s being foolish, and she won''t listen even when people try to warn her Fron


    the looks of it, Ms. Carrington is like a moth to a me."