Lincoln''s voice was heavy with regret and self-me as he spoke, "I''m not clueless. I know my Vivian isn''t fond of her stepmother and stepsister, and I could tell her childhood wasn''t exactly a walk in the park. But I remembered you were the one who raised Vivian, taught her to be so well-mannered and sensible, which is why I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Never in my worst nightmares did I think you could be so heartless. How could you mistreat my daughter like this?"


    "We need to sort out this matter regarding my daughter."


    Miranda turned ghostly pale, her voice trembling. "How... how do we go about that?"


    Lincoln moved closer to Miranda, his fury almost palpable. "I gave you a lot of money. Where did it all vanish to? Why did my daughter have to scrape by?"


    Miranda''s eyes darted nervously. "I''m sorry, Lincoln. My husband, once he learned about the money, forced me to give it to him to settle his gambling debts. The rest he invested in his business."


    Lincoln was boiling with anger. "My money? Why would he take it? Why did you hand it over?"


    Miranda stood there, silent and trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks.


    Greta, off to the side, waspletely floored, her jaw practically hitting the floor. She never realized that her wealthy father''s sess was built on the support money Lincoln sent for Nathalie.


    For Nathalie, Greta felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. Nathalie was truly the family''s good fortune. Greta had always looked down on her, but now she saw how wrong she had been.


    When faced with Lincoln''s usations, Miranda remained silent, looking like someone who''s lost everything but her dignity.


    "This wasn''t just pocket change. Since you didn''t use it to take care of Vivian, I won''t let this slide. I''m taking this to court."


    Miranda remainedposed; at her age, she''d longe to terms with life''s ups and downs. "If that''s what it takes to calm your anger, I''m ready to go to jail."


    Lincoln shot back, fuming, "Calm my anger? How could I ever be calm? You even took my daughter''s kidney..." His voice was raw with emotion.


    "Shouldn''t you return my daughter''s kidney too?" he demanded, eyes locked on Greta.


    Greta''s face drained of color.


    Miranda, driven by a mother''s love,t lost her cool. She begged, tears flowing freely, "Lincoln, do whatever you want with me. But Greta she''s just a kid in all this. Please spare her."  swnovel


    Lincoln was seething. "Spare her? Someone who took her sister''s kidney, showed no gratitude, and kept ruining her sister''s marriage? Her heart''s as vicious as a


    scorpion''s. Do you really expect me to let her off the hook? Should Vivian''s suffering count for nothing?"  swnovel


    Miranda pleaded, "A lot of water has gone under the bridge. The girls are at peace now. Nathalie''s found happiness after everything she''s been through. Can''t you just let it go and let them live in peace?  swnovel


    Lincolnughed bitterly, "How can you even say that with a straight face?"


    Miranda knew she had no leg to stand on and didn''t dare to argue.


    Lincoln''s voice was cold and unforgiving, "I''m not a saint. Whatever my daughter went through, your daughter deserves twice. Get out, and don''t show your face to me again."


    Miranda suddenly copsed to her knees, sobbing. "Lincoln, I was wrong. I deserve punishment, whatever it may be. But please, forgive Greta. You''re her only hope."


    Lincoln''s expression was unreadable, a mix of emotions that were hard to pin down. "I''ll make sure she finds no peace, that every day is a struggle."