Chapter 2

I nearly burst out laughing at Hannah's ridiculous logic.

She claimed that I had been caught red-handed, but the money was still missing, which meant that she had nothing to back up her accusation that I stole it.

"Why are you only suspecting me when there are so many other people in the house?" I demanded. "Are you only harassing me because I'm alone, so nobody will stick up for me?"

If Hannah had defended me earlier, Giselle wouldn't have had the guts to drag my name through the mud with such overwhelming arrogance.

Hannah was momentarily rendered speechless by my words before she began berating me again.

"Don't try to make me the bad guy, Mom. I didn't take your side only because there's conclusive evidence, so it's pointless for you to claim that you're innocent. If I stubbornly took your side, I'd basically become an accomplice.

"How would Thomas and Giselle see me then? How will I be able to lift my head in this family ever again?

"Besides, Thomas is the one who gave the coat to you. There's no reason for him to steal his own family's money. I'm also familiar with his character, so I know that he won't do something so pointless!"

I barked out an indignant laugh and said, "You're familiar with his character? I'm your own mother! Why are you treating me like this?"

Hannah guiltily averted her gaze. After I criticized her, she finally began to share her analysis of the situation.

"Uncle Isaac is more well-off than us, so it can't be him. Aunt Patricia's children are civil workers, so their family isn't strapped for cash. Aunt Charlotte is unmarried and childless, so she doesn't need so much money."

I pursed my lips and retorted, "No one will complain about having more money."

Hannah pinned me with an accusatory gaze after she was done explaining her analysis.

"Who could it be if not you? You're the only stranger here right now. Everyone else is part of the Clifford family. There's no way that they would take Giselle's money."

I lost my temper at that moment. I twisted Hannah's ear and shouted, "Come to your senses, Hannah Westfield! Do I look like someone who desperately needs 20 thousand dollars?"

I didn't expect her to answer me immediately, screaming, "You do!"

My heart squeezed painfully. I couldn't believe that she had said such a thing.

Hannah glanced at Giselle, noticing that the latter was on the brink of losing her temper. She then turned to me and said, "I have 20 thousand dollars on me right now. I can return the money to Giselle on your behalf before the situation turns ugly. Remember to transfer the money back to me later.

"Watch for my signal later and apologize to Giselle. Then we can—"

Unable to keep my anger under control any longer, I slapped Hannah before she could finish her sentence.

Hannah's head snapped to the side. She stared at me in disbelief, asking, "Why did you slap me, Mom?"

Thomas immediately dashed over to check on Hannah. He glared at me and demanded, "Why did you hurt her, Fiona? You shouldn't resort to violence when you can just talk this out."

I pointed at Hannah. My voice was trembling when I said, "I slapped her to bring her back to her senses. Giselle's word isn't law. Why do you believe her instead of me? I'm your actual mother!"

Hannah looked incredibly upset as she gazed at me, but her words were like blades that stabbed into my heart.

"I just didn't want you to keep walking down the wrong path, Mom. That's why I came up with a plan to return the money to Giselle on your behalf. Not only did you spit in the face of my thoughtfulness, but you also raised your hand against me."

Hannah claimed that she was being unbiased by acting according to the evidence that was available. However, she refused to trust me for even a second even though there was no evidence to prove that I was the thief. On top of that, she was my own flesh and blood.

"Fine! You've made it clear that you're not going to listen to me. I'll just leave and forget that I ever had a daughter like you!"