Bride Behind The Mask

As Zoe was about to drag Marguerite away, Miley’s heart raced and she bolted to intercept them, “Let go of Marguerite, you witch! Lies just spill out of your mouth like water!

Marguerite’s been either at work or home all this time. When would she have had a second to chat with you?”

“Ms. Goldie, | know you’re close with Marguerite, but this ain’t the time to blindly stick up for her! Step aside, girl, don’t bring trouble on yourself!”

“Zoe! You're nothing but a two-faced snake! What'd you use to call Marguerite behind her back, huh? Trash! And now, in front of the Fitzgeralds, you suddenly remember her name is Marguerite? Hypocrites! Is there even one ounce of truth in anything you say?”

Hackett glanced at Marguerite, then at the fiercely outspoken Miley. Already not fond of either, his anger now flared up, “Miley, shut up! You’ve bamboozled my son’s mind, and | haven't even settled the score with you! And now you're going after Yuna too?”

Confronted by her future father-in-law, Miley clammed up instantly. How did he know she was Robert's girlfriend? Who spilled the beans? But right now, this wasn’t the time to dwell on that.

She wanted to be with Robert, so she didn’t dare talk back to Hackett.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Seeing the tension, Penelope stepped forward to smooth things over, “Alright, enough! Everyone stop bickering. Hackett, for heaven's sake, Miley’s just a kid. Why are you being so rough on her?”

Hackett, who was well under his wife’s thumb, took Penelope’s words seriously.

He paused, then turned his steely gaze on Zoe and barked, “Like mother, like daughter! No wonder Marguerite has no shame, she learned from the best — her mother! Get out of here with your daughter now! | don’t ever want to see you again!”

Zoe's heart leapt with joy at his words! Leave with Marguerite? She couldn’t wish for more! “Right away, sir, I'll take Marguerite and go!”

As Zoe spoke, she clutched Marguerite’s arm tightly, forcefully hurrying her out.

Miley was in a bind. She looked at Marguerite, then at Hackett. Forget the future father-in-law! Robert can clean up this mess later! With that thought, Miley immediately wrapped her arms around Marguerite’s waist, pulling her in the opposite direction, “Back off, you hag! Don’t you touch her!”

Zoe was strong, and with Ablett’s help, Miley was no match for the two of them.

Penelope felt a surge of sympathy for Marguerite and was about to intervene, but Yuna, feigning innocence, clutched her arm, and said, “Mom, don’t help Marguerite. That's just how she is! I’ve lived with her for over twenty years, I’m used to it. She’s always bullying me...”

Penelope furrowed her brow, uncertain whether to believe Yuna’s words.

As she hesitated, Miley’s voice, filled with desperation, rang out, “Robert! Mr. Winston! Where are you guys? They’re taking Marguerite away! Hurry up-” Before she could finish, a commanding voice cut through the chaos, “Everybody stop!”

Simultaneously, the double doors at the entrance swung open from both sides.

Frederick and Robert, donning crisp white lab coats, stood imposingly at the threshold.