Chapter 9 - The Family War
The moment Truett’s car vanished down the gravel road, the fragile illusion of the Kinnard household shattered into a million pieces. Eleanor turned around, her face purple with unbridled rage, her eyes wild as she hunted for a target to vent her humiliation.
"Where is she?!" Eleanor shrieked, storming back toward the mansion. "Where is that wretched, good-for-nothing girl?!"
Vada had just stepped out of the west wing hallway when Eleanor lunged toward her, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her violently.
"What did you do?!" Eleanor screamed, spittle flying from her lips. "What did you say to Mr. Barlow?! He rejected my daughters because of you! You poisoned his mind against us!"
"I didn't say a word to drive him away, Mother," Vada replied coldly, prying Eleanor’s hands off her shoulders with a strength that caught her mother completely off guard. "He saw through your lies all on his own. He saw a family of frauds living on borrowed time and stolen money."
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"How dare you!" Megan shrieked, joining the circle alongside Chloe and Brittany, who were now crying tears of furious embarrassment. "You're just a bitter, ugly servant who couldn't stand seeing us succeed!"
"If being successful means selling your soul to trap a man who despises dishonesty, then keep your success," Vada said, her voice ringing clear and strong through the marble foyer. "I am done hiding in the shadows. I am done covering up your crimes."
