Chapter 26
Lying in bed, Simone spotted the eye–catching comment about her studying abroad on Twitter, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Without hesitation, she used her personal Twitter account to tag the Spence Group’s official account under the comment[@Spence Group Exile is not the same as studying abroad.]
The comment went viral within seconds, quickly rising to the top
The Spence Group’s social media team broke into a cold sweat when they saw it. Not one of them dared to respond. After a quick discussion, they decided to leave it to Samuel, the CEO, to figure out how to reply to it.
At that moment, Samuel was at the Spence residence. The moment he saw the news online, he rushed home. For years, he had believed he treated Simone with a clear conscience, but the images on Twitter hit him like a punch to the gut.
In the living room of the Spence residence, Samuel sat on the couch, his expression icy cold. The few people seated nearby were so intimidated that no one dared speak.
Stella, trembling and hesitant, finally stepped forward. She nervously fiddled with her fingers, her eyes brimming with a pitiful plea as she looked at Samuel. Dad, those videos online are fakel Someone must have edited them to frame me. You can’t believe them!”
Samuel stared at his daughter, and his mind drifted to the conversation between her and Simone in the video. It was obvious to anyone cared about him and had his best interests at heart.
who
truly
Even though Simone was just an adopted daughter, she had always defended him behind the scenes. A warmth spread through Samuel’s heart as he recalled the year he first brought the little girl into their home.
There was a time when he had a heated argument with Lloyd, his father. The old man, furious, grabbed a chair and was about to hurl it at him.
Little Simone, small and fragile like a doll, suddenly burst out like a firecracker, planting herself firmly in front of him without a second thought.
Pointing at Lloyd, she shouted fiercely. “You can’t hurt my dad!”
She was so small and fragile, yet she bravely shielded him. Even though her body trembled with fear, she didn’t budge an inch.
Samuel’s gaze hardened as it locked onto Stella, his eyes icy and sharp. “You think I’m blind and that I can’t find out whether those videos Or do you really think I’m that stupid!”
am
fake?
He had always doted on this daughter, but it was the first time he had spoken to her so harshly. Even though Stella was his own flesh and blood. disappointment surged through Samuel like a tidal wave.
“Dad, don’t be so harsh. You’re scaring Stella, Raymond said with a slight frown. He had always been close to Stella and couldn’t stand seeing her
“Enough! Keep your mouth shut, Samuel snapped.
Kaymond’s words were abruptly silenced, leaving him no choice but to swallow the rest of his argument.
Samuel’s sharp gaze landed on Stella. “If you don’t tell the truth right now, don’t bother calling me your father again!”
Hu stem lone sent shivers down Stella’s spine. She had always been terrified of her father’s wrath.
Samuel stood there, watching her cry without a word. His silence felt heavy, sinking Stella’s heart even further. She wiped her tears, her voice trembling as she managed to whisper, “Dad, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have set Simone up”
“I just… I just lost my head for a moment. I don’t like her, and I don’t want to share you with her. Stella sobbed, tears streaming down her face. But deep inside, her resentment toward Simone only grew stronger.
1 destroyed that original video! How did that wretched girl Simone get ber hands on att she wondered
you
admission
know yuurwere wrong, you must apologize to your sister in person,” Samuel said, his icy demeanor softening slightly as he heard her
Twill. I promise I apologue to her, Stella said, raising her hand as if swearing
oath
Samuel Mared at her for a long moment before finally looking away. He thought girls could be impulsive, but this was too much. All he could do now was hope that Simone would forgive Stella
After handling Stella’s muation, Samuel turned his gaze to Norah. He looked at her cokily and demanded. “Nurah, tell me. Have you been giving
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Chapter 26:
Simone her allowance all these years?”
It was the first time Samuel had truly lost his temper with his wife. For years, Norah had run the household with such precision that he trusted her completely, even entrusting her with full control of the family finances.
She was responsible for managing the children’s allowances, and Samuel had never felt the need to intervene. But he never imagined Norah would dare to withhold Simone’s allowance
“Samuel, I didn’t! You have to believe me. This is all a setup!” Norah’s face turned pale as she rushed forward to grab Samuel’s hand. Tears streamed down her face in an instant
You’re saying Simone set you up!” Samuel’s voice was cold and unyielding as he turned his gaze away, showing no trace of sympathy.
He jerked his hand away from Norah’s grasp. “Norah, are these transaction records real or fake? Do you think I’d confront you without investigating
His
piercing stare seemed to cut right through her. Before Norah could respond, he pressed further, “Answer me. Why has Simone had to fend for herself when it comes to meals all these years!!
Norah’s heart sank. She thought, That little brat actually went online to expose this? She used to endure everything silently–why air it all out now! Inwardly, Norah cursed Simone a thousand times over for ruining her carefully maintained facade.
Tell me!” Samuel’s voice grew heavier, his patience wearing thin as Norah stood there silently.
“Because because. Norah stammered, but no coherent words came out despite her efforts
“You three, did you know about this?” Samuel’s gaze shifted to Charles, Raymond, and Stella.
Although Samuel rarely came home, Charles, Raymond, and Stella were there almost every day. He thought there was no way that they could be unaware of what was happening.
Charles, as the eldest, stepped forward first “Dad, whenever you’re not around, Simone always picks on Stella. At first, Norah just scolded her a bit and made her skip meals or stand outside as punishment
“But Simone has a fiery temper. Eventually, she refused to eat at home unless you were home. Honestly. Simone is just too stubborn. You can’t blame Norah for that”
Despite knowing they had misunderstood Simone regarding Stella’s situation, Charles felt the issue of meals should be addressed separately.
Samuel’s heart sank as he listened to his eldest son Charles’s words. His voice turned cold. “And when she threw a tantrum, did it never occur to you to step in and stop her?”
Charles froze at the question. He hadn’t stopped her, not even once. Every time, he had simply scolded Simone with a stern face
The villa fell into a suffocating silence. Just then, Whitney, the maid who had always kept to herself, stepped forward. Having worked at the Spence residence for over two decades, she was one of the household’s longest–serving members.
*Mr. Samuel Spence, I can stay silent anymore,” Whitney said, her brows furrowed, her rane resolute. “Everyone in this house has always favored Stelia, Naturally, the things they say are biased toward her.
Ms. Simone
“Let me share my perspective as an old hand here. I’ve been with the Spence family for over twenty years. When you first adopted Ms. S Spence, I was the one who took care of her.
“She was always kind to us, the staff, and even showed concern for our well–being.
“Mi Simone Spence was like a little angel. Later, when you adopted Charles and Raymond, they adored her, too. The three of them were inseparable back then. Aside from you, the two boys were her favorite people in the world.
“Every time Charles and Raymond left for school, Simone would wait by the door all day. She truly cherished her family, but no matter how kind slie was, it secird like kindness only brought her heartache”
Whitney sighed regretfully and continued, “Alter Mrs. Spruce and Ms. Stella Spence moved in, it was like your eyes only saw Stella. Before long. Charles and Haymond started gravitating toward her, ton, and Sumune was left all alone
Tødten saw her playing by herself, and the smile on her face grew later with each passing day. Even when she was hurting inside, she still treated everyone with warmth and kindness, never pure lastung out at anyone.
“Mr. Samuel Sprtiče, that’s all I wanted to say. I may not know much about the Spence fanuly’s alfairs, but I watched Simone grow up. She’s one of the kindesi, sweetest girls I’ve ever known.
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Chapter 26
“Mr. Charles Spence said that Simone bullied Stella! It’s pure nonsense. And as for her having a bad temper? That’s just ridiculous.”
