Chapter 358
Chapter 358
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Tiana was standing by the bathroom sink, running cold water over her hand, but the skin was still visibly red and blotchy.
Kathy rushed over, her brows furrowed tight as she saw the burn on Tiana’s hand.
Hayley didn’t go to Zara right away. Instead, she leaned in to check Tiana’s injury, worry written all over her face.
“How did this even happen?” Hayley asked.
Kathy didn’t say a word, but her stiff posture made it clear she didn’t want Hayley getting too close.
Sensing this, Hayley tactfully stepped aside.
Tiana was still fuming, her voice laced with irritation. “Zara came up behind me with a cup of scalding hot water. I was talking to Eric, and she suddenly called my name. When I turned around, the water splashed all over me. She totally did it on purpose!”
Anyone with half a brain would’ve held a cup that hot a little lower.
But Zara just walked right up, called her name, and when she turned, her shoulder struck the cup, sending the scalding water cascading down the back of her hand.
Hayley’s brows furrowed as she rushed to explain. “I was the one who poured that water. Zara probably didn’t realize it was so hot, so…”
Tiana didn’t even let Hayley finish, cutting her off with a cold, annoyed snap. “Come on, anyone with common sense can tell if water’s boiling hot, right?”
“It was still steaming when it hit me,” Tiana continued with a sharp tone, “and she did it deliberately!”
Tiana insisted relentlessly that Zara had done it on purpose. Hayley’s expression grew faintly humble as she tried once more to speak, but Kathy pushed her aside.
“That’s enough,” Kathy said, “Let the doctor check Tiana’s hand and put some ointment on it.”
Hayley quickly responded, “He should already be on his way. He’ll be here any moment.”
Kathy didn’t say another word, just kept running cold water over Tiana’s hand.
Tiana looked upset, her brows drawn tight in pain.
Hayley pressed her lips together, standing off to the side. She fixed Zara with a stern look and spoke in a low, serious voice.
“Zara, hurry up and apologize to Tiana,” Hayley said.
Tiana said, “It was just a cup of water. How could you even mess that up?”
Zara rolled her wheelchair closer, her eyes rimmed red and her voice small and choked with emotion “I’m sorry, Tiana I swear I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“My movements aren’t very convenient, and I was distracted. I forgot to remind you I thought that when I called your name, you’d know I was bringing water over, so… I’m sorry,” Zara continued.
She ducked her head as she spoke, avoiding Tiana’s gaze, looking like she was scared she wouldn’t be forgiven.
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Chapter 358
Her hands twisted tightly together in front of her. A small red mark was visible on her back as well.
Seeing her pitiful display, Tiana clenched her teeth.
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“And you still dare say you didn’t do it on purpose? That behavior just now was clearly intentional!” Tiana snapped.
Daron stepped out of the elevator, hearing Tiana go off with her arrogant accusations. He spoke in a low, serious voice.
You say she did it on purpose? Then show some proof. Empty accusations don’t count. There are so many people here. Who saw her intentionally pour the water on you?” Daron asked.
As he spoke, Daron glanced at the other cousins.
Everyone there was younger than him, and under his unspoken authority, none of them dared lie.
In truth, no one had seen Zara act deliberately.
Daron looked around and asked again, “Did any of you see it?”
Everyone shook their heads, looking nervous and intimidated.
Eric Zamora was a bit braver than the others, and he happened to be sitting right across from Tiana when the incident occurred.
“Zara didn’t do it on purpose. She just didn’t warn her. And the water upstairs is usually room temperature; no one expected her to bring hot water,” Eric said.
Daron frowned.
Zara quickly explained, “I didn’t even notice when they installed a water dispenser upstairs. I saw Tiana hadn’t been drinking anything, and since she’s not feeling well, I thought she might want something warm to drink.”
“Daron, please believe me. I swear I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Zara pleaded, her voice shaky.
As she spoke, Zara lifted her head to look at Daron, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.
Hayley stepped forward and explained, “Zara didn’t even pour the water. I poured it for her, thinking she’d be the one to drink it. I never expected an accident like this.”
Tiana clenched her jaw, about to speak, when Kathy stopped her with a look.
“That’s enough. Without evidence, don’t make accusations,” Kathy said firmly.
Tiana bit her lip, “But…”
She tried to say more, but Kathy gave her a look that made her fall silent.
Without any evidence, even if she made a big deal out of it, it wouldn’t change anything.
All it did was hand the Blanchard family another chance to put on their act.
Everyone saw in the ancestral hall today just how protective Daron was of Hayley.
After all, Hayley did raise him. With no solid evidence, it was only natural for Daron to take their side.
Tiana caught the look in Kathy’s eyes and had no choice but to swallow her frustration and accept the unfairness.
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10:07 am DDD
Chapter 358
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She never expected that after years of keeping her head down in the Zamora family, Zara would suddenly start striking back quietly, all while playing the innocent.
‘Maybe now that Hayley’s name had been officially added to the Zamora genealogy, Zara thought she could see herself as a true Zamora too. Ridiculous, Tiana thought.
Taking a deep breath, Tiana forced herself to calm down and continued rinsing her hand.
Daron glanced over at her and asked in a low, serious voice, “Is the injury serious?”
Tiana nodded, her head still down. “It’s burned all the way from my arm to the back of my hand.”
“I’ll probably have blisters all over by tomorrow for sure,” Tiana continued to mutter.
Daron walked over and examined her hand. The redness was alarming.
“I’ve got some burn ointment in my study. I brought it back from the Institute of Pharmacy a while ago. Take it and use it first,” Daron said.
Tiana responded softly.
Kathy, however, smiled warmly. “Thank you, Daron. That’s very thoughtful of you.”
Daron replied softly, “No need for thanks, we’re family. Even if Zara didn’t mean it, you still got hurt because of her.”
Hearing that, Tiana looked up, about to retort, but Kathy quickly tugged at her hand.
Tiana could only lower her head resentfully.
Zara definitely did it on purpose!‘ Tiana seethed to herself.
Daron caught the look on her face, then glanced over at Zara, who was sitting in her wheelchair, looking scared out of her wits. He spoke in a low, serious voice.
‘If there’s still disagreement, then we’ll check the surveillance footage. If Zara really did it on purpose, I’ll give you an explanation. But if she didn’t,” he said evenly, “then this matter ends here.”
‘And from now on, you’re not allowed to order her around like a servant,” Daron warned.
A flicker of worry passed through Hayley’s eyes as she stepped forward.
‘Daron, let’s just drop it…” Hayley said.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
