Chapter 359
Seeing what was happening, Zara quickly cut in and interrupted Hayley.
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“Since Tiana thinks I did it on purpose, why don’t we just check the cameras?” Zara said to Hayley, “That way, I can clear my
name too.”
Hayley let out a helpless sigh, glanced over at Daron, and said quietly, “Since both sides want to see the footage, then let’s check it.”
Daron nodded and glanced over at the butler.
The butler had already started preparing. Within a few minutes, he had the security team bring up the surveillance footage.
Daron took the tablet from the butler, gave the footage a quick look, and then handed it to Tiana.
“Tiana, take a look,” he said.
Seeing Daron’s calm expression, a subtle emotion flickered in Tiana’s eyes.
Tiana didn’t reach for the tablet; instead, Kathy picked it up and started watching the footage with her.
The footage showed Zara holding the cup as her wheelchair moved behind Tiana.
She wore a sweet, ingratiating smile and called out to Tiana.
Then Tiana turned. Her shoulder struck the cup.
The hot water spilled heavily onto Tiana’s body, and the room instantly erupted into chaos.
Zara looked genuinely scared, apologizing meekly, almost shrinking into herself.
Tiana took a deep breath, ready to speak up, but Kathy stopped her with a look.
Then Kathy handed the tablet back to Daron with an apologetic smile, “Daron, the footage is very clear. This was just an accident.
Tiana’s just a little too sensitive. I’ll have a word with her when we get home,” she added, trying to smooth things over.
Daron took the tablet back and declared, “Since it was an accident and no one acted intentionally, I’ll make the call. This matter ends here.”
Tiana, is there anything else you want to say?” Daron turned to Tiana and asked.
Tiana pressed her lips together. Though deeply unwilling, she could only accept it.
Hayley was clearly pleased with how things turned out. She gave Daron a gentle smile and spoke softly, “Daron, that’s enough. It was just a minor quarrel among the children. You don’t have to be so serious. Look, you’re even scaring Tiana. Why don’t you go downstairs and chat with your grandfather and the others? I’ll take care of things here.”
Daron nodded.
At that moment, the family doctor arrived upstairs. Daron’s gaze briefly landed on Zara’s hand, and he said calmly, “Have your hand treated as well.”
Zara lifted her head to look at Daron, forcing a brave little smile, but tears still clung to her lashes, making her look
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heartbreakingly vulnerable.
“It’s alright, Daron. It doesn’t hurt much. Let Tiana go first,” she whispered.
Tiana looked pissed.
‘Let me go first? Seriously?‘ Tiana couldn’t help but scoff to herself.
She was so done with Zara playing the victim and acting all sweet and helpless.
Kathy didn’t say a word, just shot her a look. Tiana bit her lip and obediently stayed silent.
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The family doctor came upstairs, applied some ointment to Tiana’s burn, and wrapped it lightly with gauze, so she wouldn’t accidentally scrape off the blistered skin.
After he was done with Tiana, the doctor turned to Zara to check her hand.
Tiana gave Zara a frosty glance, then stood up and walked out, her expression icy.
Kathy hurried after her, and it wasn’t until they reached the empty hallway that Tiana finally broke her silence.
“Mom, you don’t trust me either?” Tiana blurted out, her voice cracking with frustration.
‘I know Zara did that on purpose,‘ Tiana fumed inwardly, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Kathy looked at her and replied in a calm voice, “Of course I believe you.”
“When she was holding the cup, the rim was already tilted slightly toward you,” Kathy pointed out.
“And she controlled the height so your shoulder would hit it, making sure the water would spill toward you first. Most of it landed on you. She was only splashed a little,” Kathy continued, her tone matter–of–fact.
Tiana immediately jumped in, “Yeah, exactly! She did it on purpose! Mom, why didn’t you say that in front of Daron?”
Kathy lowered her voice, speaking evenly, “They wouldn’t admit it. They’d only say it was an accident. And Zara could always argue that her disability caused it.”
“And you? Having a physically impaired person bring you water already puts you in the wrong,” Kathy added.
Tiana bit her lip. “I didn’t mean to embarrass her! She happened to be sitting next to the water dispenser upstairs, and 1-*
Kathy calmly cut her off, “That’s exactly how crafty those two are.”
Tiana fell silent, realizing she had no way to argue herself out.
Tiana took a deep breath, her voice heavy with disappointment. “So that’s it? We’re just letting this slide?”
Kathy nodded, her answer quiet. “Yeah, that’s just the way it goes.”
“Go downstairs and apologize to Zara. Once you do, this whole thing will be over,” Kathy continued, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Tiana’s face hardened with defiance, clearly unwilling to back down.
“No. I’m not doing it,” she snapped, stubborn to the core.
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Chapter 359
Kathy gave a small, knowing smile and said softly, “You have to.”
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“Feed her ambition. Let her think this strategy works. Let her believe she can control everything effortlessly. Then she’ll reveal her hand,” Kathy said, her voice cool and calculating.
“And don’t forget, Daron’s already married. You don’t even have to do anything, just sit back and watch them get themselves into trouble,” Kathy added, a hint of satisfaction in her tone.
Tiana’s eyes lit up as she understood what Kathy was hinting at.
‘Zara is so dark–hearted, Tiana thought, her eyes narrowing with contempt.
‘If she even goes after people who aren’t even in her way, just think what she’ll do to Marina, Daron’s wife, Tiana mused, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Marina just got up and left the ancestral hall, not caring one bit about saving face for Harris. And Daron? He didn’t say a word to stop Marina, clearly showing that he was taking her side.
‘So what if Zara tries her little games on Marina? Would Daron still defend her like he did today, or would things finally blow up?‘ Tiana wondered, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.
Tiana was itching to see how the drama would unfold.
She quickly linked arms with Kathy, her mood lifting as she spoke.
“Mom, you’re amazing!” Tiana grinned, hugging Kathy’s arm, her voice bubbling with admiration.
Kathy lowered her gaze to Tiana’s hand, now wrapped in gauze, and spoke softly, “Be careful not to let it get scraped open.”
“You’re just too quick to lose your cool, but honestly, at your age, that’s totally normal,” Kathy said, her tone both caring and a little admonishing.
“There’s still a lot you need to learn about how things work here,” Kathy added, her voice calm and knowing.
Tiana nodded earnestly, taking Kathy’s words to heart.
After they headed downstairs, it didn’t take long before Zara and Hayley followed, making their way down as well.
Just like Kathy told her, Tiana waited until Zara came downstairs, then went over and apologized.
“Zara, sorry about earlier. I got way too worked up and ended up blaming you for no reason. My mom already set me straight. Really, I’m sorry about that,” Tiana said, trying her best to sound sincere,
Clearly surprised, Hayley and Zara didn’t expect Tiana to apologize,
Hayley was the one who finally spoke up, her voice gentle and soothing. “It’s okay, Tiana. Don’t let it get to you. Honestly, Zara was the one at fault. You got hurt because of her, even if it was just an accident.”
Tiana lowered her gaze to Zara’s hand, then leaned down and gently picked it up.
“Zara got hurt, too. There’s no right or wrong here, just an accident. I hope you don’t mind my attitude earlier,” Tiana said softly, trying to sound as genuine as possible.
Zara subtly withdrew her hand from Tiana’s, forcing a polite smile.
“Tiana, I’m not upset at all. I just feel guilty that you got hurt because of me,” Zara replied softly, her tone laced with
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remorse.
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Tiana gave her a generous smile. “It’s fine, really. Let’s just put it behind us.”
The two of them kept up their act, going back and forth like pros. Kathy watched from the sidelines, looking pretty pleased with how Tiana was handling things.
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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.
