Stella couldn’t help but find humor in Leona’s dramatics.
Her smile twisted into a sneer, laden with scorn for the warped version of the truth Leona presented.
Lucia sensed the tension in Stella and softly touched her shoulder, her voice soothing. “Don’t worry, Stella. We, the Clarks, don’t fold under threats.”
Leona, who had joined the Wheeler family following the death of Lucia’s best friend amidst whispers of her dubious ties with Darien Wheeler, Lindsay’s grandfather, had always been a thorn in Lucia’s side. Lucia’s heart had accumulated years of bitterness toward the Wheeler family over her friend’s untimely demise.
These old wounds surfaced as Lucia’s gaze inadvertently landed on Lindsay, her disapproval evident.
Leona caught this and tossed a barbed comment Lucia’s way. “Try walking a mile in our shoes. Stella stands unscathed, yet you cocoon her in protection. Meanwhile, my grandson languishes in a cell, his fate unknown. Can you not muster a shred of empathy for the Wheelers?”
A surge of anger colored Lucia’s cheeks, and just as she was about to retort, Stella interjected. She advanced toward Leona, her stare piercing as she confronted her. “Mrs. Wheeler, are you even aware of Robin’s misdeeds? And still, you dare to cast aspersions here?”
Leona dismissed the gravity of the situation with a light laugh and a dismissive wave of her hand. “Boys will be boys. He might have inadvertently offended you, Stella, but isn’t this a bit much? We’re all respectable folks here. Surely, it’s prudent to show a bit of mercy when we can.”
Stella responded with a cold, sharp laugh, her gaze icy with fury.
“Accidentally? He almost killed someone! He tampered with the chandelier, making it crash down, nearly crushing someone below. This isn’t just mischief; it’s outright malice!”
Matthew, overhearing the exchange, was visibly shocked. He had not anticipated Robin’s involvement in this incident. Meanwhile, Lindsay was consumed by anxiety, her mind racing, her palms slick with worry about how much Stella might know.
Yet, Leona appeared unruffled, her voice steady as she replied, “But no one was harmed, were they? Since it didn’t lead to any fatalities, why not let bygones be bygones? We’re all family here. There’s no need to escalate the situation.”
Lucia, already disturbed by Stella’s revelation, found Leona’s cavalier attitude unbearable. She burst out, “Family? For endangering lives, Robin ought to be behind bars, not brushed off with excuses!”
Leona, her face a mask of contained fury, turned toward Lindsay, her eyes glinting with disapproval. “Lindsay, your brother faces adversity, yet you stand idly by? Has your heritage slipped your mind after these long years nestled among the Clarks?”
At this, Betsey couldn’t hold back; her voice rose in a crescendo of despair. “Why am I cursed with such tribulations! Stella has cast Robin into prison, while Matthew has broken Lindsay. My heart aches for my children, ravaged by that venomous pair!”
Lucia shot back with fiery intensity, “Enough with your fabrications! The reality is far from your twisted tales.”
Throughout the escalating tension, Leona maintained her cool, imposing demeanor. She addressed the room with poised authority. “Now that I am here, we must strategize a way forward for Lindsay.”
Her gaze then shifted sharply to Matthew.
With a scowl, Matthew responded in frosty tones, “This is strictly a Clark family affair. We have no need to justify our actions to outsiders.” He then signaled to the butler. “See our guests out, please.”
The butler approached promptly, ready to usher the Wheeler family away.
Spurred by this dismissal, Betsey erupted. “The audacity of the Clarks knows no bounds!”
Leona, her composure as unshakeable as ever, faced Matthew and probed, saying, “Matthew, do you really plan to dismiss this matter outright?”
Matthew’s reply was terse. “It’s not a matter of dismissal. I merely refuse to drown in this endless sea of quarrels with you.”
Acknowledging his stance with a slight nod, Leona gracefully stood and prepared for her departure.