As Barbara's words fell, countless gazes shot towards her. The most icy and severe one came from Madam Martínez.
Barbara looked at her grandmother with a strong warning and displeasure in her eyes.
If there weren't so many people present, Barbara suspected that her grandmother would have struck her with her cane.
She swallowed her saliva and unwillingly took a step back. However, she accidentally stepped on her son, causing him to cry out in pain.
Irritated, Barbara slapped him and said, "Why are you crying? No one died in this house."
The five or six-year-old Jerry Miller cried and said sadly, "Mom is mean, Mom is a witch. I don't like Mom anymore!"
Barbara, already in a bad mood, was even more angered by her son's public mockery, making her want to slap him again. The mother and son created a chaotic scene in the living room.
Madam Martínez had a displeased expression and said calmly, "Haley, after signing the contract, come to my study with me."
Haley nodded and, after signing her name on the contract, bent down and said, "Todd, take good care of your sister. Mommy will come out soon."
Todd, acting maturely, smiled and said, "Mommy, leave Angela to me. Don't worry."
Of course, Haley trusted him. For the past year or two, Todd had been taking care of Angela ever since
he became sensible.
When they were abroad, Angela couldn't take care of Angela because she needed to make money.
Sometimes during the day when she was at work, Todd would take excellent care of Angela at home.
At the age of four, Todd had already learned how to be a good older brother.
Haley followed Madam Martínez into the study.
"Haley, these four years have been hard on you," said Madam Martínez, holding Haley's hand and sighing deeply. "Four years ago, I thought you had run away from home, but I never imagined that that bastard Mr. DeRoss would lock you up for a full eight months! Haley, after The DeRoss family announced your death, they transferred your shares, which were in your half-sister Emily's hands. But now that you're alive and back, the DeRoss family must return those shares in full!" Haley leaned against her grandmother's lap.
Her grandmother still loved her like she did when she was young. Bringing Angela back to the country was partly to let her feel more love.
Her grandmother would definitely love Angela just as much...
She said softly, "Grandma, you're eighty-three years old now. You shouldn't worry about these matters anymore. I will retrieve what belongs to me. Please rest assured, I am no longer the naive Miss DeRoss who knows nothing about the world. I will seek justice for myself and for those two innocent children who died in vain..."
In her mind, she once again saw two children lying on the floor of a warehouse, their faces pale and lifeless.
The baby is purple. Those are her two eldest sons.
They quietly died and she doesn't know where they were buried...
Tears welled up in Haley's eyes.
"Good Haley, all of that is in the past, don't cry..." Madam Martínez patted her back.
"Since you've come back, live well in the Martínez family, and treat this place as your own home..."
Haley nodded gently.
The Martínez family is in charge of the grandmother's house, and as long as the grandmother welcomes her, Haley could stay here.
Moreover, she didn't stay in the Martínez family for free; the chip she developed would elevate the Martínez family to a whole new level.
She stayed here with a clear conscience.
As they were talking, suddenly, an earth-shattering cry erupted outside.
Madam Martínez frowned, "Is Jerry crying again?"
Jerry is Barbara's son, and every time she comes back to her mother's house, she brings this son along with her.
And then creates a big mess.
Madam Martínez couldn't be bothered and continued talking with Haley.
For some reason, a bad premonition rose in Haley's heart.
She got up and walked towards the door, just as she opened it, she saw Barbara raise her hand and fiercely slap Angela.
And Angela stood there, stunned, completely unaware of the impending danger.
"Stop!"
Haley shouted sternly and quickly ran over.
Barbara squinted her eyes and slapped even harder.
She has always disliked Haley since she was a child because Haley, who is not a member of the Martínez family, enjoyed all the benefits of the Martínez family.
While she, the Miss of the Martínez family, had her spotlight stolen by Haley.
Later, when Haley had a night of passion with a stranger and became the focus of the Cuenca scandal, she was extremely delighted.
Then, Haley gave birth to an illegitimate child, set herself on fire, and committed suicide out of fear, all of these made her unable to contain her joy.
But she never thought that Haley would actually come back alive.
And as soon as she came back, she started opposing her!
Huh!
She couldn't handle Haley, but could she not handle a little illegitimate child?
Her slaps were quick and fierce, landing on Angela's face.
In the blink of an eye.
A cup of boiling hot water was thrown, splashing exactly on Barbara's chest.
She jumped up from being scalded, and that slap never touched Angela.
"Who? Who poured hot water on me?!" Barbara exclaimed angrily, and when she lowered her head, she saw Todd holding an empty cup.
She instantly forgot everything else and rushed over, grabbing Todd's collar and raising her hand, ready to slap him.
But!
Her raised hand was caught by Haley, and she felt her hand bones being crushed.
"While I'm away, you dare to bully my two children. Even after so many years, you've remained as uncultured as ever," Haley said, firmly holding Barbara's hand before forcefully letting it go.
She bent down and pulled Todd and Angela into her embrace.
Barbara was furious to the point of explosion.
She pointed at Angela and angrily said, "You've given birth to this good daughter of yours, who slapped my son in the face. Either I slap you back or you slap her yourself!"
Haley turned her head and indeed saw finger marks on Jerry's face.
But Angela would never harm anyone on her own initiative.
"Mummy, it's not Angela's fault," Todd spoke up. "It was Jerry who insulted her and even spat on her."
The little guy's voice was filled with self-blame.
Just a moment ago, Uncle Steven had called him to ask about the chips, and he left for less than five minutes. He didn't expect his sister to be bullied.
It was all his fault, and once again Mummy was worried...
Upon hearing her son's words, Haley felt a surge of anger in her heart.
There were two things she absolutely couldn't tolerate, one was someone insulting her two children, and the other was mocking Angela's illness.
And Barbara had committed both of these taboos.
A crisp sound of a slap echoed in the living room.
Haley slapped Barbara hard across the face!
Barbara widened her eyes. "You little brat, you dared to hit me. How dare you!?"
She didn't care about her image at all and rushed towards Haley, attempting to strangle her neck like a shrew.
Haley coldly evaded, and Barbara fell empty-handed, diving headfirst onto the ground, with her face hitting the floor.
Blood splattered all over her face.
Barbara had never been in such a sorry state, and she wished she could tear Haley apart.
"Barbara, your son has a foul mouth. This slap is in retaliation for your son!" Haley threw these words down from her high position and bent down to pick up Angela.
The little girl had wide eyes, fluttering her curled long eyelashes, with a face full of innocence.
The aunt from the Martínez family was so angry that her hand trembled, "Haley, you despicable scum, how dare you lay a hand on my daughter! Let me tell you, as long as I am in the Martínez family, you won't be able to stay here!"