Nolan saw Charles wasn't budging and didn't dare push him any further. He was already scheming about how to handle the mess if Diana actually kicked the bucket.
Nolan clammed up, and Diana knew she couldn't count on the shaky Clara to save her.
All Diana could do now was save her own skin. She couldn't break free, but at least she could still talk.
Diana locked eyes with Charles and said, "What's the point of offing me? Nolan said it himself, there are tons of people watching you. Sure, killing me is a piece of cake, but cleaning up the mess? Not so much. Even if I'm dead, I'll still be a pain in your ass."
Charles was used to Diana being all meek and scared, so her bold stare was a shock. And her eyes were so intense, it was pissing him off.
"You think I'm scared of those people? A woman like you should've been dead ages ago," Charles shot back, not giving a damn.
Feeling Charles's grip tighten, Diana thought, 'Oh crap.'
She continued, "You think I wanted to marry you? It was Juniper! She felt bad for me and made you marry me. But what did you do? Not long after Juniper died, you wanna strangle me. Fine, after I die, I'll tell her you are a killer!"
These were Sophia's real feelings, not Diana's, 'cause Diana actually liked Charles.
But whatever, Sophia had finally come back to life. She'd be strangled again before she could get justice for Diana.
Sophia had never felt so wronged when she was alive, but thinking she could be reborn, she wondered if there'd be another shot after death.
Thinking of this, Sophia burst out laughing. In such a tense moment, her laughter was totally out of place.
Charles stopped what he was doing because of her laughter. "What the hell are you laughing at?" he asked.
Diana fired back, "What? Mad that I'm laughing when I'm about to die? Yeah, if you're pissed, then I'm happy. I'll keep laughing. Come on, go ahead, choke me. Haven't seen my mom and Juniper in ages. I'll say hi to them for you."
With that, she grabbed Charles's hand and lifted it. Her mouth curved into a bright smile, looking like she was ready to face death.
The grip on her neck got tighter, and Diana could barely keep her smile. Her vision started to blur, but Charles suddenly let her go.
"Disgusting," Charles spat.
Diana crumpled to the ground like a rag doll, losing all her previous composure. She gulped down fresh air, savoring every second of being alive.
Nolan saw Charles let go and knew Diana would make it. He also breathed a sigh of relief and handed Charles a wet wipe.
Charles took the wipe and scrubbed his hands several times.
Clara, who had been silent, finally spoke, trembling, "I'm sorry, Mr. Percy. I was too worried about Diana stealing stuff. I checked slowly, giving her a chance to stall."
Nolan chimed in, "It's my fault for not keeping an eye on Ms. Spencer's departure."
Diana coughed for a bit, then slowly got up. She looked more pitiful than Clara, who was just acting.
She stumbled, "I... I didn't steal your stuff."
Charles tossed the used wipe at her feet. "Don't you get what 'take nothing with you' means? Which of the things on you wasn't bought with my money? How dare you say that?"
Diana didn't expect Charles to be so petty, but it was true. Clara had thrown out Diana's clothes right after they got married.
The reason? Her clothes were too tacky, and Charles wouldn't like them.
But really, what Charles didn't like was Diana herself, no matter how she dressed.
Diana had no comeback and slowly started taking off her clothes. "As you wish, I'll take nothing with me."
Seeing Diana's actions, Charles looked like he'd seen something gross, quickly leaving and saying, "Nolan, toss her out. Don't let her take anything from the Percy Family, and don't make me say it again."
After Charles bailed, Clara finally had the guts to stand up and sneer, "Diana, you really have no shame. Stripping in front of everyone to try and seduce Mr. Percy? Didn't expect him to find you gross now, did you?"
Diana thought Clara must be out of her mind. Couldn't she read the room?
Diana had almost been choked to death; seducing anyone was the last thing on her mind. Clara was truly nuts.
Clara was feeling smug. For the past two years, Diana had done everything she said. She always told Diana that men liked bold and sexy women.
So Diana dressed provocatively and kept trying to catch Charles's eye.
Clara also said Diana was too skinny, and men liked women with curves. So Diana tried hard to gain weight, often eating until she felt sick, but she didn't gain much.
But now that they were divorced, Clara thought her chance had come.
Nolan turned his back and said coldly, "Ms. Spencer, don't make this harder for us."
Diana didn't stop undressing but shot Clara a contemptuous smile. It was like she was gearing up for a fight, not stripping.
Her smile was unbearable for Clara.
"What are you looking at? You really think all your efforts will make Mr. Percy like you?" Clara snapped.
Diana had already taken off her top, leaving only her underwear. Hearing Clara's words, she paused before saying, "I was foolish before, letting you play me. But do you think now that I'm divorced, you can win Charles? Clara, you're just like your mom, desperate to be a mistress."
These words cut deep. Clara raised her hand to slap Diana but was stopped by Diana.
Clara yelled, "You! Mr. Percy doesn't like you at all! Besides, you're already divorced. It's only natural for me to be with him."
"Seems like your mom always told you how glamorous it is to be Mrs. Percy, but it all depends on whether you're worthy. You, an illegitimate child, want to become Mrs. Percy? Ridiculous! Nolan, am I right?" Diana's words were sharp and piercing.
Actually, Charles was also an illegitimate child, but he was born when his father was unmarried, and his mother didn't break up any family.
Clara, overestimating herself, thought they were a good match because they were both illegitimate. But she didn't consider what the Percy Family was. Ridiculous.
Nolan didn't want to hear more of the women's bickering and said, "Ms. Spencer, hurry up."
Clara was fuming. "Don't forget you're already divorced, and Mrs. Juniper Percy is dead. Once you leave the Percy Family, no one will protect you. If you beg me now, I can ask my dad to let you come home."
Diana's whole body hurt, but she couldn't show weakness now. If Clara knew she was in pain, she'd definitely keep hurting her.
Diana stated firmly, "I have my own body. I can live just fine outside the Percy Family. But you, always feeling inferior because of your status, liked to bully me at home to satisfy your twisted mind."
She paused, cold sweat dripping from her forehead, and forced a pale, mocking smile. "After I got married, you tried to use your mom's tricks. But Charles didn't fall for it, so you targeted me, making him hate me more and more. If I die here today, you won't be blameless."
Clara angrily shook off her hand, her face full of rage after being exposed. Ignoring the people around, she slapped Diana hard, knocking her down.
She shouted, "Diana, why are you faking nobility? Idiot, just drop dead already! You're nothing without the Percy Family, yet you have the nerve to act all high and mighty?"
Diana's face burned, but Clara wasn't done. She grabbed Diana's hair.
But Diana's eyes were particularly intense, staring at Clara like she was an ant.
Clara was infuriated by Diana's stare, bellowing, "I'll show you today what happens when you mess with me!"