Chapter 33 The Heart Says Otherwise
Thea's wrist was caught midair, Bianca's grip like a steel trap.
"Things aren't settled yet… why the rush to raise your hand?" Her voice was low, cutting, and her fingers tightened until Thea's bones protested. "Trying to cover the crime, or eager to make my supposed slander look real?"
Thea's face blanched. She twisted, but Bianca's strength was shocking. Glenn's voice snapped across the room. "Bianca, let go of your stepmother."
Bianca released her abruptly. Thea stumbled back two steps, saved from falling only by Blair's quick hands.
Blair's tears were already flowing, her voice trembling. "Bianca, if you have a problem, take it out on me."
Bianca's laugh was sharp and humorless. She closed the distance between them, standing over Blair like a shadow. "Blair, have I not told you before—stop stirring trouble? Or do you think that with Father protecting you, I'm powerless?"
Blair's pulse jumped. She edged back. "I… I didn't…"
"Didn't?" Bianca cut her off. "Then explain why it was you who sent the message to Knox to prepare the car, using my name. Was it not because you wanted to smear me, make Terrence despise me, so you could slip into my place?"
The words hit like blows, leaving Blair's mind spinning. "You're lying… I… I was helping you," she stammered.
"Helping me?" Bianca's tone was pure mockery. Before anyone could react, her hand came up in a clean, brutal arc. The slap cracked through the room, sharp as breaking ice.
Blair's head jerked to the side, a vivid red imprint blooming across her cheek.
Silence fell.
Bianca flexed her fingers, shaking off the sting. "That's for your mouthful of lies."
She turned to Glenn, her gaze cold. "Father, you will give me an answer tonight. Or I'll have Terrence himself judge how his fiancée's father shelters a stepdaughter who tries to humiliate her."
"Bianca… you're threatening me?" Glenn's voice shook with rage.
"A reminder." Bianca's tone was unyielding. "Blair has repeatedly tried to poison my relationship with Mr. Anderson, damage my name, and today the proof is undeniable. If you still choose to protect her, don't blame me for forgetting filial ties. When Terrence learns how the Rodriguez family treats me… do you think he'll spare the Rodriguez Group?"
Thea's eyes darted between them, sensing danger. She stepped forward with a pained look, catching Bianca's hand. "Bianca, calm down. We're family. Why make it so ugly? Blair was just… confused. She truly meant well."
"Meant well?" Bianca yanked her hand free, her smile cutting. "Do you believe that yourself? If she meant well, would she stand before Terrence hinting I've been with other men? If she meant well, would she forge evidence to accuse me of running away? Your kind of 'good intentions'… they're the kind that burn you from the inside out. And I'm not paying that price."
Her eyes shifted back to Glenn. "As for Knox—your driver—he tried to frame me. You decide how to handle that."
She didn't wait for their reaction. Bianca picked up her bag and walked out without a backward glance. The air behind her was thick with Glenn's fury.
"Knox, get out! The Rodriguez family will never hire you again!" Glenn's roar followed her into the hall.
Knox's panicked voice broke through. "Ms. Ember, please! Tell him! It was you who told me to say that!"
Blair's frantic tone rose in the background.
Bianca's lips curled in a cold smile.
When she stepped into Crystal Gardens, she hadn't expected to find Terrence in the living room, seated on the sofa as if waiting. The warm gold light carved sharp lines into his face. His sunglasses lay beside him. Eyes closed, he rubbed at his brow, a faint shadow of fatigue in his posture.
Her footsteps drew his gaze. He opened his eyes, dark and steady on her. "You're back." His voice was calm, unreadable.
A flicker of warmth touched her chest. She slipped off her shoes, crossed to him, and sat close enough to loop her arm through his, resting her head on his solid shoulder.
"Yes, I'm back." Her tone softened, a hint of playful dependence in it. "Are you waiting for me?"
His body tensed almost imperceptibly, then eased. He didn't push her away. "No. I just finished work."
Liar. She smiled inwardly but let it pass.
"Something unpleasant happened at the Rodriguez Mansion tonight," she said quietly, recounting the evening's events in detail.
Terrence listened without interruption. When she finished, his voice was low. "Handled… adequately."
She knew his silence was permission. He had always been like this.
Her eyes darkened. No matter what, she would never let the tragedy of her past life repeat.
The next day.
Terrence had just returned from the company when Mira seized her moment. In full view of several maids in the living room, she approached with a half-opened package clutched in her hands.
"Mr. Anderson, Ms. Rodriguez." Mira's voice carried a deliberate edge of alarm, drawing every gaze.
"This arrived today for Ms. Rodriguez. I accidentally opened it. Inside…" Her words trailed off, eyes flicking toward Bianca.
Bianca frowned, setting down the flowers she'd been arranging. "My package?"
Terrence's gaze sharpened, sweeping over the box in Mira's hands. "Say it."
Mira flinched theatrically, her grip loosening until the contents spilled to the floor—a velvet jewelry box rolling across the polished wood, followed by an envelope.
She lunged for the envelope first. "Mr. Anderson, you should see this."
Then she turned to Bianca, accusation in her tone. "Ms. Rodriguez, if you're with Mr. Anderson, why are you still involved with another man? How could you do this to him?"
The room went still. Every pair of eyes locked on Bianca.
Terrence took the envelope. His expression hardened, the air around him dropping in temperature.
Bianca glanced at Mira's barely concealed smirk before looking at Terrence. "Mr. Anderson, may I see the letter?"
He handed it to her. She read it, her lips curling into a scornful smile.
"Ms. Rodriguez, shouldn't you explain this to Mr. Anderson?" Mira pressed, voice syrupy with false concern.
Bianca swallowed her rising anger and crossed to Mira. "Who gave you permission to open my package? Who told you you could stand here and question my integrity?"
Mira faltered under the weight of her gaze, but with Terrence present, she straightened her spine. "Ms. Rodriguez, it was an accident. And the letter clearly says it's a token of love from someone else. I was only… surprised. I thought Mr. Anderson deserved to know."