Chapter 217
Stella’s hand fell without hesitation.
The slap echoed sharply through the living room.
Angela’s head turned from the force, her cheek instantly blooming red. Within seconds, five distinct finger marks rose across her skin, swelling painfully under the impact.
The room went silent.
Pete froze for half a second—then broke into a furious shout.
“You bad woman! How dare you hit my mommy!”
Stella’s expression darkened at once.
“Impudent child!”
She snapped toward the maid. “Take him to his room. Lock him in. Let him reflect on how to behave!”
Her gaze swept coldly over Pete and Angela alike.
“Like mother, like son. No discipline. No manners. Exactly as expected.”
The maid moved immediately, reaching for Pete.
But—
“Who dares touch him?”
Angela’s voice cut through the room like a blade.
She stepped forward, standing directly between Pete and the maid. Her eyes were sharp, commanding.
“I am still the lady of this house,” she said coldly. “Touch my son, and I’ll make sure you’re fired today.”
The maid hesitated instantly, panic flickering in her eyes as she looked toward Stella.
Stella let out a short, contemptuous laugh.
“Lady of this house?” she repeated. “Angela, don’t flatter yourself. Take the child away.”
Angela’s gaze sharpened.
“Then I’ll call Trey. And I’ll call Father.”
That single sentence made Stella’s expression stiffen.
Arthur had already warned her.
Be patient.
Do not escalate.
Keep Trey and Angela’s situation under control.
But Angela had crossed every line today—and now she was threatening to drag both Trey and Arthur into it.
Stella’s chest rose sharply with suppressed rage.
Before she could respond—
Footsteps approached from the corridor.
“What’s going on here?”
Lauren appeared, supported gently by two servants.
Her pace was slow, but her presence immediately shifted the atmosphere.
Pete, still trembling with anger, stood rigidly in Angela’s arms, his eyes red.
Lauren looked at him calmly.
“Pete,” she said softly, “children should be polite. Greet your grandmother properly. Don’t be stubborn.”
She gestured slightly, and the servants loosened their hold, giving him space.
But Pete immediately retreated behind Angela again, refusing to acknowledge her words.
Lauren didn’t push further.
Her gaze shifted to Angela instead.
Angela’s expression softened instantly—like a mask changing in a single breath.
“Grandma,” she said with a faint, composed smile, “sorry for disturbing you.”
Her head tilted slightly, just enough to reveal the swelling on her cheek.
“It’s nothing serious. It’s just… Mom doesn’t seem to like me very much. If this continues, I may not be able to stay peacefully in this house.”
Her tone was gentle.
But the implication was sharp.
Lauren studied her for a moment, then turned her eyes to Stella.
Not surprised.
Not alarmed.
Just tired, as if she had seen this pattern too many times already.
Stella immediately stiffened.
“Mom!” she snapped. “This whole mess is because some people refuse to be reasonable. I’ve already tolerated enough!”
Her voice rose further.
“Now she’s the one who provokes everything, and I’m supposed to be the one who steps back? Even Khloe never dared to speak to me like this!”
Her breathing was uneven now, anger clearly spiraling.
“She even drags the child into it!”
Lauren sighed softly.
“And hitting her is still your responsibility,” she said simply.
Her voice was calm, almost weary.
She did not look at Stella with support.
She did not look at Angela with approval either.
Just a quiet acknowledgment of the obvious.
Stella’s expression froze.
For a moment, the room felt even colder.