chapter947

Daisy's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Mr. Rivers. "Rosie was on the debate team with me today. She hates Lydia just as much as I do. If we join forces with the Gibson family, maybe-"

A sharp crack rang out. Mr. Rivers had slapped Daisy so hard she nearly lost her balance.

"You never learn," he snapped. "Stubborn to the core!"

Dad, please, stop. Hadley rushed forward, shielding Daisy with her own body, desperation in her voice as she tried to protect her daughter.

Mr. Rivers was shaking with rage, his vision swimming. "Jackson is about to get promoted. That's the only reason Rosie is acting out now. And you think the Gibson family would ever team up with us? Who do you think you are? Are you really willing to risk our whole family just to get back at Lydia?"

Daisy was so dizzy she saw sparks, pain radiating through her.

Mr. Rivers turned to Wally and Hadley, voice cold and commanding. "You two need to look into Lydia's family. Find out everything. Then take this ungrateful girl, go over there, and beg for forgiveness. I want you on your knees asking Lydia to spare the Rivers family."

While this was happening, Benjamin and Rosie were at the detention center, waiting for Mandy.

The woman who walked out barely resembled the glamorous socialite she'd once been. Her hair was cropped short. She looked thinner, her clothes plain and worn, her skin tanned as if she'd spent months working in the sun. She looked more like a tired villager than the Mandy they remembered. If it hadn't been for Jackson pulling strings, things could have been even worse for her inside.

"Mom, I'm so sorry. You've suffered so much." Rosie threw her arms around Mandy, sobbing. All the anger and resentment she felt toward Lydia burned even hotter.

Mandy was surprisingly calm. At

first, she'd hated every second in that place. Everything felt wrong and dehumanizing. But what choice did she have? She'd do anything for her daughter. And with her brother about to be prompted she could but up with a late pain Revenge could wait. She was out now, wasn't she?

She gave a soft, dry laugh.

Mandy lifted her roughened hand and gently wiped Rosie's tears away. Her voice was steady. "Rosie, look at me I'm fine aren't 12 Remember crying never solves anything. If you really want to win, you have to make the people who hurt us wish they'd never crossed us."

Rosie sniffled, forcing herself to stop crying, and nodded hard. "I understand, Mom. But I feel so useless. I couldn't even beat Lydia in the competition today."

Mandy let out a short, contemptuous laugh. So what? Let her enjoy her little victories. Your uncle's getting promoted tomorrow. Even if she has the Norwood family and Connor on her side, we'll still find a way to ruin her."

Benjamin put a hand on Rosie's shoulder, his voice full of comfort and promise. That's right, Rosie. From now on, we won't have to bow to anyone in the Capital Especially, not Connor. He's nothing. Your uncle's first move will be to put him in his place."

Rosie started crying again, tears pouring down her face. No one knew how hard this past month had been for her. It was the lowest point in her life. But now it was finally

over.

Lydia, your time is up!

Word of Mandy's release reached Lydia and Connor almost immediately.

That night, Mr. Jefferson called Lydia home for dinner. When he heard the news, he looked at Lydia and Connor, his expression serious. Jackson is getting promoted to general tomorrow. He and the Gibson family both hold grudges. Connor, you need to protect Lydia."