The commotion outside, coupled with the relentless doorbell, only intensified Katelyn’s irritation.

Reluctantly, she pulled herself out of bed, opened the door, and was immediately confronted by Sharon’s fiery gaze. Katelyn, clearly annoyed, demanded, “What on earth do you want at this hour?”

Sharon, seething, shot back, “And you dare question me?” Her teeth were clenched in anger as her hand shot up, ready to slap Katelyn across the face.

She was just inches away from landing the blow when Katelyn, with a sharp glint in her eyes, stepped back, effortlessly dodging the strike.

Sharon, having put all her strength into the swing, stumbled forward, struggling to regain her balance. “You wretch! Clear this up immediately! Tell everyone the video online is fake, and that it has nothing to do with Lise!”

Katelyn’s expression hardened, her face becoming as cold as ice.

Katelyn had anticipated Sharon’s visit, but she hadn’t expected such a bold and absurd demand the moment she arrived.

“The video speaks the truth. If Lise wants to play the role of a murderer, then she should face the full consequences under the law,” Katelyn replied coldly.

Sharon’s eyes burned with fury. “Lies! Lise is innocent and kind-hearted. She could never be as cruel as you! This is your doing, framing her!”

Innocent and cruel—two words that could not be further apart. One described Lise, and the other was meant for Sharon herself.

A cold glint appeared in Katelyn’s eyes.

Sharon’s words might have cut deep, but after coming to certain realizations the other day and letting go of certain things, not even Sharon’s harshest insults could stir a single emotion in her. “When hope is lost, there is no room for disappointment,” Katelyn thought.

With no patience left, Katelyn turned to close the door, intent on shutting Sharon out. “Take this up with the police,” she said flatly.

Sharon blocked the door, her teeth clenched as she glared at Katelyn.

“Katelyn, after everything Lise has endured, do you want to push her to the brink of death? This is your last chance to clear her name, or else don’t blame me for what happens next. I’ve given you the last bit of respect. Don’t throw it away.”

Katelyn’s eyes grew colder as she faced Sharon, her expression unyielding.

“I settled everything when I paid you back for raising me these past twenty years. What you’re doing now is harassment. I can involve the police if you want to continue.”

Sharon, desperate and determined, threatened, “If you don’t retract those lies and restore Lise’s reputation, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Whether the video online was true or not, the damage to Lise’s reputation was undeniable, and it threatened her entire future.

Sharon was determined to force Katelyn into a public apology.

But Katelyn didn’t waste any time. She pulled out her phone and dialed 911 right in front of Sharon.

“Hello? There’s a disturbance at my door. Could you send someone over right away? Yes, the address is…”

Sharon’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t anticipated that Katelyn would call 911. What she didn’t realize was that Katelyn was only bluffing.

“Are you out of your mind? You actually called the police?”

“What else should I do? Tolerate your harassment quietly?” Katelyn’s tone remained composed as she glanced at her wristwatch.

“The police will be here in about ten minutes. You might want to leave now unless you’re eager to join Lise in jail.” Though the situation was just a trending topic online for now, if it gained enough attention, the police would inevitably get involved.

At that point, it wouldn’t just be a matter of morality. It would become a legal issue.

Sharon, unwilling to back down, clenched her teeth and spat out, “Katelyn, why did I even bother raising you? If I had known you’d turn out like this, I would have beaten you to death when I had the chance. This isn’t over. Remember my words!”

With that, Sharon stormed off in a hurry.

As Katelyn turned back inside, the composed mask she had worn cracked, revealing a hint of pain in her expression. Sharon’s final words had cut deeply, like a knife twisted in her heart. Despite her indifference toward Sharon, the pain lingered.

Sharon had been her mother for over two decades, and that bond was not easily forgotten.

The contrast was jarring. Sharon, who had known Lise for less than a month, now seemed willing to harm the daughter she had raised in favor of the one she barely knew.

Katelyn shut her eyes momentarily.

Just then, her phone began to ring. Glancing at the flashing number, a flicker of recognition crossed her eyes.

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