It was too sudden, too unexpected.

Tears immediately filled her eyes. Anguish, anger, confusion, embarrassment surfaced at the same time.

​​

"Why? Why? She's the wrong one. You should slap her, not me!" She pointed at Nathalia while staring at Frank.

I want to strangle her to death. How wonderful the world would be if she was dead now! Ahhh, I have to kill her. She has to vanish forever!

Nathalia leaned in Spencer's arms and watched Evette indifferently.

The first game had ended, and it was clear who the winner was. It was unnecessary to continue for now.

Just leave it like this now. Nathalia thought.

The two girls were great contrasts to each other. One calm and innocent, the other furious and frightening. The judging crowd had naturally voted for the former. At the end of the day, Evette Carter is the daughter of the mistress. All she has is just a pretty face. There's nothing inside her that's beautiful. On the contrary, Nathalia Carter has dignity.

Frank wasn't happy with how the whole thing had turned, and he knew he had to change his strategy and reverse the scene.

"Evette, what you've done is extremely disappointing! And you are trying to blame your sister for it. It's..." He yelled at Evette angrily while secretively winked at her to give her a hint.

Evette was usually smart and would get the point quickly, but this time, she felt terribly hurt and wasn't thinking fast. "Dad, why, why did you hit me? You know she set me up."

"Watch your mouth and behave yourself. Apologize to your sister right now!" He demanded, disappointed at Evette. Silly girl, don't you get my point?

Anne read Frank's mind straightaway and offered support. She tapped at Evette's arm, "Evette, listen to your dad. Nathalia is your sister. You shouldn't have treated her like that. Come on, apologize to your sister."

Evette noticed that both her parents had changed their attitude and realized they were trying to convey a message, but to apologize to the person she hated the most in public wasn't at all easy for her.

"But, I..." she hesitated.

Frank gave her another hinting glance. "Apologize now!" He demanded again.

Nathalia sneered. She's your daughter, so am I, but how differently you treat us.

Spencer seemed to have read Nathalia's mind. He grabbed her hand and turned around to leave. Would you not rather be parentless than have them as your parents?

When Frank and Anne had finally persuaded Evette, they realized Spencer and Nathalia were leaving. Seeing the two holding hands, walking away, Evette was again furious with jealousy, and instantly she shouted at them, "Where are you going? Stop!"

She had totally forgotten her parent's hint or advice. Frank was rather annoyed. Doesn't she think? I've just told her to calm down. He sighed, took a deep breath, then asked calmly, "Nathalia, where are you going?"

The young couple didn't stop or turn around. Spencer replied coldly, "I'm taking her home, my home." You don't want her. I will take her.

Frank and Anne looked at each other, astonished, worried. Anne frowned. If Nathalia ends up with Spencer, how are we going to get our money... No! They can't be together! We have to separate them.

Evette clenched her fists, stomped her feet. If Anne wasn't holding her back, she would jump at Nathalia.

It's good to know that there are still people there that understand and fight for justice. There's still hope.

Just then, a palm stretched out from aside and blocked her sight. "Who are you looking at? Is he better looking than me?" Spencer said sourly, looking irritated. He looked very different from the usual cold and proud Spencer Davidson that people perceived.

Nathalia felt a sudden joy of sweetness. She covered her mouth with one hand and giggled as she held his hand with the other hand.

You are in my heart. Sweetie. I love you. You are my love.

Spencer was at first jealous. How can she stare at another guy like that? She can only look at me. However, as soon as he saw her smiley face, the feeling of jealousy melted away, and he smiled. How beautiful she looks now! That sweet smile. No more tears for her, please.

They gazed at each other, both hearts filled with love. Matt caught sight of them. He felt his heart sink a bit, and a sad smile appeared on his face.

The crowd condemned the Carters.

"You think you have money so you can do anything?"

"Shame on the Carters! Except for Nathalia Carter."

"Poor girl. What is she going to do now? Who knows what the Carter couple will do to her!"

"Are they going to kill her?" Someone gasped at the thought.

Frank, Anne, and Evette's faces turned pale with terror, then red with anger. Anne then recalled what Nathalia said earlier and realized what she was plotting. She was outraged. You little devil! You've become too smart. You've tricked us!

The crowd confirmed her realization. "We are the witnesses. If anything happens to Nathalia Carter, we know it's the Carters that do it! I will report to the police straight away!"

Anne shivered with terror. Nathalia Carter. I've underestimated you. You've planned this very well. Very well. All these years, you pretended to be obedient, and I didn't even realize anything. It's too perfect. It's frightening. Her body trembled again as she thought.

Evette was infuriated. She couldn't hold her anger anymore, and she bellowed, "You will all go to hell. All of you! How dare you go against us! We are the Carters..."

Her furious screaming was stopped by a sudden loud slap on her face. She dropped her jaw, eyes wide open, and stared at her father.

Frank was, of course, outraged, but he was after all a cunning, experienced fox. He had his way. "Nonsense, Nathalia, you are still a student. It's inappropriate that you two live together. I know I've made a big mistake, Nathalia. I'm really sorry. I promise it won't happen again. I promise I will take good care of you. Please trust me, trust dad. Ok?"

He looked apologetic, sounded genuine, and acted sincerely.

Spencer sneered. What a cunning old fox indeed!

Nathalia paused, turned around, sighed, and said quietly, and sadly, "I'm sorry, dad. I can't go back to the house anymore. I'm scared. I'm scared that one night I will go to sleep in my room and won't wake up again." She was in tears.

There was no more acting. She spoke out her fear, her real feelings. She didn't want to die again. Dying was frightening.

Tears ran down her cheeks, dropped onto the ground, and dried up in the wind. This was the last time she would cry for her father.

I will not be upset about him anymore. He doesn't worth my tears. Perhaps I will carry the sense of guilt with me, but from now on, I will live for myself, for mom.

Frank watched Nathalia's face, and he felt a sudden panic. "Nathalia..." he didn't know what to say, or he knew there was nothing more he could say to change her mind.

"Come, Nathalia, let's go home," Spencer said gently to Nathalia and glared at Frank. Don't waste more time on this asshole.

Frank stood there, frozen, lost. It was the first time he felt utterly helpless.

Anne sensed something was very wrong, and cold sweat covered her forehead. Panicking, she turned to Matt, almost begging, "Officer, aren't you going to do something about it? Spencer Davidson is taking our daughter away."

Matt was watching Spencer and Nathalia leave with a somehow heavy heart. He replied indifferently, "Nathalia Carter is an adult. She has the right to decide what to do with her own life."

No. Spencer Davidson can't take her away. I don't allow it. This will be a disaster for us. Anne told herself.

"But, but we are her parents, her legal guardians..." Anne tried again.

Matt glanced at her coldly. "If you want to GUARD her, you can sue Spencer Davidson." He emphasized the word 'guard' and made it sound more like 'control.' His tone and 'suggestion' frightened Anne.

To suit Spencer Davidson. You must be joking with me. Anne thought.

However, Evette sneered and asked naively, "Huh, what if we report to the police?"

"About what? That Spencer Davison kidnapped Nathalia Carter?" Matt mocked, annoyed.

The Carters looked at each other, desperate.

Someone shouted from the crowd, "God is watching. People are watching. You'd better be careful. You know what you have done."

Evette turned around to see Sophie, Nathalia's best friend, shouting at them. Instantly, she yelled back, "Shut up! Who do you think you are?!"

Sophie had finally seen how evil people could be. It was far more intense than what she thought. She then understood more how much Nathalia had suffered and why she had behaved the way she did.

I hope Spencer can bring her happiness. Love can bring her happiness.

Sophie looked down upon people like Evette. "I'm just saying what I think. Is that not allowed? Does that offend the Carters? What are you going to do with me? Huh. You are so cruel to your own sister. I can't imagine what you will do with strangers! You want to kill me too?"