"Tell me about it," Ursula replied, oblivious to the sarcasm laced in Cherise's words.
"So, my advice is: back off. Damien and my sister have a bond that surpasses time, a connection you could never replicate. Even if you reconcile, jealousy will poison your relationship, leading to constant conflict. So, why subject yourself to such misery? Wouldn't it be easier for everyone if you just let them be?"
Unaware of the sting, Ursula pressed on, "Speaking of which, I heard that Damien never even bought you a house or a car during your time together, right? How fortunate for my sister and me! He bought her a house three years ago, and I just received a brand-new car this year!"
Ursula's gloating peaked as she declared, "I think it's pretty clear who Damien truly values, right?"
Cherise smiled back, "Confidence is certainly admirable. However, I believe you've misunderstood. Not everyone is as desperate and lacking self-respect as you and your sister."
Ursula's smug grin faltered. "… What did you say?" she demanded, her voice rising. "Say that again!"
Unfazed, Cherise maintained her gentle smile. "I believe I have made myself perfectly clear. I have no need for Damien to buy me a house or a car. If I desired such things, my parents could easily provide them, but I declined their offers."
"Everything I had before coming here, the house in Lermille, the car, I built it all myself," Cherise declared, her voice resonating with confidence. "A woman of substance doesn't rely on her parents or a man. She earns her own way, and that's where true self-respect and confidence are born."
She continued, her gaze unwavering, "Especially not from a stranger, someone whose kindness is motivated by mere gratitude."
"In my eyes," she declared, her voice now icy, "you and your sister, Rowena, are nothing more than parasites, invertebrates clinging to others for survival."
Ursula, who had been reveling in the glory of Rowena's accomplishments, bristled like a cornered animal. "You!" she spat, dropping whatever she held and lunging at Cherise. "How dare you speak of my sister and me in such a way! Even Damien wouldn't stoop so low!"
Cherise's lips curled into a mocking smirk as she effortlessly evaded Ursula's attack, "Damien, bless his sentimental heart, would never utter such harsh truths about his 'savior,'" she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "But I do."
Dodging Ursula's next wild lunge with the grace of a matador, Cherise continued, "And let's be perfectly clear, you and your sister, Rowena, are beneath my contempt. You're mere specks in my eyes, unworthy of my attention. Have I made myself sufficiently clear?"
Cherise's voice rang with authority.
"You—!"
Ursula launched a series of futile attacks, each effortlessly countered by Cherise. Frustrated and flustered, Ursula could only point childishly at Cherise's nose while spewing insults. "How dare you speak to me and my sister like that!" she raged.
"You pretend to be so high and mighty, so pure and untouched. You boast about owning your own car and house, yet here you are, living off Damien's wealth! Explain yourself!"
She pressed, "This is Damien's property. And those two country bumpkins clearly are your impoverished relatives you've dragged along, aren't they? Then, you're just another leech, using Damien's possessions to support your impoverished family!"
Cherise sneered. "Ms. Ursula, my advice for you is to spend less time throwing tantrums and more time expanding your knowledge base before you even try to bark at me."
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