Darleen had appeared behind Brinley without a sound. A bucket lay overturned beside her, the one that had just clattered to the ground.
Brinley’s heart seized as she met Darleen’s murderous gaze. Her pupils constricted in terror.
On the phone, Harriet heard Brinley's panicked words and exploded. "You wretched girl! I don't have a daughter like you. You... you're going to be the death of us all! The Seabrook family is finished because of you! How could you..."
Harriet was so enraged she couldn't finish her sentence. Although she was a formidable businesswoman, she had always been good to her daughter. She would never scold her without reason.
But now... what was this? She had always been quite pleased with her son-in-law, Faraday Yelchin. When Faraday was alive, he had treated her well, giving her several major projects. The moment she learned Brinley was involved with Felix Fowler, she had ordered her to break it off without a second thought. She never imagined that while Brinley had agreed readily, she had continued seeing Felix behind everyone's back. They were still involved, even now!
Harriet's voice was sharp with fury. "What's so special about that Felix? To think you'd conspire with him to kill Faraday! It's not just Darleen who won't forgive you—I won't forgive you either! Go die, but don't you dare drag the Seabrook family down with you."
In that single, brutal moment, Brinley was cast aside by her own mother. Frozen with fear under Darleen’s glare and reeling from her mother’s disowning words over the phone, Brinley was consumed by a tidal wave of despair.
"You bitch, Brinley!" Darleen’s rage finally erupted. She lunged forward, clawing and hitting her, while Harriet’s furious voice continued from the phone.
Hearing Darleen’s attack, Harriet’s heart also trembled.

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