"Shut up!" Phoebe's words were met with an indignant roar from Cole.
"Do you even realize where you are? How dare you make a scene like this!"
Phoebe dropped the hem of her dress that she was holding in her hand, straightened her posture, tilted her chin up, and gave Cole a cold and disdainful chuckle. "Making a scene? What did I do wrong?"
By this time, Grace had abandoned her conversation with a group of socialites and made her way towards them. Seeing Phoebe's defiance, she quickly stepped in front of Cole. She looked somewhat troubled, but still spoke softly and gently. "Phoebe, if you have any issues, can't we discuss them later? Do you have to air them out here, in front of all these guests? Isn't that embarrassing?"
"Is this what you call embarrassing? More than what Wendy did to the Alonso family? Besides..."
She paused and took two steps closer to Cole and the others, her beautiful face filled with defiant sarcasm. "When do you think is the right time for me to voice out? In private? Will you even listen to me then? I am afraid you might silence me permanently in that case."d2
As Phoebe's words echoed around them, the surrounding crowd erupted in low murmurs.
"What's going on? Are they gonna kill her?"
"Isn't that the Alonso family's second daughter? I never thought she'd be mistreated by her stepmother."
"Well, without her real mother around, living under her stepmother's watchful eye must be tough."
"But she's still his own flesh and blood. Shouldn't her father protect her?"
Cole was shocked beyond belief. He never expected this quiet and submissive daughter of his to had changed so much. Now, she was even bold enough to expose him in public. Anger flared in his eyes, and Grace was also also visibly shaking with rage. "Phoebe, you must speak with conscience. Have I ever laid a hand on you all these years? How could you slander me like this?"
"Phoebe, you better know your limits. I didn't call you back here to upset me. Can't we talk about whatever issues you have later?"
"No need." Phoebe immediately cut off Cole, "I know exactly why you called me back here. When the plan with Abelard failed, who have you picked for me this time?"
Struck by her words, Cole's expression showed waves of embarrassment. The whispers around him added to his humiliation.
At the corner, Chloe was enjoying the drama while savoring the pastries that Damon had passed to her. Though it felt a bit wrong, she couldn't help but enjoy the spectacle, especially seeing how Phoebe had grown more assertive. Turning to Damon, she gave him a teasing look, "Seems like sending someone to the hospital once has really emboldened her."
Chloe's words drew a small smile from the usually stoic Damon. He glanced at her, "Well, she's been through an 'attempted murder', what's left to fear?"
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