“After all, you and Ranita are mother and daughter. Whatever you have to say must be better than what I, an outsider, can offer,” Lena said, and Alexia’s expression darkened completely.
“Lena, I really dislike you! You’ve always been like this, thinking you’re always right and others are always wrong. I raised my own child, and I believe she wouldn’t do such a thing,” Alexia said firmly. Despite her gentle nature, years of marriage and motherhood had toughened her, making her less susceptible to manipulation.
“Human emotions are complex, as your records also state. Ayaan is your daughter’s fiance’s son. They even have a child together. How do I know if it’s not your daughter who intervened in my son’s marriage?” Alexia’s tone was serious.
“Lena, one must have a conscience,” she added.
Lena thought Alexia was still the same pushover as before, but she was surprised to find her so difficult to talk to now. Perhaps it was the passage of time that had changed her.
“Alexia, I came all this way not to argue with you but to solve this problem together! My Shannon and Brendon have been childhood sweethearts, and Ranita broke them apart,” Lena accused Ranita without hesitation. “After wasting so many years, Shannon finally managed to persuade Brendon to marry her, but Ranita used her secret son to make Brendon compromise.”
“Lena, I traveled a long distance to find you, not to argue with you, but to solve our problem together! My Shannon and Brendon have been childhood sweethearts, and Ranita broke them apart,” Lena accused Ranita without hesitation. “After wasting so many years, Shannon finally managed to persuade Brendon to marry her, but Ranita used her secret son to make Brendon compromise.”
Lena’s moral coercion was indeed clever. Alexia felt a twinge of compassion.
“Lena, I can’t fully believe what you’re saying. Ranita is my daughter, and she wouldn’t do such a thing,” Alexia said firmly. “I have other matters to attend to. Please leave,” she added, dismissing Lena.
Lena left, leaving Alexia deep in thought. She dug out thick files and searched online in Benedict’s study.
Soon enough, she found results. Alexia’s heart felt like it was on a roller coaster as she read through various articles. The online fans of Shannon were attacking Ranita, and most of the posts Alexia saw were biased towards Shannon.
The more Alexia read, the colder she felt. Just then, Benedict knocked on the door and entered. “Alexia, what are you doing here? I’ve been calling you, but you didn’t respond.”
Benedict could move slowly out of bed, but his voice was weak. “What’s wrong? You look so pale.”
Lost in her thoughts, Alexia looked at Benedict dazedly. By the time she snapped out of it, Benedict had already approached the computer and looked at the screen.
“Benedict, wait, I was just…” Alexia tried to close it, but it was too late. Benedict widened his eyes and pointed at the article. “Why is this Ranita here the same name as our Ranita?”
“But how could this child destroy someone else’s relationship? It’s outrageous!”