Mrs. Johnson went pale as a ghost, clutching Evelyn's hand desperately. "Evelyn, after all these years of raising you, please tell Mr. Kane this has nothing to do with me!"
She suddenly remembered, "It was Mr. Smith, that Mr. Smith! He threatened us, said if we didn't bring you over, he'd bankrupt our family! Evelyn, you understand your mother, right?"
Mrs. Johnson looked at Evelyn with pleading eyes, hoping she would say something in her defense.
But unexpectedly, Evelyn just looked at her coldly, her words devoid of any emotion. "I can't! You never deserved to be my mother."
Evelyn turned on her heel, following William's lead out the door, ignoring Mrs. Johnson's cries behind her, not once looking back.
Mrs. Johnson crumpled to the floor, her face a mask of despair. After a long wh
