The tension in the hall was suffocating, thick as smoke, pressing down on everyone.
Leila could feel John's frail yet warm hand on her shoulder. The years of pent-up resentment and rage swelled up inside her, her eyes reddening as she fought back tears.
"Father!" Michael's voice was filled with anger, his words cutting through the heavy silence. "You can't do this just because of favoritism—"
"Favoritism?" Leila's laugh was bitter and cold. "Why didn't you think about favoritism when you shamelessly brought your mistress into this house? You didn't ask me a single thing about what I've been through these past three years. Instead, you believed every vile rumor. Who are you to talk about favoritism?"
Her finger shot out, pointing directly at Zoe. "A lady? Spare me. She'll never be anyth
