The two of them obediently returned home. By the time they arrived, Iris was already asleep, leaving Wendel with no chance to talk to
The next morning, Iris was startled awake by a sharp scream.§
Still groggy, she walked into the living room, only to find Esther clutching the floral dress she had bought the day before, sobbing uncontrollably.
“My dress! There’s a huge hole in it! Someone clearly cut it with scissors! Who did this? Why would they do this to me?“}
Wendel was also jolted awake by the commotion. He rushed over to inspect the dress and saw that it indeed had a long, jagged tear -an unmistakable sign that someone had deliberately cut it.
Their adoptive parents were awakened as well. Having lived frugally all their lives, they were immediately heartbroken at the sight of the ruined dress.
Immediately, Stella erupted in anger. “Which heartless wretch dared to cut up Esther’s dress? I swear, I’ll skin them alive!“} As soon as she finished speaking, everyone’s eyes turned to Iris.
She had expected this. She knew she would be the first suspect. But she didn’t panic. Having lived through the tragic fate of her past life, she was no longer afraid of their baseless accusations.
Lifting her chin, she met their gazes without fear. “Do you have any proof?“>
“You damn girl! How dare you talk back to me?” Stella snapped.§
Ronald, a man with a hair–trigger temper, immediately grabbed her ear and snarled, “If it wasn’t you, then was it me, this old man?”
Iris‘ expression remained defiant. “You have no proof. You’re accusing me without reason!“}
At that moment, Esther dramatically threw the dress onto the floor, wailing, “I know… I shouldn’t have worn such a nice dress. But Iris, if you wanted it, you could have just asked! Why did you have to ruin it out of spite?”
That single accusation nailed Iris to the pillar of shame.”
Her hands clenched into fists, her voice hoarse as she repeated over and over, “It wasn’t me!“}
D
