Before my aunt’s next blow landed, Daniel seized her wrist.
“You—you dare lay a hand on her?”
“Do you even know what time it is? And you’re still fooling around at a moment like this?”
Daniel shot me a venomous glare.
He thought I’d brought his aunt here on purpose, just to catch him in the act.
“Aunt, this is my family matter. Don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”
“What did you just say?”
His aunt froze. She couldn’t believe her nephew, once so kind, would speak to her like that.
“Fine, fine—it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have meddled in someone else’s affairs.”
With that, she turned and stormed out.
I was about to follow when Daniel Carter stopped me. “Emily Carter, if it weren’t for our personal ties holding me back, I’d fight this case myself on Natalie’s behalf—and I’d crush you in court!”
I stayed quiet for a moment before asking, “Daniel, tell me—why do you treat me like your enemy now?”
He narrowed his eyes and leaned close, half his face shadowed. “Because I’ll never forget that slap.”
I nodded, nothing left to say.
Meanwhile, public opinion online was burning hotter by the day.
Fueled by the frenzy, the case went to trial within two weeks.