“Why do I hear a tone from you that sounds like you have a grudge against your stepsister?”
“I don’t have a grudge, just speaking the truth.”
The two had only come to the restroom to touch up their makeup, and just as they were about to leave, they heard a loud bang. They turned to see the restroom stall door kicked open, and a woman with a dark expression walked out.
Thelma truly didn’t expect to hear these things from Ava. The Ava she knew had always been a pure and kind girl, someone who couldn’t even curse back when insulted in high school, often left in tears.
She really couldn’t believe these words came from Ava, and that she would speak so poorly of her. Even considering their past friendship, it seemed excessive.
When she learned from her sister that Ava and Eric had betrayed her, she was furious and had thought about confronting them, but after five years, time had passed, and it seemed pointless to pursue it further. So, they could just go their separate ways and not interfere with each other.
However, she hadn’t expected Ava to harm her like this behind her back. Perhaps because they had once been friends, this kind of harm felt even more piercing.
The girl beside Ava also hadn’t expected their gossip to be overheard, especially by the person involved, so when she saw Thelma come out, she felt a bit awkward.
Ava, however, remained quite calm. After a brief moment of surprise, she acted as if nothing had happened and said to the person beside her, “Let’s go.”
But just a few steps out, she heard Thelma call her name. Instinctively, she turned her head, only to have a stinky, wet mop come crashing toward her face. Ava had no time to dodge and was knocked back two steps.
It seemed the floor had just been mopped, and the mop was covered in some unknown foul smell, which now stuck to her face, making her feel nauseous.
Ava looked at her in disbelief, only to see Thelma standing upright in front of her, the mop held like a weapon at her side, staring at her coldly.
Thelma herself didn’t know how she had so directly swung the mop at Ava’s face. At first, she worried that her actions might be a bit excessive, but after doing it, she realized how satisfying it felt.
She had clearly wanted to keep things peaceful and remain strangers, not wanting to dwell on the past, yet Ava insisted on backstabbing her, making her feel so embarrassed. To make matters worse, she had overheard those words.
If she continued to ignore it, she felt she would surely be driven mad by her own cowardice and saintly attitude, and it would only make her angrier the more she thought about it.
But right now, for someone so heartless, who appeared kind on the surface but acted maliciously behind her back, taking direct action and giving her a good beating was indeed a good method.
Ava clearly felt insulted. Although she wasn’t exactly a hotshot in the entertainment industry, she was still a star. Even without her star status, she was the daughter of reonwed Hotel; how could she have ever been treated like this? Such an insult was unbearable.
“What are you doing? Are you crazy?” Ava gritted her teeth and shouted at her.
This was the first time Thelma had seen Ava’s face twisted in rage right in front of her. Although she was her stepsister, she seemed more like a younger sister—innocent and in need of protection.
Seeing Ava like this made Thelma feel somewhat unfamiliar. Was she always like this, or had time changed her? But none of that mattered now.
Looking at the complex expression on Thelma’s face, Ava suddenly realized that she hadn’t controlled her emotions well just now, and there were still others watching. She quickly reined in her expression, took a deep breath, and spoke in an angry yet composed tone, “After so many years, how have you become so rude and uncouth, even hitting people with a mop! Is this how your elder sister taught you?” As she spoke, she took steps toward the door, “Well, it makes sense, spending all day in the hotel with those rough people, how good could your manners be?”
Ava understood her well. Her mother and sister were the people she respected the most, and her sarcastic remarks about her sister were clearly meant to provoke her.
Thelma naturally noticed her moving toward the door, her eyes narrowing slightly as she guessed what she intended to do.
To provoke her, then take the opportunity to run out, letting more people see while Thelma was hitting her. After all, Ava was a public figure; the news of Thelma beating an artist might even make the headlines. Then Ava could play the victim, making her fans feel sorry for her and guide public opinion. Under the pressure of public opinion,
