Chapter 2 A Slap

Wilbur, along with Nadia and the three Morgan brothers, were utterly bewildered by the scene before them. Despite her wrists being securely tied, Maren had successfully overpowered a band of kidnappers linked to a terrorist group.

Could this be real? Was it even conceivable?

Historically, Maren had always been frail, struggling to carry even the lightest of weights. Her clumsiness had once driven their combat instructor to despair, labeling her as utterly incompetent.

Considering her meager abilities, how was she capable of defeating a group of kidnappers skilled in actual combat?

To them, the most plausible explanation was that Maren had orchestrated this entire scenario. Perhaps she had employed these so-called kidnappers to stage a dramatic rescue to capture Wilbur's attention, mirroring her previous antics. Yet, her actions had carelessly endangered Nadia.

This thought alone was enough to ignite a surge of irritation in Wilbur. Overcome with rage, he confronted Maren, his voice harsh and accusing. "So this was all an act! Maren, you arranged this kidnapping. Here I was, thinking you had finally seen the error of your ways. I was ready to let you face a bit of hardship before I intervened, but you're still playing the same old games. Do you like me that much? To the extent that you'd involve Nadia in your schemes, right in front of everyone?"

Nadia nestled closer to Wilbur, her voice dripping with fabricated shock. "Maren, do you despise me so deeply? I never aimed to rival you. If my presence is too much, I'm willing to leave. I'll even transfer all my research achievements to you if you feel I'm blocking your path."

Nadia's feigned consideration deeply moved the Morgan brothers, causing a pang of sympathy among them. Their looks towards Maren were filled with unspoken threats.

"To think we are burdened with a sister as cruel as you. How much better it would be if Nadia could truly be part of this family. Maren, you are nothing but a stain on the Morgan family's honor."

These accusations rekindled the array of indignities Maren had endured for the last two years.

Just a day following her abduction by the family's enemies, her father had hastened to introduce Nadia-the child he had concealed from them all.

Upon her comeback, Nadia had proved her skills in many fields, overshadowing Maren, who had lost all recollection of her underworld years after the reunion with family, rendering her seemingly insignificant.

The Morgan family didn't hesitate to parade Nadia at every possible occasion, even catching the eye of Wilbur, Maren's betrothed.

That was already too much to bear.

Yet, Nadia's ambition didn't stop there. She aimed to take over Maren's rightful place as the acknowledged Morgan daughter and persistently plotted against her over two grueling years, deepening the scorn Wilbur and her brothers held against her.

Nadia masterminded a dangerous scheme that nearly ended her life, only to pose as her savior in front of Wilbur and the brothers, further tarnishing her already damaged reputation.

This day, Nadia insisted on venturing out, a decision that led to their abduction.

When faced with a choice between Nadia and Maren by the kidnappers, Wilbur and the brothers unhesitatingly sided with Nadia.

Maren, the once respected Morgan girl, narrowly escaped a humiliating spectacle that would have been both pitiful and ridiculous.

Had she not recovered her memories, their scheme might have prevailed today.

However, she had remembered everything. Her four harrowing years in the criminal underworld had stripped her of any lingering affections for Wilbur, leaving her heart empty.

Throughout the last two years, for Nadia's benefit, Wilbur had shown nothing but cruelty towards her.

Reflecting on these betrayals, Maren abruptly lifted her hands and smoothly loosened the ropes that bound her. She then advanced towards Wilbur and her brothers.

"So, this is an act? I'm the disgrace?"

Her laughter was tinged with a stark cold and profound disdain.

Wilbur and the others felt a cold run down their spines at the simplicity of her tone and her laughter.

Before any of them could respond, Maren's laughter ceased, and her expression hardened. "If that's how it is, I may as well take it to the extreme!"

With that declaration, she moved swiftly and struck Wilbur across his face with a forceful slap.

The crisp smack of the slap reverberated around the room, stunning everyone into silence.