Chapter 5

Dean's hand was in mid-air and trembling slightly.

Eliana took two steps back in disbelief. "Dean, you slapped me for that woman?"

Since Eliana was born, she had always been cherished and pampered. So she had never suffered such indignity.

Dean shook his head fiercely and was about to grasp her hand to explain.

But Erin was quicker. She pulled Eliana's hand and whispered in her ear, "Do you still think he loves you?"

Then Erin gave a malicious smile. "Did you enjoy getting caught in the act in the stairwell last night? Not just last night. I wear your pajamas and make love to him in your bed every night."

Eliana trembled with anger.

She stepped back before grabbing the ashtray beside her and smashing it against Erin's head.

Blood slowly seeped from Erin's forehead as she slumped into Dean's arms, clutching her wound.

Amy appeared out of nowhere and furiously threw her toy at Eliana's leg. "You bad woman. I'll teach you for bullying my mom."

Eliana accidentally tugged at her wound and stepped back.

Then she collided with the wine cabinet behind her. Several bottles of red wine crashed down.

She raised a hand to shield herself, but Dean collided with her shoulder at that moment.

Eliana lost her balance and fell to the floor.

Broken glass pierced her palms and caused her to grimace in pain as blood spread down her arm.

Eliana had never found herself in such a mess.

Dean ignored her and carried Erin and was about to head to the hospital.

But Erin stubbornly shook her head and struggled out of his embrace.

Then, before anyone could react, she got down on her knees.

Sharp glass pierced her delicate skin, but she seemed oblivious to the pain. "Miss Spencer, I know you've held a grudge against me for ruining your long-planned wedding, so you want to get back at me. You shredded my wedding dress, but I don't blame you. You wrote curses in red ink on the walls of my bedroom, but I don't blame you either. But please spare Amy. She's only three years old. She just tried to protect her mother. She did nothing wrong. You can ruin my wedding, but Amy is my line. You can't harm her."

Dean turned his head and found a shredded wedding dress in a box in the living room.

It was the one he and Erin had picked out together at the bridal shop.

He couldn't believe that Eliana could do such a thing. She was always gentle and understanding.

Dean suppressed his anger and went to Erin's bedroom. He tore down all the decorative paintings.

The walls were covered in malicious curses written in red ink.

When Eliana had told Dean that she was helping to tidy up Erin's room, he had praised her for being considerate.

Yet he never imagined she would stoop so low.

Eliana's head was still spinning from the blow against the wine rack.

She was dazed and disoriented.

Erin, meanwhile, stood in front of Eliana.

Erin pulled up Amy's sleeves and revealed bruises, which shocked everyone.

Dean's eyes blazed with anger as he crouched down to ask Amy, "What's wrong? Who hurt your arm like this?"

His harsh tone frightened Amy into tears. "Mommy told me not to tell you..."

Dean softened and pulled her into his arms. "Amy, sweetie, tell Daddy who hurt you?"

Amy cried even harder while shouting through her tears, "Daddy, don't ask. Mommy didn't let me tell you, but that bad woman bullied me."

Dean looked at Eliana and wanted to tear her into pieces.

Eliana finally regained her senses and vehemently denied it. "I never touched her!"

Dean's face darkened. "She's just a three-year-old girl. Could she really make this up?"

Amy dared to push Eliana from the second floor. Eliana certainly believed Amy could lie.

But Dean would never believe it. "She doesn't lie at such a young age, but they can talk nonsense. I swear if I ever laid a finger on her, may I never find rest." Eliana argued. "Erin, stop using your daughter to frame me. I won't be accused of something I didn't do."

Erin's eyes were red with tears. "Miss Spencer, I didn't mean to blame you. I'm gravely ill, and Amy will have to rely on you and Dean in the future. If you need to vent your anger, blame me. But please show some mercy... she's so young."

Dean's face was now a stormy shade of gray.

Eliana wanted to defend herself, but he cut her off coldly. He said to the guards outside the door, "Miss Spencer is malicious and unrepentant. Take her away for rehabilitation."