The Forgotten Girl Is Back For Revenge

Chapter 86

Chapter 86

The sound of muffled cries filled the air as Rose struggled against the grip tightening around her neck. His face

flushed red. desperate for air.

Then, just like that, Aiden let go. Aiden didn’t look flustered. He simply straightened his sleeves, his expression

calin, almost detached

Squatting down to her level, he said. “You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t just say whatever you want.

Rose, didn’t you ctofor money back then? Even if we divorce, you'll still walk away with plenty. Learn to

be satisfied.”

Rose coughed hard, her throat raw. Her eyes were red as she stared at the floor, refusing to meet his gaze.

For a long time, neither of them spoke. Then, she took a shaky breath, forced a bright smile, and looked up

“Aiden, | was wrong. | wasn’t thinking straight. But | swear, | didn’t get close to you for money, | really liked you”

Aiden let out a cold snort, completely unimpressed. He didn’t even bother calling out her lousy acting Without

another word, he turned and walked out.

Rose's quiet pleas followed him, but as soon as the door shut, her expression hardened. The pitiful look vanished

inan

instant.

She wiped her tears away, her fingers curling into fists as she glared at the door.

Outside, Aiden barely had tto collect himself before bumping into Hailey.

She was holding a cup of fruit juice, her smile bright and innocent. “Dad, why do you look so flustered?”

Aiden’s stiff smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Flustered? I'm not.”

Hailey lifted a brow, clearly not buying it.

“Um, Hailey, are you really going through with the lawsuit against Selena?” Aiden hesitated, voice a little softer.

“She messed up, yeah, but she’s still your sister. Can't you just let it go?”

Before he could say anything else, another voice cut in. “No need to sue.”

Aiden turned to see Owen standing there, holding a bag of snacks, probably for Hailey.

His expression was calm, but his eyes were dark and unreadable. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.

“Then we'll settle this privately,” Owen said, his voice flat.

If Hailey had said that, Aiden might not have thought much of it. But coming from Owen, that was a different

story.

Aiden stiffened.

People on the outside might not know, but anyone in their circle understood, Owen wasn’t someone to mess

with. If he wanted someone gone, they wouldn't just disappear. They would vanish without a trace.

And no one, except Owen himself, really knew how deep the Calhoun Group's power ran or just how many

industries it

controlled.

Aiden only knew one thing for sure, the Calhoun Group was filthy rich. But money wasn’t the scariest part.

If Owen handled this matter privately, Selena might not make it out in one piece.

“No... No,” Aiden stammered, his mind racing. He clenched his jaw before forcing out, “Let's just go through the

proper

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Chapter 86

channels Selena screwed up, and this is how it should be handled”

Hailey nanowed her eyes slightly. That was a little too fast of a change. Is Owen really that terrifying?

She turned her head, eyring Owen curiously Owen, ever unbothered, met her gaze with an innocent look, like he

had no clue what was going on.

Auden, on the other hand, wanted nothing more to do with this. As soon as he got his words out, he turned and

walked off, practically fleeing the scene.

At that moment. Rose stepped out of the lounge. The second she spotted Hailey, she rushed over, her face

streaked with

“Hailey, please,” she sobbed. “As your stepmother, I'm begging you. Don’t sue Selena. She's still young, she has

her whole future ahead of her. If she gets a criminal record, her life will be over!”

Her voice cracked with desperation. No matter what kind of mother she had been, she clearly cared about her

daughter.

“Mom!” Selena’s voice rang out from the side. She had been giving her statement but couldn't stay quiet

anymore.

Rose wasted no tpulling her close. “Apologize to Hailey,” she ordered, gripping Selena’s arm tightly. “Tell her

you were wrong. Ask for her forgiveness.”

Selena’s eyes were puffy, her face wet with tears, but she refused to bow her head.

Hailey didn’t say a word, but her gaze sharpened.

The weak always know how to play the victim. If outsiders saw this, they would probably think she was the cruel

one.

Rose, clearly frustrated, suddenly raised her hand and slapped Selena across the face. “Apologize!” she snapped.

“After everything you did, you still have the nerve to act stubborn? Say you're sorry!”

Selena’s head jerked to the side, her cheek stinging. Slowly, she turned back to Rose, anger and humiliation

swirling in her

ryes:

Rose's voice lowered, her tone harsh. “Or do you want to go to jail?”

Selena stiffened. Something shifted in her expression.

She took a breath, swallowing her pride. Then, after a long pause, she turned to Hailey and bowed her head. “I'm

sorry,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

Hailey’s Tace remained unreadable.

Selena clenched her fists. | can’t go to jail. If | get a criminal record, my life is over.

She kept telling herself that, but no matter how many times she repeated it, the shstill burned.

Selena gritted her teeth, her eyes red with frustration. She took a shaky breath before looking up.

“I'm sorry, Hailey,” she said, voice shaking. “Please forgive me. | let my jealousy get the best of me. | messed

up. | know that now. Just... please don’t ruin me.”

Owen didn’t care whether Hailey forgave her or not. But he knew that if she didn’t, people would turn her into

the villain. They would call her heartless, cruel to her own family. He could handle that kind of backlash. Hailey

shouldn't have to.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Do what you want. I've got you!

Hailey understood. She let out a slow breath.

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Chapter 86

“I won't sue you,” she said calmly, “but you need to disappear from my life. Stay out of my sight. And | want a

public apology. Admit what you did and announce that you're leaving the industry.”

Rose, desperate to end this, jumped in. “Alright! We agree. We agree!”

Selena swallowed hard. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I agree.”

Hailey took a sip of her juice, completely unfazed. “Then post the statement now. I'll drop the lawsuit after | see

it Selena’s fingers shook as she pulled out her phone to open X. She hated this. But she had no choice.

Her hands hovered over the screen before she finally typed. [After reflecting on my actions, | realize how wrong |

was. sincerely apologize to my sister, Hailey Dalton, and to my fans who supported me.]

away from the entertainment industry [My jealousy ledto make terrible mistakes. I've decided to step and

focus on my studies abroad. Thank you for your support.]

She hit send, then looked at Hailey with red-rimmed eyes. “Happy

now?”

Hailey raised a brow. “Not bad.

Selena wiped her tears and turned to leave. Before she could take more than a few steps, Hailey’s voice stopped

her. “T haven't dropped the lawsuit yet. Why the rush to change your attitude?”

Selena froze. She spun around, eves blazing. “You... you're going back on your word?!”

Hailey tilted her head. “Why not?”

“Bitch!” Selena spat, her face twisted with rage.

Hailey leaned back into Owen’s embrace, her expression turning cold. “Don’t act like I'm the bad guy here,

Selena,” she said, voice light but sharp. “You brought this on yourself.”