Tracy and Sheila totally freaked out when they saw someone show up. They gawked at the two elders from the Howard family.
Patricia didnât jump out of her skin, but she was all jittery and uneasy. Her eyes were anxiously darting between Dean and Alyssa. She was still babbling on about her innocence, âGrandpa, Grandma, I donât know these people⦠I donât know why theyâre talking trash⦠Theyâre Ellinorâs puppets: they probably got their pockets lined by her to frame me.â
Ellinor also came out of the room, letting out a chuckle, âMs. Howard, youâre still trying to talk your way out of this with all the evidence staring you in the face?â
Patricia shot daggers at Ellinor, but with all the resentment inside her, she didnât know what to say in return.
Xenia stepped up to bat for her daughter, âMs. Mendoza, whatâs wrong with what my daughter said?
These two are your stepmom and stepsister, of course theyâd help you!â
Ellinor cast a glance at Xenia and then at Tracy and Sheila, who were standing in the living room, as if she heard something ridiculous, âMrs. Howard, do they look like theyâd help me? Did you not hear the nasty names they were calling me just now?â
Xenia knew very well what Tracy and Sheila were really thinking; she was just trying to get her daughter off the hook, âYou mustâve planned this with them in advance! Theyâre your accomplices; this mustâve been a well-thought-out plot to frame my daughter!â
Ellinor didnât argue with Xenia anymore; she turned to the two elders of the Howard family, âGrandpa Dean, Grandma Alyssa, and Mr. Howard, you heard everything my stepmother and stepsister said to Ms. Howard. Iâm sure you know who to believe.â
Tracy and Sheila had a pretty good idea of what was going on after Ellinor showed up; they also knew they messed up.
They were super nervous and tried to make up some excuses for Patricia, thinking they might still be able to turn the tables.
Tracy hastily said, âUh⦠Sorry about that! We mistook her for someone else! We donât know Ms.
Howard; it was Ellinor who brought us here!â
Sheila also nodded vigorously, following her motherâs lead, âYeah, yeah, yeah! Ellinor asked us to come here; she even told us to frame Ms.
Howard!â
Patricia, Xenia, Dean, Alyssa, and Balfour were all left speechless and dumbfounded by the mother-
daughter duoâs stupidity.
Tracy and Sheila didnât just not help Patricia; they dug a deeper hole for her!
If they hadnât flipped their stance under pressure, Xeniaâs accusations against Ellinor could still stand, but now they were totally off the rails.
The atmosphere in the Howard familyâs living room was as heavy as lead.
Dean and Alyssa looked at Xenia and Patriciaâs stubborn denial, sensing big trouble.
After a while, Alyssa slowly walked up to Ellinor, very apologetically took her hand, and said, âEllinor, Iâm truly sorry. We didnât teach our granddaughter well, causing you to suffer.â
Ellinor shook her head, saying âNo, itâs not your fault; you donât need to apologize to me.â