The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Steven lifted his head and looked at Portia.

She couldn't let what he did to Zachary slide so easily. If she did, it would only encourage others to think Zachary was an easy target, enticing everyone to bully him.

Hence, Portia stepped forward and slapped Steven across the face. "Since you beat Zachary, I'm hitting you back on his behalf. This makes us even."noveldrama

Steven took a deep breath and said coldly, "I've tolerated you again and again because you're Annalise's mother. Don't push your luck."

Portia glared at him and retorted, "Annalise is unrelated to you anymore, and neither am I. There's no need to tolerate us."

With that, Portia turned and walked away without looking back.

As Steven watched her retreating figure, an unexpected bitterness welled up in his chest. He couldn't help but recall how Portia treated him with such warmth. Whenever he and Annalise visited her, Portia always prepared meals he liked. Even Annalise couldn't hide her jealousy. She would pout, teasing Portia, "You treat your son-in-law better than me. I'm jealous."

Portia would always gently tap Annalise's cheek and tease her, "You're a grown woman. Is this really necessary?"

They had once been such a warm and harmonious family. So how did everything change?

Annalise had left Steven, while Portia treated him with disdain and couldn't wait to berate him. What had he done so wrong? What had he missed along the way?

Sasha woke up early and headed to Yvonne's office to try to reach her.

Yvonne stood at the office door, her gaze landing on Sasha. Curious, she asked, "Are you looking for me? What's the matter?"

"Yeah." As the pampered daughter of

doting parents, Sasha had never

been one to hold back her feelings. After being blindsided by Yvonne, she wasn't about to let her anger go unnoticed.

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"Did you tell Shane I was assigned to that project team?" she demanded.

Yvonne didn't think it was a big deal. Shrugging, she answered nonchalantly, "Yes, I did. So what?"

Sasha hadn't expected her to admit it so boldly. The flames of her fury roared higher.

"Who do you think you are? Did you get my permission? What makes you think you can tell people about my business? What gives you the right to do so?"

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that I knew, and Shane asked me. So, I told him.

"You're Annalise's friend. I don't like either of you. And now that he knows you are rich, he's definitely going to harass you all day." Yvonne smirked and continued, "Honestly, I enjoy watching you suffer. Even if he hadn't asked, I'd have made sure to tell him anyway." Sasha scoffed and said, "So, that's how it is?"

If Yvonne had just targeted her, she could have let it slide. But she was dragging Annalise into it? That was crossing the line.

Before Sasha arrived, she had

planned to have a civil conversation

with Yvonne and sort things out. But

eline

after this Sasha swore to make

Yvonne pay for her actions.

Otherwise, she would think Annalise and her were easy to mess with.

Sasha clenched her teeth and threatened, "Don't blame me for what happens next."