Chapter 22
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“What’s going on?” Kylie asked, panicked.
Ananda, the epitome of kindness and grace, was well–liked by everyone. But today, the front desk attendant looked visibly upset, a stark contrast to Amanda’s calm demeanor.
“Your mom was cleaning when she had a run–in with a guest on their way to dine at the restaurant. It escalated, and now there’s a complaint,” the attendant explained, their fingers fumliling with their phone as they tried to reach the hotel
manager.
Amanda had only been working there for a month, but she’d already won everyone’s hearts with her warm nersonality. The hotel took its reputation seriously and didn’t brush off complaints.
As Kylie approached the tenth floor, the muffled voices grew louder.
“You need to handle this seriously. It’s bad enough she was rude in the elevator, but she had the audacity to hit my mother!” Melanie’s voice was laced with anger.
“A ring worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is missing. There were only three of us in that elevator; it had to be her. I demand a search, Julie continued, her tone sharp.
Julie, that’s ridiculous. I would never steal. You were the one who struck first; I was just protecting myself, Amanda responded, her usual softness replaced by a steely resolve.
Kylie froze at the sound of familiar voices. Melanie and Julie!
She hadn’t seen them since leaving the hospital, except for that one time she’d spotted Melanie with Craig at a dealership.
The unfair accusations against her adoptive mother ignited a fire within Kylie. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, and strode forward.
“Amanda, apologize to the guests and do as they say,” the manager instructed upon arrival, not giving Amanda a chance to explain.
Amanda stood there, stunned. The manager’s words were a punch to the gut, leaving her reeling.
“If that ring isn’t found, I’ll expose your staff to the media, Julie threatened.
Today, she was bent on teaching Amanda a lesson about her place in society. If Amanda had failed to raise Kylie right, Julie would show her how things were done.
Melanie, witnessing Amanda’s job as a cleaner, felt a wave of disdain. She had no intention of returning to Amanda’s side. not when it meant being associated with a cleaner. Her friends would never let her hear the end of it.
Seeing Melanie’s cold shoulder and her alliance with Julie, Amanda’s heart ached with a pain that far surpassed any physical blow. The bond she’d once had with Melanie seemed to shatter.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she stood her ground. “This isn’t how it happened. I’m being set up.
The manager, taking in Julie and Melanie’s designer outfits, dismissed Ananda’s plea. Just apologize.”
“I…” Amanda’s hands balled into fists, her usual strength wavering. She’d faced so much since her husband’s passing, never once breaking down. But the injustice of it all was almost too much to bear.
Kylie’s voice was icy as she confronted Julie and Melanie. “You two should be apologizing. There are security cameras in the elevator. If I call the police, they’ll check the footage immediately.”
1/3
Chapter 22
She’d seen their manipulative faces before, and their fancy clothes didn’t change her opinion of them.
“Kylie!” Amanda exclaimed, surprised to see her daughter.
die stood by Amanda’s side, her tone firm. “Mom, even if you work here, they don’t have the right to search you.”
lie, do you know what you’re saying?” Julie scolded, her voice sharp.
Sis, we haven’t seen you in ages, and you show up just to upset mom? Isn’t that a bit much?” Melanie criticized, eyeing Kylie from head to toe.
They had expected to see a broken, tear–stained Kylie, but instead, she seemed to have an unnameable grace about her.
The manager and the crowd were puzzled by the situation. It looked like they all knew each other
Kylie ignored them and addressed the manager. I’m Amanda’s daughter, and I suspect these two are trying to frame my mom. If you don’t call the police, I will,”
“Hold on with the cops, the manager interjected, trying to mediare. “Do you all know each other? Is there some misunderstanding? Let’s clear things up before involving the police. It’ll only make things worse.”
Julie’s face darkened as she glared at Kylie. “Don’t you know who your real mother is? You’re going to call the cops on your own mother? You’ve been gone for a few days, and now you’re even more disrespectful, more ill–mannered
“Blood doesn’t change everything. The act of giving birth isn’t greater than the grace of raising a child. When you talk about me, have you ever considered how Melanie has been outrageously disloyal? She can even frame her own mother; what’s the difference between her and a murderer? Kylie retorted with a sneer.
What are you saying? How can she be compared to Mom? Kylie, are you trying to drive a wedge between me and my mother’s relationship?” Melanie was taken aback, not expecting Kylie to be so bold.
In her fury, Melanie advanced on Kylie, her hand raised to strike
“Kylie!” Amanda cried out.
Kylie caught Melanie’s hand mid–air, and with a swift move, she deflected the attack and pinned Melanie down. Melanie struggled, but Kylie’s hold was firm, leaving Melanie with no choice but to resist ineffectively. Her actions were far from the behavior of a lady.
“Let go of me! Kylie!” Melanie shouted.
Kylie’s grip on Melanie was fierce, her slaps echoing through the air before anyone could intervene. Melanie reeled from the impact, her head spinning and tears streaming down her face.
“Ah! Kylie, you’ll regret this! I’m calling the police!” Melanie sobbed, her cries a mix of anger and pain.
Julie rushed over, ready to intervene, but Amanda held her back. “Let the girls work it out,” she said, a calmness in her voice that belied the tension in the room.
Amanda knew Kylie’s history; she’d never been one to shy away from a confrontation. Back in high school, Amanda had had to put her foot down to stop the fights. But Kylie had a knack for it, her hits leaving opponents in pain without a mark.
To onlookers, Melanie’s reaction seemed overly dramatic. But Amanda understood it all too well.
Suddenly, a voice sliced through the chaos. “What’s happening here?”
All eyes turned to the door. Melanie, upon seeing the man at the door, tried to hide her face, her embarrassment clear.
Kylie was taken aback by Trevor’s presence. What was he doing at the office?
