Q3
Maggie “accidentally” opened the transaction history, revealing a large transfer made just half an hour ago.
At that time, both the card and phone had been with me.
“You worthless piece of trash, stealing Maggie’s gift money!” Miranda screamed, charging at me, her hand poised to strike.
I wasn’t going to stand there and take it, so I darted behind Maggie, shouting, “I don’t even know her password!”
Miranda, panting, hissed, “You two are as close as sisters, you can’t tell me you didn’t know all Maggie’s passwords are her birthday!”
Sure, Maggie and I were close, but that didn’t stop her from stabbing me in the back.
“Then let’s call the police and clear my name,” I retorted.
Maggie’s reaction was immediate and exaggerated. “No! Lina, that would give you a criminal record. Just give the money back, and I’ll forget all about it, okay?” she pleaded, tears shining in her eyes.
“I know you might be struggling for money, but this is something I can’t give you,” she continued as Logan began massaging his temples, looking increasingly agitated.
His eyes were bloodshot, and within arm’s reach was the cake Maggie insisted on having and a knife.
Suddenly, I met Logan’s blood–red gaze.
He was about to lose control. I edged further behind Maggie.
Miranda kept up her threats about calling the police.
Maggie clung to my arm, making a show of pleading. “Lina, please give back my gift money.”
She gripped me tightly, trapping me, not letting me reach for my phone.
I yelled in desperation, “I didn’t take it! If I did, let lightning strike me down when I leave today!”
Ignoring my words, they continued their loud accusations, purposefully raising their voices.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Logan reaching for the knife.
“Enough!”
stern, cutting through 1
The drama finally reached a halt when Rachel interjected, her expression farce. Miranda and Maggie fell silent immediately.
Even Logan, hearing his mother’s voice, withdrew his hand from the knife.
Rachel focused on Maggie. “Do you have any proof it was Lina who transferred the money?”
At the question, Maggie glanced at Logan, but he made no move.
Her signals went unnoticed, failing her plans.
This debacle was meant to end with me being stabbed, but Rachel’s sharp gaze derailed Maggie’s confidence, and she dropped her head.
“Mom, Lina knew my password, and she had my phone.”
I looked at Maggie, deeply hurt. “Maggie, I’m your cousin. Why would I do something like that?”
Vincent stepped in, his accusation carrying weight as my only remaining family. “Rachel, it must have been her. We treated her like our own
daughter”
Yet Rachel’s expression was unchanged; she studied Maggie thoughtfully.
The slap that followed was loud and fierce, knocking Maggie to the floor.
“You little b*tch!” Rachel cursed.
Seizing the moment, I decisively called the police.
“No, don’t call the police!” Miranda, who had been clamoring for police intervention, suddenly reversed course, only to be kicked towards her shoulder by Rachel.
Panicked, Maggie argued, “Mom, she stole the money; the evidence is clear. Just have her return it, no need to make a
scene.”
8:35 PM J
04
