Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison

Chapter 25 Betrayal and Blame

When Lydia heard Meryl's words, her face stiffened, and a hint of guilt flashed across her expression.

Just as expected, Bianca's expression turned grim the n Meryl brought up the incident.

Bianca always thought that her well-behaved eldest daughter would never commit such a disgraceful act.

But the live TV broadcast had detailed accounts, and she had been troubled by it all morning.

With her lips pressed together, Bianca asked, "Lydia, did you and Dalton really..."

Tears welled up in Lydia's eyes, and they started to fall before she could even get a word out. "I'm sorry, Mom. Dalton had too much to drink last night. He took me to the hotel, and I was too weak to fight back."

Upon hearing that, Bianca frowned and grumbled, "That Dalton! He's already engaged to Meryl. How could he force himself on you?!"

Lydia gently wiped her reddened eyes and continued, "Dalton was drunk, Mom. It's not entirely his fault. And Meryl is a victim in this, too."

It was only then that Bianca remembered Meryl was still standing there.

since Meryl loved Dalton so much, she must

couldn't keep an eye

hadn't made Dalton angry that night, you wouldn't have had

happened. Lydia lost her dignity to Dalton because of you

hearing that, Meryl stopped abruptly in her tracks. "Are you kidding me? They're the ones who messed around and you're

who the biological daughter was

family always pin the root

one thing. She's always been vying for my

seriously, are my

tell right

bias has to stop! If you keep pushing me, I'll tell the reporters they've been messing around for ages! Lydia even had two abortions for Dalton! You want to mess with me? Fin Bianca gasped. "You!

another word, Meryl turned, slammed the door shut, and stormed out, leaving Bianca and Lydia in

room.

disbelief. "Lydia? Did you really have an abortion? Were you

of grievance. "Mom, Meryl's lying. She was just desperate and trying to stir things up between us. I'm innocent. There's no way I'd do that." Bianca breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that. Then, she commented with a thoughtful expression, "Meryl was indeed raised in a gambler's family, lying without batting an eye. If she were half as well-behaved as you." Lydia, feeling pleased with herself, added, "It's

"Wronged? It's your reputation on the line, not hers. What's there for her to be wronged about? She spent three years in prison and is still