The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 92

When Coral got home, Gabriel was already gone.

She saw her parents sitting in silence on the sofa. She wanted to say something, but the vibe was off, so she tiptoed towards her room.

But as soon as she took one step, Brandon’s angry voice boomed, “Stop!”

Coral instantly stopped, looking at Brandon with terror, “What’s up, Dad?”

She knew that her actions had caused Uncle to lose his job and trouble for Vivienne, which had plunged the Lockwood family into crisis. Her parents were upset, and she knew they were going to hold her accountable.

Days passed and her parents hadn’t mentioned the incident. She thought they wouldn’t blame her, but now, she was starting to worry.

Her mom was usually pretty laid back and spoiled her, but her dad, oh boy, when he was angry, it was terrifying.

“Kneel down!” Brandon roared.

Coral was shocked. She wanted to argue back, but seeing the fury in Brandon’s eyes, she lowered her head and obediently knelt down.

Jaylan Lockwood, hearing the commotion, came out. He glanced at Coral, but didn’t say a word.

Yeah, this little sister definitely needed some discipline.

“Whack!” Brandon’s hand came down on Coral’s face, “You ignorant child! I have always been upright and never harmed others, but I never expected to raise such a troublemaker like you!” Coral, clutching her face, looked at Brandon in disbelief.

No matter what wrongs she had done in the past, her father had never hit her. This slap was a heavy one, and she could feel her face swelling up.

Feeling wronged, she suddenly stood up, crying and glaring at Brandon, “Dad, you hit me? What did I do wrong, why did you hit me?”

“Whack!”

Before Coral could finish, she got slapped again, this time by Mrs. Lockwood.

her mother

hitting her was one thing,

so reckless, and you still don’t know to repent. You’ve

down.” Mrs. Lockwood

Lockwood so stern before, and she was a bit dazed, “Mom! Why? Why is

it just asking Uncle for a little

was real, she had no idea! Who would’ve thought that someone raised in Emerald

fired, and she felt guilty. This wasn’t what she wanted

said sternly. “The Lockwood family’s company is on the brink of collapse, your uncle and aunt have lost their jobs, and your

head, not

and you’re saying you don’t understand?” Mrs. Lockwood was filled with

style was not strict. As a girl, she wanted Coral to have a privileged upbringing, to be loved and taught the right values. But she never imagined

two in the morning every night to earn his current job. Do you know how hard it was for our family to get to where we are today? Your brother is transparent and fair in his dealings. He never

Jaylan took Vivienne back for investigation. It was a normal procedure, but

different.

a law enforcement officer meant

caught, being suspended was the least of his

loved his job. He never broke the rules, so

to be taught a

could I not want to see our family

didn’t think things would

stand seeing Arabella being bullied, you just wanted to stand up for Arabella, you just thought Arabella was the real lady and Vivienne didn’t deserve to be!”

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Chapter 92

Lockwood finished Coral’s sentence.

looked at Mrs. Lockwood in surprise, “Mom,

she did against Vivienne was

and she couldn’t bear

years, what tricks

schemes can fool me?”

“I don’t get it! Don’t

Arabella at all. The reason I’m friendly to her when she comes

like Arabella from the first time she met her. She felt Arabella was

manipulative.

she loved Coral and didn’t want to upset her, so she