Chapter 770 Why So Much Nonsense?
Adeline's head snapped to the side from the force of the slap, her cheek burning and the taste of blood filling her mouth.
Nearby, Daisy's furious voice kept hammering at her. "Adeline! You should've never come back! If you hadn't, Mom wouldn't have been hurt by Jasper!"
"Daisy!"
Howard's stern voice cut through Daisy's rant:
"Enough! Adeline came back with good intentions. She's cut ties with Jasper. This isn't her fault!"
Howard's defense only made Daisy angrier. She pointed at Adeline, her voice rising, "Not her fault?"
"Adeline, tell us yourself!"
"You said you came back to the Phoebe family for Mom. Wasn't that just to make Jasper mad at her?"
"If Mom dies today, it's on you. You don't deserve to be part of this family!"
Daisy's words hit Adeline like a punch to the gut. She clutched her face and took a step back, her mind reeling.
Was it... true?
If she hadn't said she returned for her mother, would Jasper have left her alone?
The thought left her dazed, almost unable to stand. Thankfully, Oliver caught her just in time.
Oliver held Adeline tightly, shielding her with his arm. "Adeline was just being honest. She can't control what others do."
"If she could control Jasper, she wouldn't have been hurt by him in the first place!"
Oliver glared at Daisy. "Stop blaming everything on Adeline. She's Mom's real daughter, closer to her than any of us!"
"Mom's in trouble now, and Adeline's the one suffering the most. Why are you so quick to pin all the blame on her?"
"If we didn't know Jasper did this, I'd think you were behind it, looking for a scapegoat!"
Oliver's words made Daisy's eyes flash with panic. She bit her lip and took a step back, her arrogance fading.
Daisy turned to Howard, tears welling up. "Dad, did you hear what Oliver said?"
"When Mom got hurt, I was at the hospital for treatment. I rushed to the room as soon as I heard the news, just like Oliver..."
"And Mom raised me for so many years. We were the closest. How could I ever hurt her?"
"Oliver's words really hurt me."
She cried into Howard's chest, "Is it because I'm not a blood relative of the Phoebe family that you all treat me like an outsider?"
"Mom is hurt, and Oliver still suspects me..."
"Maybe I should just leave Radiance Springs and go to Neon City. Even if my biological parents don't want me, at least I'm their blood..."
Her pitiful crying made Howard frown. He turned to Oliver with a stern look. "Daisy was Mom's choice to keep. They were the closest!"
"If Mom wakes up and hears you badmouthing Daisy, she'll be furious!"
Oliver scoffed, holding Adeline tighter, "And if Mom hears Daisy constantly insulting her real daughter, won't she be mad too?"
Oliver's embrace was warm and comforting. For the first time, Adeline felt the warmth of her half-brother.
She bit her lip and whispered to Oliver, "Oliver, let it go."
Daisy just wanted to vent her anger. There was no reasoning with her.
But Oliver wouldn't back down, "Daisy, don't think you can push Adeline around just because you've been in the Phoebe family longer!"
"As long as I'm here, you won't get away with it. The Phoebe family will never be a Collins!"
Oliver's words stunned Daisy. She glared at Adeline with hatred.
Why did Adeline always excel, overshadowing Molly? Why did she get to meet someone as amazing as Jasper?
Why, after causing her sister Molly's death, did Zara and Oliver still protect her?
Just because she was the true Phoebe daughter, with Phoebe blood?
No.
The true Phoebe daughter could only be her, Daisy!
She sniffled and cried into Howard's chest again, "Dad, look... Oliver still treats me like an outsider, saying the Phoebe family can't be a Collins... Even though my biological parents are Collins, I've always felt like a Phoebe... Oliver's words really hurt."
Howard rubbed his aching temples and glanced at the emergency room door.
Zara's fate was uncertain, and his three children were causing a scene outside... It was disgraceful!
Howard took a deep breath and pushed Daisy away. "All of you, be quiet!"
He looked at the tearful Daisy and the protected Adeline, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
Blood ties mattered.
Even if Oliver and Adeline were half-siblings, they were still related by blood.
They stood together, leaving Daisy alone.
If he didn't show some favoritism to Daisy now, she'd be heartbroken.
Daisy had been his daughter for over twenty years. He couldn't bear to see her hurt.
Howard coldly looked at Adeline. "Stop hiding behind Oliver. Come out."
Adeline hesitated but eventually stepped away from Oliver.
Howard continued, "Adeline, go reflect on your actions."
"Daisy is right. Your mother's condition is linked to you and your ex-husband Jasper."
"You just saw Jasper today, and now this happens to your mother. Don't you see your mistake?"
She stood firm, looking Howard in the eye, "I did nothing wrong."
As soon as she spoke, she felt a sharp kick to the back of her knee.
She lost her balance and fell to the ground.
Behind her, Daisy's cold voice said, "Dad told you to reflect. Stop talking back."
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