Chapter 76 Neighbor
Eula listened to the loud vitriol; the accusations hurled with malice.
Her complexion was getting worse as the neighbors closed in, eager to watch her ordeal.
Truth be told, she couldn't care less about the mockery, but her three children—what would people think of them? Bastards?
Her hands balled into fists, rage surging through her at the mere thought. She longed to stride forward, knock that woman out cold, and shut her up for good.
Melissa, sensing the growing crowd, became even more brazen.
"Better watch out, everyone! So young and yet such a loose cannon. Think about your husbands, your sons—if she seduces them, your families will be ruined."
Mary couldn't stand by any longer. She burst out and pointed an accusing finger.
"Shut your mouth! Who do you think you are? Eula is beautiful and kind; she's not at all what you're painting her to be!"
Paralyzed, Eula stood there, clueless about defending herself, but thankfully Mary was on her side.
Bolstered by sudden courage, Eula charged toward Melissa but was swiftly stopped by the bodyguards.
"Melissa, you're just a mistress. You have no right to speak to me like this!"
She lunged at her adversary, but the bodyguards held firm; Mary tried to help, but she was outmatched and nearly toppled over in the struggle.
Eula steadied her friend. "Mary, are you okay?"
Seeing the outsider swagger in their midst, one neighbor raised his voice.
Then they fought with the four bodyguards, Melissa didn't expect that they would help Eula and stepped back in fear.
Eula went into the yard, grabbed a baseball bat, and went after her, splitting her head against Melissa.
Melissa, outmatched, her hair a mess, her clothes dirty, and now with a mark on her face, sat down crying, "Help! Someone help!"
The scuffle subsided with all four bodyguards hurt, eventually escorting Melissa away.
Eula watched their sorry retreat with a sense of catharsis. She had longed for revenge over the years, but lacked the means; struggling to even provide for her children, vengeance seemed unattainable—until today's gratifying exchange.
Mary caught her breath and chuckled. "Who was that anyway? She's awful."
It was clear, the woman had come with the sole purpose of tarnishing Eula's reputation, revealing the depth of her malice.
Arm in arm with Mary, Eula smiled, feeling the fatigue. "That's my stepmother, the one who drove my mother to leave."
Understanding dawned on Mary, and she nodded. Definitely a villain.
The neighbors overheard and rallied to her side. "Eula, don't be afraid. Just call us if you need anything."
"We all know your character; we won't believe what others say."
"If she dares to come back, we'll deal with her again."
Eula bowed to the crowd, moved by their support.
"Thank you all! Thank you!"
Eula had been living on Snow Street for three years and was known for her amiable nature. She would greet her neighbors, and over time, they started gathering to chat and catch up. As a result, she had built warm relationships with them all.
Upon returning home, Eula found Mary in the kitchen, helping her sort through vegetables. Suddenly, a stark realization hit her: she felt more valued by these neighbors than by her own family. They seemed to truly see her and believe in her, which was more than she could say for her father or grandfather, who always seemed to blame her for everything.
She sighed; even though an incident six years prior had turned her life upside down, she didn't regret the birth of her three precious children.
She was determined to raise them well, ensuring that they would grow up just like any other kids.
