My blood boiled again, and my feet propelled me toward them. "How shameless of you to say such nasty things about me, Lalaina?"

This woman knew how to get under my skin.

"Oh? You’re still here, Carrie?" Lalaina looked at me with disdain. "Well, I know you know what I’m talking about. I saw you putting something in your daughter’s food. You plan to make her sick so you can get Maximus's attention." She accused.

I blinked in disbelief at her outrageous lies. "What the hell?!"

"Is that true, Carrie?" Max's gaze turned to me, his anger evident. "Did you do that to my daughter??"

"And you believe her lies?! Come on, Max! Why would I do that to my daughter? I’m not insane!" I retorted.

I watched as Lalaina tightly grasped Max's hand. "Max, I saw it! I wanted to tell you, but I was scared. Carrie poisoned Stacey!"

"I'm amazed, Lalaina. So, you're the storyteller in this little drama and I'm the villain?!" I started, barely holding back my urge to slap her.

Lalaina put on a show, hiding behind Max as if she were a frightened cat. "Look, she has murderous intent in her eyes. She's unwell, Max. You have to believe me."

“Unwell? I don’t think so. I’m in the right state of mind. What about you? Who in their right mind would steal their sister's husband?”

"Carrie, she has no reason to lie, but I know you’re a great liar. You know how to twist your words," Max grunted.

I caught Lalaina smirking from behind him, her satisfaction palpable. "See? You always play the victim card, but now you’re caught!"

In a fit of anger, I lunged at her and slapped her hard across the face.

Lalaina squealed in shock, dramatically collapsing into Max’s arms like a damsel in distress.

"Max! She hit me!" Lalaina cried, voice trembling.

Maximus shot me a sharp glare, and I didn’t anticipate what he would do next. He turned to me and slapped me twice—his strikes harder than mine, sending me crashing to the ground as I felt blood trickle from my nose.

"How dare you hit Lalaina?! She’s your stepsister, and you hurt her, huh? You just showed me your true colors!" he shouted, towering over me.

I was terrified of Max, knowing he would protect Lalaina and do anything to get revenge for her. I glanced back at Lalaina's face, one filled with satisfaction at having witnessed his reaction toward me.

I wanted to rush at her again to make her feel my pain, but I forced myself to stay calm.