Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Yolanda walked into the café, her high heels clicking softly against the floor, dressed in a light pink dress, looking like a blooming rose. She wore a sweet smile, but her large eyes concealed a hint of gloating.
Chloe didn't turn around. She merely lifted her eyelids slightly, gazing out the window. Her indifference made Yolanda's smile falter, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Chloe, I heard that Quella and Xena were kicked out just now. Well, they really don't know how to behave, always saying things carelessly. But don't worry, I'll definitely teach them a lesson for you, so they won't dare to offend you again!"
Though her words sounded like she was standing up for Chloe, every word seemed to remind those around her that what happened earlier was all because Chloe had angered others, leading to such a scene.
Demi couldn't help but frown and stepped forward, blocking Yolanda. In a tone full of warning, she said, "Miss Stone, if you don't have anything important to say, please don't disturb Miss Quinn's rest."
Yolanda showed a pitiful and innocent expression. "I'm just concerned about Chloe. Please don't be so harsh."
Another familiar, even sharper, voice interrupted, "Well, some people, with powerful figures backing them up, have become so arrogant, acting so high and mighty!"
Quella appeared again, her exquisite makeup unable to hide the jealousy and anger on her face, instantly filling the café with a tense, charged atmosphere.
Quella glanced at Chloe, then at Yolanda, curling her lips into a sneer. "Yolanda, you're such a good person. To please this fake heiress, you're willing to throw away your own dignity."
"Quella, who are you calling a fake heiress?" Demi couldn't take it anymore and stepped forward to shield Chloe, her voice filled with anger. "Watch your words!"
"What? Do I really need to spell it out?" Quella sneered, "Everyone still remembers the scandal from a few years ago, right? Everyone knows she's just a country bumpkin who got swapped at birth. And now she's acting like she owns the place?"
Her words were like a sharp knife, stabbing directly into Chloe. Yet, she remained calm. The coffee cup in her hand wobbled slightly, betraying a moment of panic, but quickly returned to its position.
"Enough." Finally, Chloe spoke. She slowly turned her head, her eyes locking with Quella's, exuding a chilling aura. "If you want to stir up trouble, try somewhere else. You're not welcome here."
Quella felt a cold shiver run down her spine from Chloe's gaze but maintained her bravado. "What? Am I not allowed to speak the truth? Or are you so scared you can't even listen to it?"
Smack! The sharp sound of a slap rang through the café.
Everyone froze, including Quella herself. She covered her red, stinging cheek, staring at Chloe in disbelief. "How dare you slap me?"
Chloe withdrew her hand, her expression cold. "That's the first slap, for you not knowing how to watch your words."
"Chloe!" Hayden strode into the café, his handsome, stern face clouded with anger. His sharp eyes locked onto Chloe as he grabbed her delicate wrist. "Apologize to Quella!"
Chloe looked up at him, her eyes showing no signs of yielding or fear, only cold detachment. "Let go." Her voice was low, yet carried an irresistible power.
Hayden frowned, gripping her wrist tighter. "I said apologize!"
"I won't apologize for what I've done." Chloe sneered. "But you, you should repent for everything you did three years ago."
Her words struck Hayden like a thunderclap. He froze, instinctively loosening his grip, but soon returned to his cold, hard demeanor. "Three years ago, it was your fault. You brought it upon yourself!"
"My fault?" Chloe slowly stood up, her gaze as sharp as a blade. "My fault was trusting the wrong people, believing that family could overcome greed. I was naive enough to think I really had a family!"
Hayden swallowed hard, unable to rebut. He could only shift the focus to today's incident. "Now's not the time to go over the past. I'm asking you, are you going to apologize for today's incident or not?"
"Impossible." Chloe's tone was resolute. "Even if it happened again, I would still do the same."
"Chloe," Yolanda chimed in. She crouched down, grabbed Chloe's wrist, and said in a tone that was both pitiful and pleading, "I know I've wronged you in the past, but we're family after all! Please, don't make a scene anymore. Okay?"
The crowd around them threw complex glances, whispering.
"Looks like Miss Stone is quite sensible," one onlooker whispered.
"Yeah, in public, begging someone, it's so humiliating," another person chimed in.
But they didn't know, this was just one of Yolanda's usual tricks. Sure enough, under everyone's gaze, she looked at Chloe with teary eyes, her voice almost choked with emotion.
"Chloe, if you think I've done something wrong, please tell me. I'll change. But please, don't hurt our family's feelings anymore."
This scene made many people cast judgment on Chloe and sympathize with Yolanda. However, only those standing closest could see the mocking smile on Chloe's face.
"Is this enough?" she asked quietly, her voice so cold it made people shiver. "Is the show over?"
Yolanda froze, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes when she looked at Chloe, but she quickly resumed her pitiful act. "Chloe, how can you say that?"
Chloe sneered. "Forgot already? Since three years ago, I've stopped being a member of the Stone family. If it weren't for Grandma, do you think I would've come back?"
This sentence stunned everyone, and the most shocked was Hayden. He abruptly looked up at Chloe and saw a face that was both familiar and strange, filled with mockery and determination.
He opened his mouth but found himself speechless. Years of resentment, guilt, and contradictions exploded inside him, enveloping him in a suffocating silence.