Layna sobbed uncontrobly, tears streaming down her cheeks. Judging by the state of her, she definitely looked worse off than Pattie.


    Her crying made it look like Pattie was the troublemaker, as if she''d picked on Layna for no reason at all.


    Juliana, standing tall behind the Stranz family''s reputation—and with Layna looking like the picture of innocence-feltpletely justified as she spoke up. "Mrs. Salstrom, we came here to celebrate your daughter''s birthday out of kindness, and now my Layna ends up attacked. Just look at these bruises! Layna''s a girl-what if she''s left with scars?"


    The message was clear: she wanted Anastasia to do something about it.


    Pattie, red-faced and furious, waved her arms frantically, desperate to exin: Layna tried to steal my drawing, I caught her, and she tore it up!


    There was no way Pattie was going to let Layna y the victim. If Juliana wanted to paint Pattie as some bratty, out-of-control bully, Pattie was just as determined to make everyone see Layna as a thief.


    Only problem was, Juliana and the other societydies had no idea what Pattie''s wild gestures meant. She might as well have been speaking Martian-all she got were confused stares.


    Juliana, flustered and still upset for Layna, lost her patience. "What are you even doing, Pattie? Who can understand you waving your arms around like that? You look ridiculous! And look at what you did to my Layna-honestly, where are your manners?"


    Anastasia''s face turned stone cold. She shot to her feet. "Mrs. Stranz, are you calling my daughter ill-mannered? Maybe you should take Layna home and teach her some respect. She sneaks into the gift room and tries to steal something, and you call that polite? Pattie told me Layna was after the birthday presents, that''s how this all started. The gifts are for Pattie, from our guests. If Layna wasn''t up to something, what was she doing in there?"


    Anastasia fixed Layna with a hard stare. "After all these years, you still haven''t changed—always picking fights with Pattie. Why do you always have to make


    trouble?"


    Anastasia had known Layna since she was little-vain, hot-tempered, always scheming. She even remembered that time Layna had led Pattie off just to ditch her. Of all the kids Anastasia had ever met, Layna was the worst-so bad it was almost unbelievable.


    Juliana was at a loss for words. She already regretted what she''d blurted out, and her regret only deepened as Herman and Scott appeared in the doorway, drawn by themotion. They''d heard everything.


    Scott''s face darkened; he felt like wringing Juliana''s neck. Spoiling Layna was one thing, but picking now to shoot her mouth off? She was practically dragging the whole Stranz family down with her.


    With Herman and Scott now in the room, the otherdies quickly stepped aside, eager to see how the drama would unfold.


    Now that Ms. Stranz had been caught in the gift room, everyone was thinking the same thing: this is the kind of kid she is. The gossip would spread, and from now on, Layna would be outcast from their circle.


    Pattie, already on the verge of tears,


    lost itpletely after Juliana''s


    insult. She was only eight, after all-words like that were more than she could take. Tears streamed down her face, tugging at even the coldest hearts in the room.


    Everyone''s sympathy swung firmly to Pattie''s side. After all, Layna had been


    found in the gift room, and there were broken valuables all over the floor.


    Herman strode in, his re like ice. "Are you saying, Mrs. Stranz, that my family has no manners?"


    The room fell silent. No one even dared breathe.


    Juliana''s face went white as she threw a desperate look at her husband.


    Scott looked equally lost, his face stiff with embarrassment. Normally, kids fighting could be smoothed over. But Juliana had blown it all up. If this got out, the Stranz and Salstrom families would be at odds, and their business-and their reputations-would take a hit.


    Scott swallowed hard and said, "Layna, apologize to Pattie. Right now."


    But Layna, still crying, protested, "Uncle, Pattie started it! I''m not a thief! I just wanted to look at her drawing-she tried to grab it back and ripped it herself!"


    Scott felt like he was going to explode. This could''ve been dealt with so easily, but Layna just had to dig in her heels.


    He shot Juliana a look, urging her to apologize too.


    Juliana forced a shaky smile. "Mr.


    Salstrom, I got a little worked up. Seeing my child hurt, I wasn''t thinking straight or asking the right questions. But Layna''s a good girl she''d never steal. Kids fight sometimes, it''s normal. Let''s just put this behind us, alright? No need for the adults to get involved."


    Even now, Juliana couldn''t stop defending Layna.


    Scott''s expression was pure thunder. Hopeless.


    Herman nced at the lump swelling on Pattie''s forehead, his eyes cold. "No, I''m not letting this slide, Mrs. Stranz. Mr. Stranz, I want to hear how you''re going to handle this."