Chapter 3 The Slap That Never Came " What did you just say ? " Russell stared at her like he couldn't believe his ears . Even Wade froze . +10 Free Coins " I said - why should I apologize ? This isn't the Middle Ages . Are you really going to punish your daughter like a criminal ? " Tilda's voice was calm , almost too calm . Her eyes were steady and cold , revealing almost nothing . But deep down , there was a spark - one that had nothing to do with the Jensons . She'd given up on them long ago When love dies , hatred goes with it .. Her anger was now with herself . She thought of her past . Back then , when Russell told her to apologize , she did - scared and desperate . When they accused her of baseless things , she tried again and again to explain , but no one ever listened . As soon as Kyla cried , Wade slapped her . She had apologized again and again , terrified they would hate her . Terrified to lose what little she thought she had . Even with blood in her mouth and shame in her eyes , she took the blame for something she didn't do . Why ? Why had she been such a fool and lived without pride ? Tilda's fury was with the girl she used to be , " Well , well , " Russell said sharply . " Look at you - grown up now , huh ? Talking back to me ? " His temper flared . He raised his hand , ready to strike- O O 1/5 23:11 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 3 The Slap That Never Came But Kyla stepped in . " Dad ! No ! " Her voice cut through the air , stopping him mid - swing . Blair turned in shock . " Kyla , you ... 39 、 78 % 1 +10 Free Coins Kyla broke down , sobbing so hard it seemed like she could collapse at any moment . " Don't hit her ! Please don't ! She's your real daughter ! " Those words - your real daughter - pulled Russell back . His gaze returned to Tilda , full of conflicting emotions . He didn't want to admit it , but this cold , ungrateful , stubborn girl was his flesh and blood . And still ... how could she be so wicked ? " Let's just talk ," Blair said shakily . " No need for this to get violent ." As much as it hurt to see Kyla cry , Tilda was still her biological daughter . " Kyla , you're too good , " Wade muttered , his voice tight . Watching Kyla take the burn , she would rather be wounded and broken just to side with Tilda . Wade felt like his heart was being cut to pieces . Why ? Why couldn't Kyla be his real sister ? Why did it have to be Tilda - the one who was so cruel ? It just wasn't fair . Russell took a deep breath , forcing his temper back down . He kept his voice even . " Tilda , do understand what you you did wrong ? " " Not really . " The reply was quick and sharp . Everyone froze . This wasn't the girl they knew . She wasn't timid . She wasn't trying to earn anyone's approval . She wasn't trying to please them . She was different . " YOU DON'T KNOW ? " Russell repeated , each word cutting through the air like a whip . O 4 O 2/5 23 . Sep 8% Chapter 3 The Slap That Never Came " I don't , " Tilda said again , clear and steady . If he wanted her to repeat it , she would . As many times as he needed . She doesn't know . +10 Free Coins Her dark eyes locked on his , deep and unreadable . For a second , a chill slid down Russell's spine . He had never seen that look in her before . She didn't even seem like the same person . Russell Jenson had once been the proud and celebrated chairman of the Jenson Group . A veteran in the business world , he had spent a lifetime navigating high - stakes deals and meeting every kind of person imaginable . Even now , with his sons grown and running the company and himself long retired from the front lines , the sharp instincts he had honed over the years had hardly faded . " Mom , Dad , please stop this , " Kyla whispered through her tears , moving closer to Tilda . " Kyla , stay away from her ! " Russell reached for her , worried she might get hurt - worried Tilda might lash out again . For a brief moment , something ached in Tilda's chest . But she let it . Wounds healed . Eventually . She had seen this family for what it was . She no longer hoped for anything from them . And she would never bend again just to keep the peace . " Tilda , " Kyla sobbed , turning toward her . " I know you're the real daughter . I'm so sorry . You've had to live here pretending to be some distant relative because of me . you couldn't even use your real name ! " I'm sorry that She clutched her chest , gasping for air . " You can have it all back - your name , your place . I don't want anything . If me being here makes you uncomfortable , I'll leave . I'll move out . I'll disappear . You'll never have to see me again ! " Her tears flowed freely . She looked so fragile . So heartbroken . Blair couldn't hold back anymore . Her eyes turned red , and tears began sliding down her cheeks , one after another . " No one's kicking you out , " Russell said firmly . " Kyla , I don't care if Tilda's my biological daughter . You're my daughter too . Blood doesn't change that . You'll always be a Jenson . " O 4 ||| O 3/5 Chapter 3 The Slap That Never Came " Dad ! " Kyla cried , collapsing into his arms . " Dad , I'm scared ! I'm so scared ! " " It's okay , " Russell whispered , holding her tight . " I'm here . No one you ." Then he turned a murderous glare on Tilda . Map Can hurt 78 % +10 Free Coins Whatever doubts he'd had were gone . Kyla's tears had turned his guilt into pure rage again . But Tilda didn't flinch . She stood off to the side , silent and untouched , as if none of this had anything to do with her - like she was just watching a play . " Tilda ! " Wade burst out . " Do you even have a heart ? you think you owe Kyla an apology ? Tell her you're you see what's happening ? Don't right now ! " Wade couldn't take it anymore . He stepped forward , eyes blazing , staring her down . Tilda almost laughed . Her eyes , cold and mocking , locked on him . She didn't say a word , but her look said plenty . And Wade felt it - like she was judging him . Belittling him . She was the sister he had never accepted . The one he'd wished was dead . Furious , he yanked out his phone and shoved it in her face . " Look at what you did ! Don't accuse us of blaming you for nothing ! o A bold headline filled the screen ; " Jenson's Real Heiress Revealed - Tilda Jenson's True Identity Exposed " The article told everything : how Tilda had been stolen from the hospital as a newborn , went missing for nineteen years , and finally returned to her family . The photos captured everything - Tilda walking in and out of the Jenson villa , snapshots , from her campus life , and shots of her at family events . Then came the second headline : " What Happens to the Adopted Daughter Now ? " The internet exploded . Comments flooded in : " Real heiress vs. fake heiress - this is getting juicy . " " Rich people drama at its finest . " O 4 ||| O 4/5 20 Sep Chapter 3 The Slap That Never Came " No way - Jenson Group's stock is actually going up over this ." X78 % +10 Free Coins " They really adore Kyla . She's always at family events , always gorgeous , and treated like royalty . " " The real one's pretty too , not gonna lie ." " But she doesn't have the same presence . Kyla's way more refined . Tilda probably had a rough life , and it shows ." Tilda barely glanced at the screen . Not a single emotion crossed her face . " So what ? " she spoke flatly .