Chapter 306: Sisters against sisters, the eternal drama.
In an instant, Betty became pale. "What are you talking about? Of course I love my husband." She looked at Sienna, eyes pleading desperately. "See, this is what she does. She spreads rumors about me to make everyone that loves me hate me. I am tired of this kind of life. I left home because I had been pushed beyond what I could endure. Now she is back and the cycle is beginning all over again. I want a legal document allowing me to separate from my family and a restraining order against Happy Ardente."
Happy gasped. "Sister, how can you do that? I know you hate me, but what about our parents? How can you betray them too?"
Their father, seated in the middle, finally spoke. His voice was weary, but resolute. "Enough. I have watched this for years. Happy, you have wronged Betty countless times. You stole her admission ticket. You stole her job. You stole her fiance. You stole her jewelry, her savings, even her clothes. You spread rumors about her, set her up for all your mistakes and cursed her often. And now, you want her business and her husband. All these years, I have ignored it because you were born weak, but there has to be a limit. I cannot stand by any longer. Betty has my support. She may separate from this family legally if she wishes."
His wife tried to intervene but he stopped her with a look than any he had ever given her before.
Sienna leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "This is actually very simple then." She looked at Betty, "List them. Every grievance. It needs to be recorded legally."
Betty’s voice shook with clarity. She started with the wrongs she had already mentioned and added new ones. "She told neighbors I was adopted, that I was not truly my father’s daughter. She forged my signature to take out loans that I was forced to pay back. She even poisoned my cat, because it was a gift from father."
The room erupted in murmurs.
"What kind of enmity do you have to have with your sister t do such things?" Linera asked.
Happy wailed louder, clutching her belly. "Lies! All lies! She has no proof that I did any of these things."
Sienna’s voice cut through the noise. "Silence."
Betty’s exhaustion spilled over. "She tried to frame me for murder today. If she had lost her child, I would be on my way to prison right now. I cannot live like this. I cannot breathe when she is around. Every step I take, she drags me down. I want peace. Having someone like her in my life is a risk to my freedom and health. If I should have a mental break, it will be because of her. I don’t ever want to see her again. If you need evidence of what happened in my pharmacy, I can provide it. There are security cameras inside and outside."
Her mother gasped. "You have had evidence all along!"
Betty nodded. "After many years of being framed, I have learned to always be ready. I can prove Happy lied, not just about this but other things, over the years."
Mija received the evidence from Betty and projected the video fro everyone to see. All of it supported Betty. Seeing the other side of Happy was rather chilling. With the face of an angel, she could morph into a devil when she wanted.
When it was over, their father shook his head. "Do what you must Betty, send her to prison if you must. I am not protecting her anymore."
Happy’s sobs turned into shrieks. "Father! Why are you on her side?" She looked at her husband. "Are you on her side too?" Then she pointed to Betty. "Why? Why do you get to say that you never want to see me again? Why do you get to live better than me? You cannot abandon me! You are my sister. You must obey me. You must give me what I want. You must leave your husband. You must give me your business. You must--"
Sienna slammed her hand on the table. "Enough!"
Elias’s aura flared behind her, chilling the room. "This is madness," he said coldly. "One sister demands the life of another. This is not family. This is tyranny."
Sienna’s gaze swept the room. "Betty, you have your father’s support. You have your husband’s support. You may separate from your family. I will sign off on the restraining order but you need to submit it to the tribal security office and enforcer administration for further verification and proof. After it is issued, your sister will be arrested if she comes within twenty steps of you."
Elias nodded firmly. "Happy Ardente, your grievances are false. You are going to be punished for giving a false testimony before us. You will not take what is not yours. Any rumor that you start about Betty will be considered a crime going forward. I advise you to live your own life and focus on your child and family."
Sienna rose, her voice steady. "I am ruling in favor of Betty. The restraining order will not be against Happy only but you too, Mrs. Ardente. You can only see Betty if she wishes. You cannot demand for money or property from her."
Happy collapsed into sobs, clutching her belly. Her husband rushed to her side, trying to comfort her, though he knew deep down that it was useless. Happy was jealous of Betty, and obsessed with outdoing her. Nothing anyone said would cure her of this disease.
Mrs. Ardente collapsed too, crying loudly and cursing Betty for wanting to cut ties with her family.
Betty stood tall, tears streaming down her face, but her expression remained resolute. Her husband had a hand on her back, showing his support for her firmly. Mr. Ardente touched her shoulder, his support unwavering.
Sienna signed the papers, Mr. Ardente signed and Betty did the same. Elias also signed and handed the documents to Mika.
"Ask Timothy for help if there is a need for quick processing."
Sienna watched the family, her heart heavy. Family could be complicated, like Owena who grew up envying Orlena. But in their case, at least the sisters had been willing to protect each other at one point.
She sighed, wondering why she had bumped into another family drama while still dealing with her own. Sisters turned enemies, love twisted into envy. It was the beast world’s eternal drama.
As the sisters were escorted out, Sienna leaned back, exhaustion pressing down.
Elias touched her shoulder, steadying her. "Let’s go hone. You have done enough justice for the day. Your friend the queen has come to check on you. Princess Lina has come with her. I dread to think what damage the brat will do with her mouth."