But to hide the fact that she was afraid, she roared, "How dare you order me! Who do you think you are?" Deep inside, she thought angrily,

‘after all that you've put my daughter through, I must get back at you today.' To avoid the unnecessary confrontation, Debbie tried to wriggle her way out. But Blanche raised a hand and gave her two heavy slaps across the face.

Taken by surprise, Debbie moved two steps back, trying to steady herself. The sharp pain almost made her crouch, except, she knew that would be inexpedient, in case Blanche attacked her again. Feeling her face with her right hand, she feared she might nose-bleed. Meanwhile, in panic, Kristina had quickly run to the rest area to find Jared and

Gregory.

As Debbie realized she was alone and Blanche was watching her, as if planning another surprise attack, she decided to hit back. In one fell swoop, she grabbed Blanche's right hand, twisting it with such force that the middle-aged woman groaned.

In the middle of their scuffle, Debbie reached for a nearby mobile rack on which hung only one dress. Briefly, she let her hold off Blanche's hand, threw the dress on the table a short distance away and darted forward, hitting Blanche in her face.

Just then, Gregory and Jared hurried inside the shop. They winced what they saw. The rack Landed on Blanche with a thwack.

“Aargh!" Blanche screamed.

At once, Gregory wanted to jump in and separate them, but Jared stopped him.

“That woman is Hayden's mother, Debbie's former ‘mother-in-law. *‘

Don't meddle in their family affairs," he whispered.

“Are you kidding me?" Gregory rolled his eyes. All along he had known that Hayden was only Debbie's ex-boyfriend. Was Jared hinting at something? Why would he make it sound like Debbie had been married to

Hayden?

Although Carlos was no Longer by Debbie's side, Blanche had forgotten one fact-Debbie was never a pushover. If anything, her time with

Carlos, had only made her more arrogant. Poor Blanche was messing with the wrong person.

Besides, from the series of unlucky events, Debbie had lately been in a terrible mood. This was the last straw that broke the camel's back. In a fierce inferno, her anger erupted, hotter than any dragon has ever flamed. By now she was raining blows on poor Blanche with the mobile rack. Defenselessly, Blanche wiggled on the floor, screaming like a banshee for help.

However, all the saleswomen and customers in the shop simply Looked on.

They had seen Blanche start the fight. While she railed at Debbie with expletives, Debbie had tried her best to not to answer back. Even when she broke free, after the woman took her by the scruff, Debbie had stood a few meters away, without any intention of attacking. Had

Blanche left it at that, the onlookers were sure, Debbie would have simply walked away.

What a mean, unreasonable woman for her age! Now as she wailed and pleaded for help, some onlookers just laughed it off.

“That madam made her bed, now let her lie in it," remarked one of the saleswomen dismissively. The rich Lady who had accompanied Blanche to do shopping wanted to intervene, but she knew better not to get involved. As she watched, flinching with every blow, she turned to Jared and Gregory with pleading eyes, but they ignored her, pretending to converse between themselves.

‘How aloof have our young men become?' she wondered. ‘What are they talking about when someone is on the floor and in need of help?" she threw her hands in frustration and cursed inwardly. At that moment

Debbie relented her blows, panting like a horse from racing. Blanche still lay on the floor in a heap, her bruises swelling and her voice so hoarse from screaming. Flinching, she covered her head with her hands, afraid Debbie might land another blow. It took her a moment or so to realize that her assailant had stepped back. Timidly, she raised her head, feeling lost. She regretted her foolish move. Why had she attacked Debbie? She Looked around in confusion; the boring eyes of the onlookers made her wish the earth could open up and swallow her. Debbie threw the rack to one side, pointed at Blanche and told one of the saleswomen, “Get that woman from the floor and let her compensate for all the damages before she leaves this place. It's all her fault."

The saleswoman nodded her head repeatedly in fear. Debbie tidied her clothes and looked down at Blanche, who was now lying on the floor, gasping for air.

"Carlos used to protect me. Although he's gone, I'm still here. Don't get in my way again," she warned coldly.