---- Chapter 267 As she spoke, Jenna tugged lightly at the hem of her dress, as if the rest of what she had to say was too embarrassing to voice. Wendy froze for a moment. Her eyes dropped to that subtle gesture, and her expression instantly turned grim. She got it-Jenna was implying that Ethan had lifted her skirt. Wendy's brow furrowed sharply. Her voice was cold.

"Ifhe really did something like that, then what he owes you is an apology, not punishment." She wasn't saying Ethan was incapable of such behavior. But at the very least, he'd never acted out like that when she'd been by his side. Now, with no one looking after him properly -just James, who barely parented, and Jenna-it wasn't impossible he'd been influenced. Even so, she wouldn't let it slide if it were true. Jenna's face flushed, and she put on an understanding act.

"I just didn't want to hurt his self-esteem, so I told James to go easy on him. He's still just a kid. What he did was inappropriate, but it's understandable." "It's not understandable!" Wendy snapped, walking past her. "And I'm going to find out exactly what happened." She wasn't about to ignore it now that she was here. Thankfully, it wasn't a medical emergency -it seemed Ethan ---- wasn't hurt, just crying. Panic flashed across Jenna's face. She grabbed Wendy's arm." What are you doing?

You're just going to barge in and make everything worse. Let James handle it!" Wendy stopped in her tracks and turned slowly, towering over her. "You said it was understandable . So why are you suddenly so worried about James letting it go?" Jenna's eyes flickered. "I just mean... even if I can understand it, he still needs to learn it was wrong." Mary came over with a disapproving scowl. "Wendy, this is exactly why Ethan won't listen to you.

He's just a child, yet he's already developing such dirty thoughts. It's because you did a terrible job raising him!" Asharp pain flashed through Wendy's chest. She might've been able to take it if a stranger had said that, but hearing it from her own mother only confirmed what Wendy had always suspected-she was never the one who was truly loved. Still, that wave of hurt passed in an instant. She had already cut emotional ties with the Sanders family.

Whatever Mary said at that point didn't get to her anymore. Wendy didn't even bother replying. She kept her eyes fixed on Jenna. "Spare me the act. Let go, or don't blame me for what happens next." ---- Jenna's brows lifted. Her face still looked pitiful, but there was a glint of provocation in her eyes. "Don't scare me, Wendy. I was just -" Before she could finish, Wendy forcefully yanked her arm away. But that didn't seem enough, so she pushed her hard.

Caught off guard, Jenna stumbled backward. She reached instinctively for the stair rail but missed her footing and landed square on her backside. It was only one step, and she wasn't really hurt, but she immediately burst into tears. "You... How could you? Iwas only trying to-" Wendy cut her off with a cold sneer. "Save it for when James comes downstairs . What's the point of performing for your mother? You've always been the favorite. Do you really think she'd take my side?" Without sparing Mary a glance, Wendy turned and stormed up the stairs.