?


    It appeared that Thelma was the one responsible for sshing Imogen with dirty water.


    With her face twisted in anger, Thelma viciously shouted, "Imogen, tell your mother that if she ever dares to bother my son again, I''ll make you suffer. Let''s see who can be more ruthless."


    Suppressing her emotions, Imogen silently wiped the dirty water from her face.


    Thelma and her husband, Henry Kingsley, had forcefully taken possession of their family homestead, but Imogen chose not to intervene.


    Despite the ongoing conflicts between Imogen''s parents and Thelma''s family, she opted to stay out of the fray. Even as tensions between the two families escted into legal battles, Imogen remained aloof.


    Imogen was well aware of how these individuals preyed upon her family''s vulnerabilities-her father''s disability, her mother''s limited education, and her ownck of academic qualifications, financial resources, and skills.


    Despite enduring their constant bullying in the past, being directly drenched with dirty water was a step too far. Enough was enough.


    Imogen''s life seemed like a never ending series of cmities-her family''s homestead had been piged, her educational opportunities were stolen, and even the man she loved was torn from her grasp.


    Was she fated to endure such perpetual misfortune?


    In a surge of fury, Imogen stormed toward Thelma, grabbing her forcefully by the hair and dragging her toward the nearby gutter.


    "Ah! It hurts!" Thelma''s cries echoed in the air. Believing Imogen to be an easy target, Thelma had dropped her guard, leaving herself vulnerable and unable to retaliate immediately.


    Imogen''s movements were swift and almost too fast to track. With a firm hold on Thelma''s hair, Imogen propelled her into the murky waters of the shallow ditch nearby.


    The foul odor from the stagnant water assaulted their senses, intensifying Thelma''s outrage as she plunged into its depths.


    Thelma''s screams reverberated through the silent moming, attracting curious onlookers from neighboring houses.


    As Thelma disappeared beneath the water''s surface, she put on a facade of victimhood, crying out and pretending to be distressed to gain sympathy.


    Amidst themotion, usatory nces and murmured conversations swirled around Imogen, casting her as the antagonist in this neighborhood drama.


    Imogen gritted her teeth, her words aimed like daggers at Thelma. "The truth is undeniable you stole my family''s homestead.


    Though we may never reim what''s been taken, a semnce of remorse is warranted. Do


    not mistake my patience for weakness. Push me too far, and your entire family will know no peace."


    Under the weight of Imogen''s intensity, Thelma wilted.


    Running her fingers through her damp locks, Imogen continued, "Maintaining virtue is crucial in life. Otherwise, karma will inevitably catch up with you."


    As Imogen turned to leave, she discovered herself surrounded by neighbors and curious onlookers. Moving through the crowd, Imogen was met with sympathetic and concerned gazes.


    Suddenly, her steps faltered as she came face to face with a couple, their hands intertwined.


    The man exuded sophistication, his thoughtful gaze framed by sses. Beside him stood a woman adorned in extravagant attire, her pregnancy evident. Clutching the man''s hand, she fixed Imogen with a challenging and hostile stare,


    Imogen froze, her gaze locked in a silent confrontation with theirs.


    Standing before her were Ethan, the man she once adored, and her former confidante and best friend, Scarlett Ramirez. Worry etched Ethan''s face, his caring gaze filled with concern.


    Meanwhile, Scarlett''s brow furrowed in confusion. "Imogen, what''s happened? Why are you soaked?"


    Imogen greeted them with a sheepish smile. ''Good morning, Ethan and Scarlett! I should probably head home to change my clothes."


    As she passed them by, Ethan turned anxiously, reaching out. "Imo


    But before he could continue, Scarlett promptly pulled him back, her voice lowered in a stem reminder, "Imo? Remember, you''re a married man."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Ethan held himself back, his tone soft as he exined, "I just wanted to check on her as a friend."


    Scarlett scoffed, her hand instinctively moving to her belly as she stared at him coldly. "Don''t think I''m blind to your intentions, Ethan. Let me be clear-you''re my husband now, so drop that idea."


    Gritting his teeth, Ethan shrugged off Scarlett''s hand. "This is absurd," he muttered under his breath. Without hesitation, he hurried after Imogen.


    Furious, Scarlett clutched her stomach protectively, tears welling up as she paced back and forth. "Ethan, stop right there!" she eximed.


    Disregarding his pregnant wife''s pleas, Ethan chased after Imogen up the stairs of her old house, his breaths ragged as he called out, "Imogen!"