"I lived with you in that rundown alley until I was eight years old. Even now, I still feel nauseated thinking about the smell of that filthy drain. If you''ve forgotten, I haven''t. If you want to reminisce about the past, go ahead, but don''t drag me with you!" eximed Sadie.


    Karen, forgetting her pregnancy for a moment, stood up and rushed to Sadie, attempting to cover her mouth. "Have you gone mad? Watch your words. When have I ever met up with him? Rita was just asking; she didn''t mean anything by it. I haven''t had any contact with him for years. Considering how he treated me and you back then, why would I even want to contact him?"


    Rita watched the drama unfold, realizing Esmond''s influence was more significant than she thought. After all, just mentioning his name caused Karen and Sadie to fight among themselves!


    It seemed Sadie indeed cared a lot about the past, holding onto resentment even after so many years. It was understandable, though. For someone as vain as her, one''s background was crucial.


    Sadie once again shook off Karen''s hand. "Why should I be careful with what I''m saying? I''ll say it straight today: I''ll sever all ties with you if you dare to contact Esmond again. My surname is Russell, not Parr. Remember that!"


    After dropping these firm words, Sadie turned and left.


    Karen sank into her chair, visibly upset.


    "Karen, are you okay? You need to take care of yourself, especially since the baby is still growing. It would be troublesome if anything were to happen to the baby. Both you and Dad are looking forward to this baby, so you should take extra care of yourself!" said Rita.


    Karen cast Rita a resentful nce. "Since when do you care so much about me? bet you''re secretly wishing for something bad to happen to the baby. Unfortunately for you, I''ve always been in good health, and I''ll take good care of this baby. Just wait and see, this family will soon belong to the baby!" N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Rita did not even dignify her with a response. As Donna finished tidying up the outdoor table, Rita moved there.


    The Russell family was not originally just hers, and she never wanted topete with anyone. It was not because she did not want to but because she simply did not deign to. However, if someone insisted on forcibly taking something from her, that was another matter entirely.


    Karen had always been wary of Rita, afraid that she would swallow up the entire family fortune or that her father would give it all to her. Needless to say, she never once considered that only Rita had the right to inherit the family fortune


    since she was Vince''s bio ne


    daughter.


    ''Huh! Does Karen really think Sadie and the unborn baby are worthy contenders?'' thought Rita.


    However, she truly did not wish ill upon the baby in Karen''s belly. Regardless of the conflicts between the adults, the baby was innocent.


    After setting down the snacks, Donna did not immediately leave. Instead, she looked at Rita with concern. "You''ve been through a lot over the years. Since your mother left, you''ve had to endure all of Karen and Sadie''s mistreatment. It must''ve been very hard on you, hasn''t it?"


    Rita smiled and shook her head. "It''s nothing. I''m all grown up, so I can fight back and protect myself now You, on the other hand, don''t need to stand up for me anymore. There''ll be times when I''m not home, and I won''t be able to save you if they decide to take it out on you."