Chapter 3 Grandma Actually Raised a Murderer

Nolan saw Charles wasn't budging and didn't dare push him any further. He was already scheming about how to handle the mess if Diana actually kicked the bucket.

In the stifling silence, Diana realized with a sinking heart that no one present would come to her rescue.

All Diana could do now was save her own skin. She couldn't break free, but at least she could still talk.

Diana locked eyes with Charles and said, "What's the point of offing me? Nolan said it himself, there are tons of people watching you. Sure, killing me is a piece of cake, but cleaning up the mess? Not so much. Even if I'm dead, I'll still be a pain in your ass."

Charles was used to Diana being all meek and scared, so her bold stare was a shock. And her eyes were so intense, it was pissing him off.

"You think I'm scared of those people? A woman like you should've been dead ages ago," Charles shot back, not giving a damn.

Feeling Charles's grip tighten, Diana thought, 'Oh crap.'

She continued, "You think I wanted to marry you? It was Juniper! She loved me and made you marry me. But what did you do? Not long after Juniper died, you wanna strangle me. Fine, after I die, I'll tell her you are a killer!"

These were Sophia's real feelings, not those of the body's owner, 'cause Diana actually liked Charles.

But whatever, she had finally come back to life. She'd be strangled again before she could get justice for the body's rightful owner, Diana.

Yet, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of frustration—this was an indignity she had never endured while alive. The thought crossed her mind: if she had managed to be reborn once, did that mean there was a possibility she could be reborn again if she were to die a second time?

Thinking of this, Sophia burst out laughing. In such a tense moment, her laughter was totally out of place.

Charles stopped what he was doing because of her laughter. "What the hell are you laughing at?" he asked.

Diana fired back, "What? Mad that I'm laughing when I'm about to die? Yeah, if you're pissed, then I'm happy. I'll keep laughing. Come on, go ahead, choke me. Haven't seen my mom and Juniper in ages. I'll say hi to them for you."

With that, she grabbed Charles's hand and lifted it. Her mouth curved into a bright smile, looking like she was ready to face death.

The grip on her neck got tighter, and Diana could barely keep her smile. Her vision started to blur, but Charles suddenly let her go.

"Disgusting," Charles spat.

Diana crumpled to the ground like a rag doll, losing all her previous composure. She gulped down fresh air, savoring every second of being alive.

Nolan saw Charles let go and knew Diana would make it. He also breathed a sigh of relief and handed Charles a wet wipe.

Charles took the wipe and scrubbed his hands several times.

Clara, who had been silent, finally spoke, trembling, "I'm sorry, Mr. Percy. I was too worried about Diana stealing stuff. I checked slowly, giving her a chance to stall."

Nolan chimed in, "It's my fault for not keeping an eye on Ms. Spencer's departure."

Diana coughed a few times, struggling to her feet. She looked genuinely pitiful, her disheveled state starkly different from Clara's usual acting.

She stumbled, "I... I didn't steal your stuff."

Charles, arching an eyebrow, tossed the used wet wipe at her feet disdainfully. "Don't you get what 'take nothing with you' means? Which of the things on you wasn't bought with my money? How dare you say that?"

Diana didn't expect Charles to be so petty, but it was true. Clara had thrown out Diana's clothes right after they got married.

The reason? Her clothes were too tacky, and Charles wouldn't like them.

But really, what Charles didn't like was Diana herself, no matter how she dressed.

Diana had no comeback and slowly started taking off her clothes. "As you wish, I'll take nothing with me."

Seeing Diana's actions, Charles looked like he'd seen something gross, quickly leaving and saying, "Nolan, toss her out. Don't let her take anything from the Percy Family, and don't make me say it again."

After Charles stormed out, Clara dropped her pretentious mask and sneered, "Diana, you really have no shame. Stripping in front of everyone to try and seduce Mr. Percy? Didn't expect him to find you gross now, did you?"

Diana thought Clara must be out of her mind. Couldn't she read the room?

Diana had almost been choked to death; seducing anyone was the last thing on her mind. Clara was truly nuts.

Clara was feeling smug. For the past two years, Diana had done everything she said. She always told Diana that men liked bold and sexy women.

So Diana dressed provocatively and kept trying to catch Charles's eye.

Clara also said Diana was too skinny, and men liked women with curves. So Diana tried hard to gain weight, often eating until she felt sick, but she didn't gain much.

Nolan turned his back and said coldly, "Ms. Spencer, don't make this harder for us."

Diana didn't stop undressing but shot Clara a contemptuous smile. It was like she was gearing up for a fight, not stripping.

Her smile was unbearable for Clara.

"Do you really think that by pulling out all the stops, Mr. Percy will fall for you?" Clara snapped.

Diana had already taken off her top, leaving only her underwear. Hearing Clara's words, she paused before saying, "I was foolish before, letting you play me. But do you think now that I'm divorced, you can win Charles? Clara, you're just like your mom, desperate to be a mistress."

Maybe Clara's own words had struck a nerve. As she looked up and saw the red marks across Diana's face, her eyes blazed with fury. She raised her hand to slap Diana, but Diana caught her wrist just in time.

Clara yelled, "Even if you look like this, Mr. Percy still doesn't like you! Besides, you're already divorced. It's only natural for me to be with him."

"Seems like your mom always told you how glamorous it is to be Mrs. Percy, but it all depends on whether you're worthy. You, an illegitimate child, want to become Mrs. Percy? Ridiculous! Nolan, am I right?" Diana's words were sharp and piercing.

Actually, Charles was also an illegitimate child, but he was born when his father was unmarried, and his mother didn't break up any family.

Clara, overestimating herself, thought they were a good match because they were both illegitimate. But she never considered the standing of the Percy family. Ridiculous.

Nolan didn't want to hear more of the women's bickering and said, "Ms. Spencer, hurry up."

Clara was fuming. "Don't forget you're already divorced, and Mrs. Juniper Percy is dead. Once you leave the Percy Family, no one will protect you. If you beg me now, I can ask my dad to let you come home."

Diana's whole body hurt, but she couldn't show weakness now. If Clara knew she was in pain, she'd definitely keep hurting her.

Diana stated firmly, "I have my own body. I can live just fine outside the Percy Family. But you, always feeling inferior because of your status, liked to bully me at home to satisfy your twisted mind."

She paused, cold sweat dripping from her forehead, and forced a pale, mocking smile. "After I got married, you tried to use your mom's tricks. But Charles didn't fall for it, so you targeted me, making him hate me more and more. If I die here today, you won't be blameless."

Clara angrily shook off her hand, her face full of rage after being exposed. Ignoring the people around, she slapped Diana hard, knocking her down.

She shouted, "Stop pretending to be so noble, Diana! You might as well be dead! Without the Percy family, you're worthless, yet you still dare to act all high and mighty?"

Clara wasn't about to let Diana off the hook. She grabbed a fistful of Diana’s hair, yanking it harshly.

Yet, Diana's eyes burned with an intensity that startled Clara. She locked her gaze on Clara, her look filled with disdain as if she was staring at a mere insect.