I'd always been sharp, with a knack for business. I'd helped my older sister, Ashley Lewis, with numerous projects, streamlining our family enterprise. Plus, our family business is matriarchal, with women holding significant power.
Ashley had always wanted me as her heir. She thought of me often but couldn't step away from work. The long-awaited bag finally arrived, and she had Leonard bring it to me.
Seeing my silence, Rebecca grew more smug. She turned to her "justice warriors" with a triumphant smile.
"Cat got your tongue, you slut?
"Get up here and rip this homewrecker's face apart! Teach her a lesson for shamelessly seducing men at her age!"
At her command, the already enraged "justice warriors" swarmed the stage, shoving aside the faculty. They started tearing at my clothes right there on the auditorium stage.
Punches and kicks flew. They even turned on bright lights to photograph my tear-stained face.
My eyes blazing with fury, I spat out each word.
"Back off, Rebecca. Leonard is my nephew! You're going to regret this!"
The auditorium fell eerily silent. The girls at the forefront, who'd been tearing at my clothes, froze mid-action, turning to Rebecca with questioning looks.