In A World Without Color, You Were My Miracle

With Vincent standing beside her, Brenna felt steady. "That's right, Noreen. You said you receive two hundred thousand monthly as pocket money. You wouldn't bat an eye transferring eight hundred thousand to me."

Since Brenna returned home, Noreen had never missed a chance to show off how favored she was, whether directly or indirectly. Since Noreen enjoyed boasting about it, Brenna decided to let her prove it.

Shock registered on every face in the room. No one missed what Vincent's stance meant. He had just made it clear that Brenna was under his protection.

"I... I really don't have that much money," Noreen said as tears streamed down her face. Her allowance was only fifty thousand a month, and she spent it without restraint. Every credit card she owned had already hit its limit. Even coming up with eight thousand would've been difficult for her.

Lowering her voice, Sarah spoke through clenched teeth. "Brenna, don't think you can demand anything you want just because the Todd family is backing you."

Sarah couldn't accept it. It was one thing for Brenna to know Hayley, but how could someone so unattractive catch Vincent's eye?

Sarah hissed, "Brenna, just tell Mr. Todd you don't need the eight hundred thousand. At most, we'll treat you to a meal later." As she spoke, she sent a message to Jeremy Walsh, urging him to come immediately. As Brenna's older brother, he could restrain her.

Brenna's eyes lacked their former warmth. "Mom, I don't want to dine with you again."

A faint, sarcastic smile appeared on her lips. She had once given this family her whole heart, and they crushed it without hesitation. If the lovely couple who had raised her for years were still around, they would've been heartbroken for her.

"You!" Anger tightened Sarah's chest. At that moment, she was convinced Brenna was exactly what that mysterious person had described—an ungrateful wretch.

Rage burned in Sam's chest, yet with Vincent standing there, he didn't dare explode. "Noreen doesn't get that much pocket money each month," he said stiffly. "Asking for eight hundred thousand is too much."

A strained smile spread across his face as he tried to ease the tension. "We're family, and talking about money can strain our relationship. Brenna, if Noreen made a mistake, I can have her apologize to you."

Attempting to diffuse the situation, Sarah moved closer, trying to grab Brenna's hand. "That's right, Brenna. We're family. Let's not fuss over these things..."

Brenna stepped back and sidestepped Sarah's extended hand. "This isn't for me to decide," she said evenly. "It was Mr. Todd who suggested you compensate me. If you insist on using family ties to settle it, people might say you're taking advantage of him."

Brenna couldn't forget that since her childhood, Sarah had avoided touching her as if she were something unpleasant. She never understood why Jeremy received praise and Noreen received affection, while she received nothing.

Frustration flared in Sarah's eyes. "That's not what I meant..."

Felix, observing the scene, was taken aback. Leaning toward Vincent, he murmured, "Brenna is nothing like the rumors. Wasn't it said she dropped out of high school and was utterly dumb? Yet, she seems quite sharp."

What struck him most was how she used the Todd family's influence as a shield to stand her ground.

Vincent studied Brenna with a thoughtful look. The hopeless fool people described clearly didn't match the woman in front of him.

The direction of the exchange unsettled Sam, and he immediately directed his anger toward Sarah. That's enough. With Mr. Todd and everyone else watching, just transfer the eight hundred thousand and end this."

Sarah felt as if her chest might burst. Eight hundred thousand was no small sum. Over the years, every spare cent had gone into shaping Noreen into a polished young lady. Piano lessons, dance training, tuition at elite schools. None of it came cheap.

A trace of ridicule surfaced in Brenna's eyes as she spoke again. "Mom, you always say money isn't everything and that life matters more. You locked me in the warehouse and let the fire burn years back. Did a few hundred thousand make up for that?"

Since returning to the Walsh family last month, Brenna had faced nothing but pressure and humiliation. While enduring it, she quietly reopened the investigation into her disappearance years ago. Bit by bit, new evidence surfaced, and it pointed straight at Sarah as the one who shut her inside that burning warehouse.

Color drained from Sarah's face as if lightning had struck her. "What ridiculous lies are you making up?"

Disbelief overwhelmed Sarah. Brenna had only been three at the time. A child that young shouldn't remember anything.

Brenna's words unsettled everyone present. Could a mother truly try to burn her own daughter alive?

Cold resolve settled into Vincent's expression. "Felix, look into it," he instructed.

Without hesitation, Felix stepped aside and began making calls.

Panic gripped Sarah when she noticed Sam's uncertainty. "Honey, don't listen to her nonsense!" she cried out. "I gave birth to her. Why would I ever hurt my own child? She must've picked up those twisted ideas from the couple in that backwater town!"

Those buried memories clawed their way back to the surface, and being forced to face them filled Sarah with anger and panic.

Fury overtook Sarah as she glared at Brenna. "Do you even still see me as your mother?" Her hand flew up, aiming for Brenna's face.

Before the strike could land, Brenna caught her wrist with steady strength. Her gaze sharpened. "The couple you mentioned taught me integrity, not hypocrisy like yours."

Brenna could endure rejection directed at herself, but she wouldn't stand by while anyone insulted the people who had raised her.

A crisp sound rang out in the tense silence.