At the harsh tone, Evelyn narrowed her eyes slightly. She lowered her head and focused on wringing out the dirty water soaking her clothes. Whatever she felt stayed buried behind her lashes.
From the living room couch, a woman let out a cold laugh. "Mom, you've got it wrong. She was born before Uncle Matthew even married. She's an illegitimate daughter. This is the Dale estate, not some shelter that takes in trash off the street."
"Get out of here! If you don't leave, I'll shoot you!" A boy around seven lifted a toy water gun and pointed it straight at Evelyn's face.
Before she could step back, a blast of cold water hit her head and splashed down her face.
She reacted on instinct and raised her hand to cover her eyes. Cold water slid down her cheeks and neck, soaking her again.
When she lowered her hand and looked up, the warmth in her eyes was gone.
"Did you see that? Even a child can't stand you. Stop standing there and leave." The woman on the couch, Hannah Dale, continued her sarcastic taunts, while her mother, Emely Dale, didn't bother stopping the boy and watched with open disdain as he kept spraying water at Evelyn.
Something dark settled in Evelyn's gaze. She stepped forward without hesitation and pulled the toy gun from the boy's hands.
The instant it left his grip, he broke into loud sobs.
Evelyn turned back slowly. There was no trace of hurt on her face, only a quiet, cutting calm.
Emely strode over and jabbed a finger toward Evelyn. "You're even picking on a child now? Have you no shame?"
Hannah folded her arms and sneered, "What else can you expect from country people? No manners at all. Evelyn Mason, right? If you've got any sense, you'll leave right now."
Evelyn's eyes stayed dark. She turned the toy gun over in her hand, then aimed it forward and pulled the trigger. Water sprayed straight at Emely and the boy.
Emely froze for a split second. She clearly hadn't thought Evelyn would fight back. Then she shrieked and threw her arms up, trying to block the water splashing across her face and clothes.
Evelyn didn't stop. She had been drenched in water, so she saw no reason to hold back.
"Evelyn! How dare you? Do you even know who I am? I'm Matthew's sister. I'm your aunt. You should be apologizing to me and showing some respect!" Emely shouted, shaking with fury.
Evelyn lifted her brow slightly. "My aunt? Since when does an aunt welcome her niece by drenching her?"
Then she paused as if something had just crossed her mind. "And you should probably get one thing straight. This house is already under my name. If anyone needs to leave, it's not me."
Emely's expression twisted. She clenched her teeth so hard her jaw tightened. "That's ridiculous! I've lived here for more than ten years. This is our home!"
A quiet laugh slipped from Evelyn. "However long you've stayed doesn't change the ownership. I own this place now. Should I call the police and have you escorted out?"
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, no one spoke.
The little boy, who had been hiding behind Emely, suddenly shoved past her. His eyes were red with anger as he rushed toward Evelyn. "You're horrible! I'll bite you to death!"
His small, stocky body barreled forward. He opened his mouth wide and aimed straight for Evelyn's arm, determined to force her out.
Evelyn looked down at him, and a cold curve touched her lips.
She watched his path for a brief second. Then she lifted her leg without hesitation and kicked him away.
A heavy thud echoed as his short body hit the floor.
