My Mother Killed Me For Her Stepdaughter novel Chapter 42

Daniel, still high on the police's statement, didn't notice the menace in my tone. He was too busy capitalizing on the opportunity to dig me deeper into the ground.

"You all heard it, right?" he said, addressing the crowd. "Claire took her own life because of Ella. And just now, in front of everyone, she even hit me! Do you need any more proof of her cruelty? I've done everything I could to protect the company, sacrificing so much. But she? She drove Claire to her death."

Sophia chimed in, taking the chance to pile on.

"Claire must have been in such despair. She even called me before she died—that recording is all the evidence you need. Ella, you won't escape justice."

Using the recording as justification, the police escorted me to the station for questioning. As I was led through the angry crowd, the objects they had held back before came flying toward me—food scraps, bottles, anything within reach.

The police officers tried to shield me, but they weren't spared either. One officer was hit so hard he started bleeding.

As I was taken away, I overheard Daniel promising to take over Claire's estate and run the company to ensure no employees would lose their jobs. He vowed to give Claire the grand funeral she deserved.

At the station, I learned someone had anonymously submitted documents to the police, accusing me of illegally transferring the company's ownership. I laughed coldly as I watched the officers work. The lengths they were willing to go to destroy me were almost impressive.

On my birthday, Daniel held a lavish funeral for Claire. The police accompanied me to the service, citing humanitarian reasons.

At the funeral, former colleagues and business partners who had once been friendly to me now looked at me with nothing but disdain.

"How does she have the audacity to show up here? Claire will never rest in peace with her around."

"She ruined the company. Thank God Daniel is stepping up—maybe he can save what's left."

As he walked past me, he stopped briefly, leaning in to whisper, "Thank you for coming, Ella. Everyone here knows the truth now. Claire's death is on you."

He turned back to the crowd, his voice rising dramatically.

"Thank you all for coming to honor Claire today. She was a kind and genuine soul. It's tragic that such a person was ultimately destroyed by her own sister."

"She was constantly belittled, even physically attacked, by Ella. Such a bright, sunny person, reduced to severe depression by her own sibling."

"And even that wasn't enough for Ella. She sold the company, the very heart of Claire's life. That's what drove her to this. But rest assured, karma always finds its way."