Janet followed her gaze and saw Elvira in a tight mini skirt leaning against a man. They seemed to be arguing. Janet noticed a trendy-looking guy with a lip ring roughly tearing at Elvira’s clothes. The scene instantly reminded her of Ternence’s call—the Elvira she knew was bold but never promiscuous.
After a moment’s hesitation, Janet put down her glass and looked urgently at Manfred.
"Manfred, can you stop her?" she asked, pointing toward Elvira. The man had just slapped Elvira, who retaliated with a slap of her own.
"Sure, no problem!" Manfred looked surprised at Janet’s courage. Given how Elvira had treated her before, Janet should’ve ignored her. Why was she even caring now? Manfred also silently regretted having once teamed up with that vicious woman against Janet.
Janet quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Ternence. Better let Philip come pick Elvira up.
As Janet hung up, she saw Elvira angrily storming toward them. Manfred leaned on the bar, then suddenly jumped in front of Elvira and grabbed her arm without a word.
"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Elvira looked terrified to see someone she knew. She didn’t want anyone to see what she’d become. She hated the man she was with, but she was already addicted to him.
"Do you know Philip is looking for you? Why are you hanging with people like that?" Janet stepped forward, shocked by Elvira’s change. It had only been a little over a month, yet Elvira looked so drained. That man was clearly no good.
"You bitch! Who do you think you are to boss me around?" Elvira snarled at Janet and tried to hit her, but Manfred swiftly twisted her wrists behind her back, his eyes full of disgust.
"Are you high?" Manfred’s sharp eyes noticed the unnatural redness of her face. He immediately knew something was wrong.
"Shut up! You two scumbags are just slandering me! Let me go!" Elvira struggled fiercely, desperate to break free. But Manfred held tight. Peggy and Simon, having heard the commotion, hurried over, and a crowd began to gather around them in the bar.
The air felt thick and suffocating. Janet’s chest felt heavy, as if something was pressing down on her, making her want to escape immediately.
"Come with me. Philip will pick you up soon," Janet said firmly, yanking Elvira’s arm from Manfred’s grip. Ternence was already on his way.
"You’re such a seductress, Janet. Why do all the men fall for you?" Elvira sneered as soon as she was freed. She shoved Janet hard. Luckily, Simon was quick and caught Janet before she fell, her face paling instantly.
"Manfred, stop her! Philip’s almost here!" Janet shouted as Elvira pushed through the crowd, trying to run.
"That woman is way too arrogant! Janet, just wait—old grudges and new grudges, I’ll settle them all today and get you justice!" Peggy had never been able to stand Elvira’s haughty attitude toward the Louis family, and now seeing her act so brazenly, she was furious that Janet had to suffer under her.
Following Peggy out, Janet watched as Peggy finally let out her anger. Elvira’s disheveled long hair hung in front of her face, exposed skin marked with red scratches, and her unnaturally flushed cheeks made her look shockingly beaten.
"Peggy, stop it!" Janet couldn’t bear to see her go so far and hurriedly grabbed Peggy’s hand. But Peggy proudly jabbed Elvira’s forehead, her face still carrying the fierce spirit she once had. "A drugged woman like you dares to act so high and mighty in front of us? Believe me, I’ll see you behind bars!"
Because Manfred was restraining her, Elvira couldn’t fight back and could only glare at Janet with eyes full of hatred.
"Are you crazy? How could you take that stuff? Don’t you know it’ll ruin you?" Janet’s shock deepened when Manfred had mentioned Elvira’s drug use. She never expected Elvira to have fallen so far. Anila had placed all her hopes on her—this was self-destruction.
"That’s on you, Janet! Don’t act all sanctimonious in front of me—I won’t let you off!" Elvira snarled and kicked wildly. Fortunately, Janet quickly stepped back. With Elvira’s current state, how could she still be called a Louis family lady?
"Philip!" Janet suddenly noticed a white sports car pulling up by the roadside. Ternence’s tall figure was already striding toward them.
"I don’t want to go back! No! I’ll die! I’ll die!" Elvira flailed her arms, trying to avoid Ternence. She was addicted, and the man had dirt on her—they had recorded every intimate moment. If she left, he’d release those disgraceful videos!
"Have you made enough trouble? Come with me!" Ternence rarely lost his temper, but Elvira’s mess had thrown the household into chaos while she still lived carefree outside.
"Philip, you should get someone to help her. I think she’s on drugs!" Janet nervously told Ternence about Elvira’s condition. After taking that stuff, she couldn’t go to the hospital—she had to be forced to quit.
Janet caught the chill flashing in Ternence’s bloodshot eyes. Elvira’s hateful glare locked onto Janet as she lost her balance and stumbled backward—only to be caught by a pair of warm hands around her waist. Janet momentarily forgot to break free.
How could Elvira look at her like that—as if there was some deep hatred between them?
"Janet, are you scared? I’ll take you home," Manfred said, noticing the flash of panic in her eyes. His gaze was filled with pity for her kindness. Could she forgive Elvira? Could she forgive him?
"No, no, it’s okay. Charles will come pick me up!" Janet pushed him away quickly and grabbed her phone to call Charles.
Charles’s voice came through the phone, gentle yet firm: "I’m coming to get you. Don’t be afraid." Janet gripped the phone tightly, feeling a flicker of relief. The noise outside faded away, and her heart began to calm. No matter how hard it got, with Charles by her side, she was never alone.