Unmasking Mrs. Newton's Secret Identities novel Chapter 973

"You must have colluded with them to set me up, didn't you? Tell me, why did you deliberately avoid searching for the Rockefeller emerald?"

Freddie's eyes were bloodshot with rage, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Tension bulged the veins on his face, lending him a menacing appearance.

"Is this fair at all? You said we were restricted to the inner area—I didn't even get a chance to explore the outer hall. You can't blame me now.

"Besides, I'm no genius; I've never laid eyes on a Rockefeller emerald. How could I possibly find it if I didn't even know what it looked like?" Sabrina argued, defending herself.

"Fair?" Freddie sneered. "I'll show you what fair is."

With that, he slapped Sabrina sharply across the face, causing her head to jerk to the side. A vivid red handprint soon marked her cheek, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

No one anticipated that Freddie would strike a woman. Although people were aware of the Muskham family's questionable reputation, witnessing his brutality was deeply disturbing. It shook their sense of morality to its core.

Sabrina gently touched the bruised area on her face, her emotions overwhelming her. Eventually, she couldn't hold back any longer and began to cry.

Tears flowed down her cheeks, mixing with the water collected from the stone-cutting machine, blending into the puddles on the floor.

Her sobs were fleeting, dissipating almost as quickly as they had begun. Sabrina knew she couldn't afford to cry. Breaking down would only make her a target for ridicule.

As a member of the Colbeck family, showing weakness in public was simply unacceptable. Despite her inner determination, tears continued to flow uncontrollably down her cheeks.

In stark contrast, Freddie displayed no concern for etiquette or decency. Dissatisfied with his earlier slap, he raised his hand once more, intent on venting his rage on Sabrina.

Suddenly, Kendrick positioned himself between them, obstructing his advance.

Despite his usual timidity and submissiveness, Kendrick now confronted Freddie with a fierce and determined resolve.

"What are you doing here? Do you seriously think you can play the hero in front of me?" Freddie jabbed his finger forcefully into Kendrick's chest, causing him to stagger.

Nevertheless, Kendrick stood his ground, his voice steady and resolute. "If you feel overpowered, take it out on someone your own size. What gives you the right to lay a hand on her?"

Sabrina had been purchased by the Muskham family under such an indenture agreement.

Bound by the principle of debt repayment, she now carried the weight of her parents' obligations. After benefiting from years of their support, she was now trapped by their debts.

"No freaking way. She belongs to the Muskham family. Even if she dies, it will be in our hands!" Freddie declared arrogantly, shooting a malevolent glance at Sabrina.

He was already devising ways to make her life unbearable once she returned to his custody.

Meanwhile, Sabrina appeared resigned to her fate. She pushed Kendrick aside and said wearily, "Please stay out of this; it's my problem to deal with. I'll take care of it myself."

"Are you refusing to cooperate with me?" Helen interjected, a scornful smile playing on her lips.

"Do you really think you can force my compliance?" Freddie shrugged, adopting a defiant stance.