10#10

10

"What?" I gaped at Lucia, shocked to my core. My words trembled, not from uncertainty but from the immense gravity of her claim.

Evelyn's complexion drained of color as her fingers anxiously toyed with her jacket's edge. Her voice cracked with fear. "She's lying! Don't believe a word!"

Lucia cocked her head, a malicious grin spreading across her face. "Nonsense, you say? Very well. Let's reveal everything. If Harvey wants to discredit me, I'll gladly unveil his entire plan. At worst... we'll all face the consequences together."

The atmosphere in the room grew oppressive, as if the space itself was constricting.

"Lucia!" Harvey bellowed, his voice hoarse and frantic as his composure crumbled. His already ashen face flushed crimson, veins protruding on his neck as he yelled.

Lucia paid him no heed. She folded her arms, her words cutting like a razor. "Harvey discovered your child was female, Maya. He didn't desire a daughter. Neither did Evelyn."