Chapter 74

Laura was perplexed as she stared at Xyla, who had looked fine when she saw her two days ago. Now, she was sporting red, swollen cheeks. "Wendy, don't be silly, dear. It's no imposition. Your sister must have been bullied pretty badly if her face is that swollen! It's only natural for her to come to you for help," she said kindly. Laura assumed Xyla was soft-spoken and well-mannered like Wendy. Her heart broke as she assessed Xyla with sympathy. Poor Xyla's cheeks were so swollen that it was a surprise her eyes hadn't been sealed shut. Who could be so cruel as to lay a hand on her? Sean leveled an icy stare at Xyla and her cheeks, which were more swollen than they had been yesterday. He could still make out the faint handprints on her skin. He wondered what she was doing here instead of recuperating at the Horton residence. "Sean, you're here!" Norman greeted, venturing out of his room. Upon seeing Xyla's swollen cheeks, he couldn't help pointing out, "I wonder which family in th