Ariana, deeply worried, wanted to follow, but Sadie forcibly barred her way.

Sadie's face contorted with hatred as she charged at Ariana, her voice laced with venom.

"You vile woman! This is all your doing!

Leave the Fredrick family this instant! Are you feigning virtue just to ensnare Holden? Are you so fond of being another man's paramour?

Well, I can."

Sadie's acrimonious words were abruptly silenced, as Ariana, no longer able to tolerate her venomous accusations, delivered a resounding smack across Sadie's face.

Sadie stood there, her senses ensnared, unable to muster a response as Ariana's scathing rebuke echoed in the room.

"Rather than tending to your wounded daughter, you've chosen to slander me? You're not fit to wear the mantle of motherhood!"

Still reeling from the stinging slap she'd received, Sadie found herself too stunned to react. By the time she finally summoned her voice to retaliate, Ariana had already seized her wrist in an unyielding grip.

With fiery rage blazing in her eyes, Ariana clasped Sadie's hand and hurled her to the ground. She sneered down at the crumpled figure before her, saying, “Why do you quake in fear every time our paths cross? Is it concern for Adele, or is there a shadowy secret Lurking in your conscience that you'd rather keep concealed? Perhaps you've harbored some shameful deeds?"

Sadie tumbled to the floor, her emotions in turmoil, a potent blend of panic and rage bubbling within. Her chest heaved violently as she pointed a trembling finger up at Ariana. Through clenched teeth, she spat out, "You impudent wretch! Go away, and never darken my doorstep again!"

Ariana remained thoroughly unmoved by Sadie's frenzied outburst. With an icy chuckle, she countered, "And on what grounds do you presume to banish me?"

"Guards!" Sadie cried out, her madness now evident in her eyes.

"Remove this interloper from my house!"

With a crimson haze clouding her vision, she yelled at Ariana, "Let me warn you, should you dare to return, I shall have you arrested for trespassing!"

Weary of the ceaseless clamor, Ariana opted to exit rather than endure any more of Sadie's histrionics.

Sadie continued her torrent of curses as Ariana departed, her facade of a dignified actress completely shattered.

Shortly after, Holden rushed home upon learning of the incident.

As he stepped inside, he found Sadie putting on a dramatic display of sobbing in the foyer. Impatient with her theatrics, he strode right past her and ascended the stairs in search of Adele.

Seeing her beloved's return, Sadie scurried after Holden, whimpering and reaching for an opportunity to explain herself.