Drake and Helena feared being ostracized from the Shear clan.

Desperation overcame Helena as she seized Reyna's aunt, urging, "Reyna, Maggie may not understand, but she's still my child, whom I carried for ten months. Can't she apologize to you as a sign of reconciliation?"

Reyna shrugged off her grasp. “Do you believe an apology will absolve everything? What about the injustice my daughter endured in prison?"

With a pained expression, Helena persisted, "If that's what it takes, would you be satisfied if you hurt me instead? Please, spare my daughter."

Seeing her mother humbling herself, Maggie couldn't bear it and rushed to her side.

“Mom, I've done nothing wrong. You don't need to plead with anyone!”

"Maggie..."

“Are you still denying what you did? It's all your fault!"

Before Helena could finish, Drake's slap landed heavily on Maggie's shoulder.

Caught off guard, Maggie staggered, nearly falling.

Thankfully, Karl intervened just in time.

"Mr. Shear, why would you strike her?"

"Stay out of this!" Drake snapped furiously, his anger palpable.

Unfazed, Karl stood his ground, positioning himself protectively in front of Maggie.

Helena rushed to restrain Drake, who seethed with rage. "Stop! Let's resolve this calmly."

“Move aside!"

Drake shouted, pushing his wife to the ground.

“Mom!"

Startled, Maggie hurried over and helped her mother up.

With red eyes, Helena said, "Maggie, don't be so stubborn. Quickly apologize to your aunt-in-law, and then find a way to get Yana out."