Chapter 359
Anna Ross shook her head gently and remained silent.
Julian Garnache took the two women out for dinner, then drove them home.
After saying goodbye to Mia Lawrence, Anna walked toward the apartment building.
As soon as she stepped into the stairwell, a figure rushed down toward her.
Anna staggered back from the impact, nearly tumbling down the steps.
She quickly grabbed the handrail to steady herself.
The person who had bumped into her was a middle-aged woman. Her bags and packages were scattered across the floor.
"How do you walk? Are you blind?" The woman planted her hands on her hips and pointed accusingly.
Rubbing her dizzy head, Anna realized she was in trouble.
This woman was clearly not going to be reasonable.
"You were the one running too fast and bumping into me."
She glanced at the items that had rolled down the stairs. Some were already broken.
The woman's eyes widened. Her voice rose sharply. "Such a pretty girl, but so rude! Everyone, come see this injustice!"
She plopped down on the steps, settling in as if she wouldn't leave until the matter was resolved.
Anna found it ridiculous that she had encountered this kind of situation.
"Ma'am, you were the one who bumped into me."
A few residents opened their doors to watch the commotion.
Seeing the audience, the woman began wiping fake tears. Her wails grew louder. "The young bullying the elderly! Is there no justice left?"
The crowd murmured among themselves.
"Young people these days have no manners. How were they raised?"
"If she bumped into someone, just apologize. Why shift blame?"
"Look at all her things knocked over. She's not even helping pick them up."
The accusations multiplied, threatening to swallow her whole.
The woman shot her a smug glance.
Anna looked at the pointing fingers, understanding the feeling of being unable to defend herself.
"Little girl, just pick these up for me, and I'll let it go." The woman nudged the scattered items with her foot.
Anna stood her ground without moving.
Someone shouted impatiently, "She's compromising! Hurry up and pick them up!"
Suppressing her anger, Anna calmly retorted, "Why should I pick them up when I didn't knock them over?"
Her words instantly ignited the crowd's emotions.
The woman led the shouting. "What kind of child is this? A motherless brat!"