Denise raised an eyebrow in confusion. What new game was Arthur playing now?

She quickly finished her breakfast and spotted Samantha and Vivian busy dolling themselves up. The two of them kept fussing with each other's outfits, clearly thinking something still didn't quite work.

"Well, aren't we getting all dressed up today," Denise said sarcastically, watching them strut around like they were peacocks on display.

Especially Vivian - back when she was stuck in Blue Ridge Town, Arthur wasn't exactly rolling in money. Now that he had some cash, she acted like she had to wear every bit of jewelry she owned just to show off. Samantha wasn't any better.

"Duh. You think we're dressing up just for fun?" Samantha huffed, looking smug as ever.

"Denise, better get yourself ready too," Arthur's voice came from the stairs. "We're having dinner with the Harringtons today, first time meeting them. Don't embarrass me, or you'll regret it when we get back."

"Dad, why is that trash coming with us?" Samantha snapped, her grudge from yesterday clearly still eating her up.

"Who are you calling trash? Did you eat crap for breakfast or what?" Denise shot back without missing a beat.

She swore she'd never let them bully her again. Time to stand up for herself.

"You ate crap! Watch your mouth, you b*tch! I swear I'll rip that filthy tongue out!" Samantha lost it and stepped forward, itching for a fight.

"Oh, bring it on then!" Denise stood her ground, not flinching one bit.

Samantha lunged at her, hand raised to slap, but Denise was faster - she grabbed Samantha's wrist and pushed her away hard. Samantha, tottering in high heels, lost her balance and hit the floor hard.

"How dare you! You hit Samantha? Are you out of your mind?" Vivian screeched, jumping to her feet and going straight at Denise.

Vivian, toughened up from her days in the countryside, was surprisingly strong. Unlike Samantha, she wasn't the type to get knocked over easily.

"Go to hell!" Denise spat, trying to shove her away, but Vivian barely staggered and charged at her again.

That's when Justin suddenly appeared out of nowhere and jumped in between them. Vivian might be tough, but facing Justin, she couldn't even move when he grabbed her wrists.

Denise finally breathed in relief.

But before she could relax, Arthur stormed over and just smacked her across the face, then turned and kicked Justin away.

"You ungrateful brats!" Arthur roared.

A full-blown fight first thing in the morning - he was fuming. For someone as superstitious as him, this definitely counted as bad luck.

"Look at what your precious kids are doing to us!" Vivian wailed dramatically, throwing herself at Arthur. "They're bullying me and Samantha like we're nothing! Back when I lived in the countryside, I served your family like a damn maid and took care of your parents! Then some homewrecker came in and I just had to swallow it all. Now that woman's gone, but her kids? Still tearing us apart. God, how did I end up with such a miserable life!"

She burst into tears right on cue, milking Arthur's guilt for all it was worth.

Back in those years when Arthur was hustling to build his business in Seaville, it was Vivian who managed everything back home in the small Blue Ridge Town. Deep down, Arthur always carried some guilt toward her.

Justin, on the other hand, just couldn't accept it-why did Arthur treat them siblings like that? Denise tugged at Justin's arm, trying to calm him down. "Don't lose it now. You're not ready to go head-to-head with him," she said softly.

"You ungrateful brat! I was gonna take you to the banquet tonight, but look at you-so disrespectful!" Arthur snapped at Denise, face dark with anger. "You can just stay home and think about what you've done. I'll deal with you properly when I get back."

Denise felt her heart sink. That was her dad. Ever since her mom Grace died, it was like he became a totally different person. "Ungrateful brat," "spawn of that woman"... he used to never talk to her like that.

After letting out his anger, Arthur turned to Vivian and Samantha. "You two need to freshen up now. This is our first dinner with the Harringtons. We can't look sloppy or show up late."

They had just come through a fight-clothes crumpled, hair messy, makeup smudged-yeah, they seriously needed a makeover.

"Come on, Denise, let's go." Laura rushed over, grabbing Denise like she was afraid Arthur might come back for round two.

"Wow, sis! You were amazing back there!" Justin's eyes lit up with admiration. "I was seriously in awe. That's not how you used to be at all."

Denise smirked. "So you're into watching your big sister throw hands now?"

Honestly, she never planned on fighting. But if Vivian and Samantha kept pushing her like that, backing down was no longer an option. Since she'd made up her mind to take them on, she couldn't go soft-not anymore.

"You've really changed," Justin said again, more serious this time.

Denise ruffled his hair gently. "Don't worry, Justin. From now on, I've got your back. I won't let anyone mess with you again."

Justin nodded hard. His heart brimmed with emotion, and silently, he made a promise to himself-one day, he'd be the one protecting Denise. He was the man of the house, after all.

Laura took a long breath watching the two siblings. "Denise... I was so nervous for you just now. I didn't expect you to actually get physical with them. You've changed, really. It's just... your dad wanted to take you to the banquet tonight, and now that's out the window."

"Don't worry, Laura. I've got a plan," Denise replied calmly.

Okay, she admitted it-she lost her cool earlier. But this dinner with the Harringtons wasn't something she could just sit out. Vivian and Samantha clearly wanted her out of the picture. That fight? Totally on purpose-just to keep her from going.

But the more they didn't want her there, the more she was determined to show up.

Back in her room, Denise got herself ready again. She didn't go all out like Vivian and Samantha. No flashy jewelry, no over-the-top dress. Just a simple blue dress. Casual, but classy.

She looked in the mirror, her confidence shining through. Even dressed this simple, she could totally catch Jason's eye.

Vivian and Samantha also changed into new outfits and redid their makeup.

"Mom, that little witch crossed the line," Samantha grumbled. "She's getting way too bold-she even dared to fight us! She was never like that before."

Vivian tossed her a look. "Who knows? Maybe what we did last time triggered something in her-too much stress, made her go a little nuts. But I pushed her to hit us deliberately. Now that she acted out, there's no way your dad will let her show up at the dinner. No drama, just you and Jason having a smooth little date."