Chapter 10
Vanessa had pushed Irene down the stairs in a location where there was surveillance.l
However, right after the incident, Adah promptly deleted the footage that could have proven her innocence, which left her with no defense in court.
“Enough!” Ethan reprimanded Claire coldly. “Stop with the snide remarks. We might have overlooked you before, but don’t you think you bear any responsibility? You were jealous of Vanessa’s better life and chose to bully her as revenge. You have such a dark heart that it’s no wonder you’re not liked. Instead of finding foult with us, maybe you should look at yourself.
“Don’t speak to your sister like that. Adah sniffled.
“Mom, you keep defending her. She’s been taking advantage of our guilt, becoming more and more unruly. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have pushed Irene down the stairs, framing Vanessa for it, and turning her into a vegetable. We sent her to prison for five years, and she retumed full of resentment, causing a scene in front of all the quests.71
Adah felt a pang of guilt as she glanced at Claire, who was looking back at her with a wry smile. Adahe heart skipped a beat, and she shamefully looked away.)
“Enough, everyone,” Nathan said with a stem expression. “Claire, why didn’t you tell us you were coming home? If we had known, your mother and I would have prepared a dress for you.
Claire was taken aback. “You didn’t know I was getting out today?‘
rowing a welcome home party for me.”
“Of course not. If I had known, I would have sent a driver to pick you up. How did you get here, Claire?“?
Claire looked at Ethan, her eyes icy and sharp. “I rode with Mr. Ethan because he said you were throwing a
“A welcome party? Isn’t today Vanessa’s birthday party?”
“Yes, the invitation I received also said it was Vanessa’s birthday party. When did it turn into a welcome party for her release?”
“Throw a welcome party for an ex–convict? That must be a mistake.”
Whispers filled the room.
Ethan’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he struggled to find words, failing to explain.
Claire felt a pang of self–mockery. The fool was het Nathan and Adah only remembered Vanessa’s birthday, not her release date. The so–called welcome party Ethan mentioned was just a convenient excuse tied to Vanessa’s celebration.
A bitter feeling spread through her chest. What was she expecting anyway?
Claire no longer wanted to maintain the charade with the Linwood family. She turned to leave.!!
Suddenly, a white figure rushed toward her. Claire tried to dodge, but her limp leg prevented it.
“Bang
The person collided with Claire, and the impact sent her sprawling to the ground, pain shooting through her elbow and leg.X
She clenched her brow, Her already pale face turning even whiter.
When she finally managed to push through the pain and looked up, she saw Nathan, Adah, and Ethan fussing over a young woman in a white feathered couture dress.X
“Vanessa, are you okay? Does it hurt? Are you injured?”
Tears welled in the young woman’s eyes, her cheeks and nose red as she whimpered, “Mom, Dad, Ethan, it hurts so much…“\
Instantly, the Linwood family gathered around in concern. “Vanessa, where does it hurt? Did Claire hurt you?”
Without hesitation, Ethan shouted at Claire, “Can’t you watch where you’re going?”
