Chapter 11
Claire felt a surge of anger rise from the pit of her stomach. She pushed herself up from the ground, but the pain in her leg made her stagger. She gritted her teeth and glared fiercely at Ethan.
“Mr. Ethan, you certainly have a talent for speaking without thinking!” she snapped. “It was V
Vanessa who ran into me, yet you blame me without knowing the facts. What is it? Does blaming me come so easily that it costs you nothing?“%
“You-” Ethan began, but Claire cut him off.”
“There are dozens of witnesses here,” she said, gesturing around the room. “So tell me, is it me who’s blind, or is it you, Mr. Ethan?“? Ethan quickly glanced around and saw that the guests were all watching him with a complicated mix of expressions. These were people from prominent families, and even though they looked down on Claire for her past, their upbringing wouldn’t allow them to twist the truth. Finally, one of them spoke up, unable to remain silent. “Mr. Ethan, it was indeed Vanessa who bumped into her. We all saw it.“?
With someone taking the lead, others nodded in agreement.
Ethan’s expression tumed grim. He was convinced that Claire had intentionally disrupted Vanessa’s birthday party to embarrass the Linwood family in front of Cresthaven’s elite. He knew his sister well–Claire was spiteful and vengeful, capable of any deceit. There was nothing she wouldn’t do.
Frowning, Ethan said coldly, “Even if Vanessa did bump into you, it was an accident. Couldn’t you have stepped aside? You did it on purpose.“?
At those words, Claire felt her blood boil, her mind buzzing with anger, almost losing her grip on sanity. Step aside? She could barely walk without a limp, let alone move quickly to avoid a collision.
Ah, yes. Ethan had shown disdain for her limp ever since she was released from prison, convinced it was just an act.)
He had seen Vanessa fall but ignored that Claire had been knocked over too.
If they were so keen on disgracing her, Claire decided she had no reason to protect their reputation. In front of everyone, she rolled up her sleeve
The sight was shocking. Her elbow was a mess of blood, the angry red of her wounds stark against her pale skin. Her palm wasn’t spared either, blood oozed from the abrasions, trickling down her fingers and dripping onto the floor.
Claire raised her arm high, ensuring everyone could see clearly. “Why would I intentionally injure myself like this? Am I such a masochist that I’d do this just for the pleasure of Mr. Ethan’s insults?” Her voice, choked with emotion, was on the verge of breaking, her eyes reddened with indignation
Ethan’s eyes flickered to her injuries, and for a moment, his face burned with shame. He couldn’t meet Claire’s gaze.X
Adah gasped in horror and quickly released Vanessa, rushing to Claire’s side. She hesitated, afraid to touch Claire and cause her more pain. “Claire, you’re hurt. Does it hurt?” she fretted, gently blowing on Claire’s wounds with a show of genuine concem.X
Vanessa, tears strearning down her face, said, “I’m sorry, sister. I was flustered because the custom dress my brother got for me was damaged, and I accidentally bumped into you. Please don’t be mad at him. He only misunderstood because he was worried about me. I can apologize on his behalf.”
Her eyes were wide and pleading, her tear–streaked face like a delicate flower in the rain. Even as she apologized, she looked as if Claire were the one at fault. During Claire’s time with the Linwoods, Vanessa had always played the victim whenever Claire was wronged.
Five years had passed, yet Vanessa seemed unchanged.
