Chapter 30
Ethan suddenly shoved Claire aside.
She collapsed into the seat like a ragdoll, her body racked with violent coughs.
Ethan glared at her with a fierce intensity and shouted, “Listen to me, this is the last time you defy me. Next time, May and her daughter’s fate will be worse than you can imagine!“}]
His voice reverberated in the cramped car, carrying an undeniable menace.
Claire lowered her eyelids, concealing the imitation in her eyes.”
The rest of the ride was wrapped in silence.
An hour later, they arrived back at the Linwood estate.
As soon as they stepped out of the car, Adah hurried over, reaching for Claire 2
Claire recoiled as if burned, pulling her hand back instantly.
Adah’s hand hung awkwardly in mid–air, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her face. But she quickly composed herself and said with concem, “Claire, my dear, why must you be so stubborn? Your father was only speaking out of anger. You shouldn’t take it to heart. I was so worried about you“?
Vanessa chimed in, linking her arm with Adahs and adding, “Sis, you really scared us.“”
Claire stood there, her expression cold and unmoved.
Once they finished speaking, she turned and walked straight inside.
Her demeanor ignited Ethan’s anger once more, and he bellowed, “Claire, stop right there! Can’t you feel
concern for you?”
your mother and Vanessas
Claire paused, looked back at Adah and Vanessa, noting their still damp hair and the pajamas they wore, and retorted sarcastically, “Were Mrs. Linwood and Miss Vanessa worried about me while taking a bath or while sleeping?”
It was clear that the mother and daughter had taken a bath and were ready for bed after she left the Linwood estate, leaving no time to worry about her. E
The air thickened with awkward silence.
Adahis gaze involuntarily shifted away.
Ethan was momentarily stunned, opening his mouth to offer an explanation but finding he had none.
Claire had long seen through their hypocrisy. The evening’s drama was no surprise to her.
She walked into the villa without another glance at any of them.!
The night deepened.!
Ethan tossed and turned in his plush bed, unable to sleep.
After wrestling with his thoughts for what seemed like an eternity, he finally got up and made his way downstairs to Claire’s storeroom.
It was no place for anyone to live.
To put it bluntly, even the family’s dog kennel was more luxurious than this storeroom.
Standing outside the door, Ethan hesitated for a long time, too afraid to knock but unwilling to leave.
He lingered there for a full half–hour until a gnawing pain in his stomach forced him to retreat.
The next moming E
Claire had slept well, whether due to sheer exhaustion or the relief of being out of that oppressive environment.
In stark contrast, the Linwood family looked worse for wear.
Ethan, in particular, had dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign of a sleepless night.
The family gathered around the breakfast table.k
Nathan spoke sterly, “Claire, the driver will take you to Cresthaven General Hospital shortly. As long as Brian feels your sincerity, I’m sure he won’t give you a hard time and will continue working with Linwood Enterprises.
Claire kept her head down, her mind elsewhere, saying nothing
Nathan’s anger flared, “Are you mute now?
Adah quickly interjected to smooth things over “Let’s
I’s eat first. We can talk after breakfast.”
This morning, they were served a Western breakfast, which the housemaid laid out before Nathan, Adah, Ethan, and Vanessa.
Claire’s place at the table, however, remained conspicuously empty.
