Chapter 47
Nathan, Adah, Ethan, and Vanessa had already seated themselves, but unusually, none of them had started eating yet?
As soon as Claire stepped in, Adah rose immediately, taking Claire’s hand warmly. “Claire, you must be starving. Come have breakfast” she said with enthusiasm.
She guided Claire to the table.
Nathan sat at the head, with Ethan to his night and Adah on his left. Vanessa was naturally seated next to Adah.
Claire had two options: sit next to Ethan or next to Vanessa. Neither was appealing, but if she had to choose, she’d rather sit by Ethan.
Without a word, Claire took her place beside Ethan, expressionless. She picked up a spoon and quietly began to eat the simple dumplings in front of her.
The Linwood family’s eyes were all on her, each with a different expression.”
Nathan’s eyes were filled with anger, barely contained by Adah’s calming presence, preventing him from lashing out at Claire. I
Adah looked slightly embarrassed, wanting to remind Claire to greet her elders before eating, but recalling last night’s events, she swallowed her words.
Vanessa’s eyes held a flash of malice, yet she forced a smile. “Claire, these dumplings were specially made for you by May. Do you like them?” she asked, her voice a mixture of playfulness and flattery.”
Claire acted as if she hadn’t heard her, not even sparing a glance, her focus solely on the dumplings in her bowl
Ethan took a deep breath, suppressing his rising anger, managing a strained smile. “Claire, after breakfast, you should take off that bandage. You’re not injured, and anyone would think you’re being mistreated in this house.”
Claire paused her eating momentarily, an ironic smirk playing on her lips, but she remained silent and resumed eating
She finished quickly, wiping her mouth with a napkin before looking up. “I’m done. Take your time,” she said to them.
Ethan couldn’t hold back his anger any longer. “Claire, why the sour face in the morning? Who are you trying to upset?“%
Claire stared at him coldly, her eyes devoid of emotion, which only fueled Ethan’s frustration.
In a sudden burst of anger, he reached to rip off the bandage on Claire’s head, snarling, “Let’s see if you’re really hurt or just playing the victim.“E
As the bandage was tom away, Claire felt a sharp pain on her forehead. The recently healed wound was violently reopened, blood streaming down her face, staining her skin crimson B
“I knew you were faking… Ethan’s words choked in his throat, his eyes widening in disbelief as he saw the blood.
Adah gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. “Claire, what happened to your forehead?”
Vanessa’s eyes flickered with brief satisfaction, quickly replaced by a mask of horror. “Are you alright, Claire?” she whispered. Claire seemed impervious to the pain, her gaze vacant and icy. The blood trickling down painted a vivid red before her eyes.
As she slowly surveyed the family in front of her, they appeared to her like demons from hell, devouring her soul and trampling her dignity
“Are you satisfied now?”
