Chapter 85
Ethan quickly stepped in to stop Nathan. “Dad, please, let’s not get heated. We can talk this out,” he said, trying to calm the situation.
Nathan glared at Claire with fiery eyes. “Ethan, let go of me! I need to teach this disrespectful brat a lesson today!”
Ethan held onto Nathan tightly, making sure he couldn’t get near Claire.
Claire met Nathan’s gaze with a cold stare, filled with disdain for the man who was supposed to be her father?
This old fool–did he really think she’d forget the last time he tried to lay a hand on her? The memory of him almost wetting his pants when she grabbed a knife to defend herself was still fresh. Yet, here he was again, daring to raise his hand against her.
She could sense the deep–seated malice Nathan harbored towards her, different from the calculated coldness of Adah and Ethan. His hatred was raw and genuine.
Despite being her biological father, Nathan looked at her as if she were his worst enemy.
Under Claire’s icy glare, Nathan barked, “Apologize to your mother and Vanessa right now!“”
“Apologize? Why should 12” Claire retorted defiantly.
Nathan’s eyes widened with fury. “You injured Vanessa and upset your mother. Don’t you think you owe them an apology?
hit Vanessa because she deserved it. And Mrs. Linwood cried because she’s done too many shameful things. That’s got nothing to do with me. Claire shot back, her words as sharp as daggers.
Nathan, trembling with rage, lunged towards Claire once more, but Ethan held him back. “Claire, can’t you just say less?” he pleaded, anxious to diffuse the tension.
Claire crossed her arms, smirking. “Your dad’s about to hit me, and I can’t even defend myself verbally?”
“Claire,” Ethan said sterly, his brow furrowed in disapproval. He’s still your father.”
Claire scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “My father died a long time ago. I’m an orphan.“}
Nathan’s fury erupted like a volcano at Claire’s rebellious words. His eyes bulged, veins throbbed on his neck, and his cheeks puffed up like a toad’s.
u came
Pointing a trembling finger at Claire, he unleashed a torrent of insults, “You bring nothing but misery. Since you no peace in this house. You’re here to settle a score!“:
back, there’s been
Claire’s lips curled into a cold smile. “I don’t think I’m the harbinger of doom here, Mr. Linwood. That title suits you better.””
“If you hadn’t been sleeping like a log when I was a newborn, oblivious to my being stolen away, I wouldn’t have grown up an orphan. If you hadn’t insisted on adopting Vanessa, I wouldn’t have had to deal with her schemes once I returned to the Linwood family.”
“The chaos and discord in this house, the mess we’re in now is entirely your doing. Yet you place all the blame on me, a powerless girl. You’re not just a curse–you’re a coward who can’t take responsibility.
Claire’s words flowed with the pent–up bittemess and grew of years, each syllable a blade aimed at Nathan’s heart!
As the chairman of the Linwood Group, Nathan was used to being revered and respected. At fifty–something, he was well–maintained, tall and distinguished, the epitome of a silver fox–certainly not a decrepit old man.8
Yet here he was, being verbally dismantled by his own daughter. His chest tightened with the sting of her words, and he struggled for breath. “You.. you.
He opened his mouth, but it was as if his throat had closed up, leaving him speechless.
“You what? If I were you, I’d have been too ashamed to show my face after losing a child. Yet here you are, living large and still finding the audacity to berate me. What right do you have? Just because you’re older, you think you’re always right?“%
Claire continued, her frustration and resentment pouring out unchecked. She was done with enduring the injustices family
of this so–called
