Chapter 88
All of this, every single bit of it, was thanks to the Linwood family.
She used to be so naive, hoping for affection from them despite their heartless treatment. It wasn’t until she was sent to prison that she finally gathered enough disappointment to see through the true nature of this family.
With a heart full of hatred, Vanessa cried out to Claire, “If anything happens to Dad, I won’t let you get away with it.”
Claire froze mid–bite, slamming her fork down onto the table with a loud clatter. “Won’t let me get away with it? What right do you have?” She glared at Vanessa. “Isn’t your father’s condition a result of your own actions?”
Claire stood and slowly approached Vanessa. “Wasn’t it you who went into my room first? Wasn’t it you who provoked me? Didn’t you try to hit me first, forcing me to defend myself? And wasn’t it you who ran to Mrs. Linwood to tattle?”
Her voice rose with each accusation. “You started this mess, and your dear father got upset seeing you upset, which led to his condition. Vet you’re blaming me?”
Claire stopped right in front of Vanessa. As her words hung in the air, she raised her hand and slapped Vanessa hard across the face “I’ve been too kind to you,” she said coldly.!
Vanessa’s other cheek instantly mirrored the red mark from the first slap, creating a perfect symmetry.!!
Adah screamed and rushed forward, “Claire, you can’t just hit people like this! Are you trying to cause a ruckus?”
Claire laughed derisively, sidestepping Adah, who stumbled and fell to the floor with a heavy thud.
Ethan, unable to contain his anger any longer, pushed Claire forcefully and shouted, “Claire, that’s enough!
Claire staggered, almost losing her balance. Startled, Ethan instinctively reached out to steady het but she had already fallen into May’s arms. His hand hung in the air for a moment before he awkwardly withdrew it, his face hardening as concern faded away.
Just as Claire steadied herself, she heard Ethan’s accusation. “No matter what happened, you can’t just hit Vanessa. And with Dad’s health right now, how long do you plan to keep this up??
Claire’s expression turned even more mocking. “If you know your father’s unwell, I haven’t seen you call an ambulance or try to help him. Seems like you’re just waiting for him to die so you can take over the company,”
“Shut up!” Ethan wished he could sew Claire’s mouth shut. “How did you become so unreasonable?“)
Disappointment was written all over Ethan’s face. Lately, he’d been worried sick about Claire, yet she showed no gratitude, only sarcasm and hostility. He’d been concerned she might face hardships after marrying into the Fosters of Northcrest, but now he saw any trouble she faced would be her own doing.
While they argued, Nathan’s body stiffened, his face turning a shade of blue as if he was on t Adah, Ethan, and Vanessa abandoned their confrontation with Claire, panic overtaking them.
the brink of suffocation.
“What do
we do? Dad looks like he’s in so much pain, I don’t think he can hold on, Vanessa sobbed, genuinely worried about Nathan, as he was her biggest ally in the family and the only one who loved her unconditionally.
Ethan pulled out his phone to call Victor, but no one
answered.l
Adah was a mess, frantically pacing like an ant on a hot pan.
Claire looked down coldly at Nathan, collapsed on the floor. She truly hoped he would just drop dead right then and there. But if he did. the Linwood family would surely blame her, making her life even more miserable
And her million dollars would be lost!
With that thought, Claire said, “May, go to the kitchen and bring me a trash bag “H
