Chapter 210 Dinner Didn’t End Well
日天气:75%面
Finished
Willard had completely overlooked the fact that Charmaine possessed a talent for design. With just a single sketch sold to a studio, she could make a considerable sum.
What he wanted to say would be a slap in his face.
Zayn studied Charmaine’s calm expression, taking in how effortlessly she had just silenced the entire family with a single remark.
His tone was neutral as he finally broke the tension. “Thank you for the gift.”
Dinner was nearly over, and Milo, who had been waiting all evening, was growing impatient.
He leaned in and spoke in a hushed voice. “Dad, isn’t it time to get to the main topic?”
You brat, what’s the
rush?” Willard shot him a glare before schooling his expression into something more composed. For the first ume, he actually looked at Charmaine properly.
Then, he began speaking with the tone of an elder, “We heard from Milo about what Bennett and Sophie did to frame you the other day. You weren’t hurt, were you?”
Charmaine’s lips twitched before she replied, ‘It’s been so long that I almost forgot about it.”
“Good. Mr. Emyr stepped in and took care of everything for you, even making you the largest shareholder of Bennett’s company. By now, you’ve had your revenge and vented all your grievances, haven’t you?”
A quiet, mocking laugh escaped Charmaine’s lips. “If that’s the case, then why is Mr. Nelson pretending to care? Isn’t that a bit hy
Willard’s face darkened instantly.
He had lowered himself to show her concern, yet she rejected it so outright.
He nearly lost his temper, but a quiet warning from Milp held him back.
After a deep breath, Willard regarded Charmaine with an expression that could only be described as patronizing pity.
His voice was slow, deliberate as if explaining something to a child. “Milo told us a great deal about your life with the Reads. You never truly fit in there. They didn’t care for you properly, and they certainly didn’t raise you well. Now that you’ve severed ties with them, there’s no reason to stay in contact. If you had been. smarter back then, you wouldn’t have fallen into their tap.
“I understand that you have resentment toward us. Some conflicts between family members are inevitable. But we’re willing to overlook your past mistakes. As long as you’re willing to behave and turn over a new leaf, it’s not too late.
As for Mr. Emyr, the two of you were engaged from the start. I won’t stand in the way of that. But all the disgraceful entanglements you had in the Reads‘ house old must come to an end, And those seductive tricks and whatever schernes you used to charm Mr. Eyr–you’d better forget them ali! Once you return home, your mother will personally teach you how to conduct yourself as a proper matriarch of a wealthy family. When you eventually marry into the Crosses, you need to bring honor to both yourself and the Nelsons
15:26 Fri, Feb 28 O
Chapter 210 Dinner Didn’t End Well
Finished
For the first time. Willard had actually spoken to her at length. Charmaine was momentarily taken aback.
As he continued, she nearly laughed out loud.
She had been too naive. She had thought Willard was just pretending to care, but in reality, they didn’t even bother to pretend.
They had believed that Bennett and Sophie had tainted her beyond repair.
They thought that the only way she had managed to survive outside of the Nelsons‘ grasp–let alone remain in the Cross residence–was through selling herself.
She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Resting an elbow on the table, she tilted her head back and laughed.
All this time, she had thought Bennett and Sophie were the most shameless parents she had ever seen.
But now
Willard and Olympia had them beat.
Smack!
Willard slammed his chopsticks onto the table.
To him, Charmaine’s reaction was nothing short of an cutright humiliation.
His voice thundered with authority. “Charmaine, what that attitude?”
Charmaine wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. She was tearing up from laughing too hard.
She didn’t even bother acknowledging Willard. Instead, she turned to Milo, who looked just as shocked as she had been moments ago.
The ridicule in her gaze deepened.
“You asked me to come for dinner, so I came. Now that I’ve finished eating, am I free to leave?”
Willard’s expression twisted with rage. “I told you, I’ll only give you one chance! Charmaine, why are you so stubborn?”
Even Olympia stood up, her voice dripping with disdain. “This is exactly what happens when someone is raised by the Reads. After so many years, their bad influence is ingrained in her! She’s beyond saving!”
Milo clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. “Dad! Mom! This isn’t what we agreed on!”
Willard shot him a glare. “Idiot! Have you been fooled by her? Do you actually believe everything she says? Do you expect me to sit here and let that wretched girl trample all over our family?”
Olympia chimed in, “Milo, what has she done to you?hat kind of spell did she cast to make you this blind? Leah is the only one who deserves to be our daughter–the only one worthy of your protection as a sister. Charmaine never saw us as family, and she never saw you as her brother. She’s just using you to humiliate all of us!!
