Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 44

She really didn't have the appetite to face this family.

Adah's expression stiffened, but she continued to insist, "Skipping dinner isn't good for you, Claire. You should at least eat a little something."

Scanning the table with a critical eye, Claire curled her lips into a mocking smile. "Sorry, I'm just not used to eating leftovers."

Her words were like a stone cast into a tranquil lake, instantly freezing the smile on Adah's face.

The once relaxed and cheerful atmosphere around the dining table suddenly grew tense. Nathan furrowed his brow, his displeasure evident as he fixed his gaze on Claire, the weight of his paternal authority bearing down on her.

Sensing the awkward tension, Vanessa quickly set down her utensils, her eyes filled with feigned concern. "Claire, we've been waiting for you so long. When you didn't come back, we thought you had eaten already, so we started. We've only just begun. Don't be upset, come and join us."

eagerly. "Yes, yes, Claire, just have a little bit. We made

about you. You came back so late, and no one blamed you. Stop acting like the world owes you something. If you're

at their hypocritical faces, Claire's anger

Was that so much to ask? Why was it so hard for them

her, weren't they? Fine. If they wanted a scene, she'd give them

and a

in her throat, unable to

Linwood, how exactly am I supposed to eat?

"Claire, I—"