NovelGoldChapter 211 Claire lifted her gaze, her eyes calm and steady, yet they carried a sharp, icy edge. To her, Brian was nothing but an arrogant narcissist.
Where did he get the absurd notion that she would care about his forgiveness? To threaten her with something she couldn't care less about was truly laughable.
"Brian," Claire said, her voice as cold and fragile as glass dipped in ice water, "has anyone ever told you that you're like a wilted rose?" She traced her fingertip over the wine stain spreading across the golden tablecloth. "The petals still try to flaunt their grandeur, but the core is already rotten." Over the past five years, Claire had fought through darkness, her body bearing countless scars, yet her spirit had only grown stronger. Brian, on the other hand, seemed blinded by time, his foolishness almost comical.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtClaire turned her head away, as if swatting aside an annoying fly, not wanting to look at him for another second. Brian's throat worked as if he wanted to say something, but no words cout.
His final glance at Claire revealed Sean's impeccably tailored suit, perfectly fitting her slender shoulders. Sean stood tall and stoic, his presence commanding, while Claire, despite her fragility, exuded a rare elegance. The sight of them together, a striking couple, made jealousy coil like a venomous snake in Brian's chest, carving out a bleeding wound.
He had met Claire first, yet now it was Sean Foster by her side. All his bitterness and resentment were futile as he was led away by the authorities.
The ballroom's atmosphere, briefly frozen, slowly returned to life. The men regarded Sean with a wary respect, an instinctual deference to strength, while the women looked at Claire with envy, admiring her ability to capture Sean's unwavering support.
Guests began to approach, presenting their meticulously chosen birthday gifts to the matriarch. Each gift was of immeasurable value, a testament to their desire to curry favor.
The matriarch sat at the head of the table, her face warm with a gentle smile, accepting each offering with gratitude.
Finally, it was Claire's turn. She took a deep breath and walked forward, her steps as heavy as if they were weighed down with lead. With her head bowed, her voice was thick with guilt and remorse. "Grandma, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I couldn't protect the 'Radiant Beauty' silk embroidery that Mr. Foster prepared for you." During her month with the Foster family, the matriarch's kindness had been a comforting fire on a winter's day, melting the ice that encased Claire's heart.
Despite Claire's frail health, the matriarch had ensured she ate nourishing meals each day, and in just a month, Claire had regained scolor in her cheeks. To ease her leg pain, a massage therapist was hired to tend to her daily.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmClaire knew she was riddled with imperfections, yet the matriarch never showed disdain. Though Claire's face was drawn and weary, she was often praised for her beauty; though she had once lashed out at her parents in anger, her fiery nature was called gentle and kind by the matriarch; though Claire saw herself as unworthy of Mr. Foster, a broken woman with little tleft, the matriarch insisted that Mr. Foster was lucky to have her.
Claire understood the matriarch's matchmaking intentions but didn't dare to hope. Mr. Foster was like a distant star, brilliant and untouchable, deserving of a partner from an equally illustrious background, not someone as battered as her.
Tears welled in Claire's eyes at the thought. The matriarch noticed and quickly reached out, patting Claire's hand gently "My dear, you did nothing wrong. It's they who are at fault. The gift can be replaced, but your sincerity is what truly matters. That makeshappy." The matriarch's compassion only deepened Claire's gratitude, nearly bringing her to tears. Just then, Sean's voice cut through the air. "It is your fault." The matriarch turned sharply to Sean, surprise etched on her face. She thought, "This boy, doesn't he know when to hold his tongue? Can't he see Claire's drowning in guilt?"
She shot Sean a withering look, silently scolding him for speaking out of turn. But Sean seemed unfazed, his expression calm as he continued in a mild tone, "Your punishment is to re-embroider it. You can't leave the Foster family until it's done." Claire was taken aback, staring at Sean with tear-filled eyes, which now shone with a mix of bewilderment and hope.
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