He Gave Me Hearing, Then Taught Me What Silence Really Means novel Chapter 155

Right now, Mrs. Thorne seemed to be scolding Lydia, but she was actually masterfully spinning the narrative.

She was subtly framing Lydia's violent slap as nothing more than a mother's fiercely protective instinct.

Mrs. Thorne reached out, gently patting Juniper's swollen cheek. "Come on, the doctor is right over there. I'll have him give you some ice. Does it hurt?"

Juniper stared blankly at the mother-daughter duo, turning her gaze away. "That won't be necessary, Mrs. Thorne."

Mrs. Thorne's smile stiffened slightly, unnerved by the calm, piercing disgust in Juniper's eyes—a look that stripped away all her hypocritical layers.

She withdrew her hand, forcing a polite smile. "It's swelling. You really should get it checked out."

Lydia chimed in seamlessly. "Come sit down, Juniper. I'll have the doctor apply some ointment."

Seeing the warm, forgiving atmosphere the Thornes were projecting, a few curious guests stepped closer. "You know her, Mrs. Thorne?"

They asked out of genuine curiosity.

Mrs. Thorne's face practically glowed with benevolent warmth as she patted Juniper's shoulder. "This is one of the students our family's foundation sponsored. She's incredibly bright."

So she was just a charity case sponsored by the Thornes.

Over the years, the Thorne family had launched numerous charitable organizations, earning glowing media coverage with Mrs. Thorne at the helm.

"I've heard you've built dozens of schools in rural villages, Mrs. Thorne. Those children must be so grateful to you."

Mrs. Thorne smiled gracefully, exuding an aura of effortless nobility.

Juniper was used to this sickeningly fake performance, listening silently as Mrs. Thorne expertly redirected the spotlight. "If all those children could leave the mountains and achieve as much as Juniper has, I'd say every penny was worth it."

"Your generosity is inspiring, Mrs. Thorne. I'm sure the children will work hard."

Juniper stood rigidly by the sidelines, catching sight of Josie walking back with a perfectly bandaged knee, her small hand firmly locked in Nelson's.

A wave of sheer exhaustion hit her, knowing that the child was likely going to hurl another baseless accusation her way.

She turned on her heel, desperate to leave.

But suddenly, a shrill scream tore through the elegant hall, followed by a disheveled maid sprinting frantically into the grand lobby.

But Walter shoved her away violently. "Where is Juniper?! She hasn't come home in forever, and now that we've dragged ourselves all the way to this damn city, she won't even come out to see us! Juniper! Juniper! Daddy is right here!"

His booming, drunken roar echoed through the massive hall, threatening to tear the roof off.

Standing just a few feet away, Juniper slowly closed her eyes.

She didn't feel humiliated; she felt a suffocating wave of despair.

The hundred or so guests in the room were the absolute pinnacle of high society. They stood in perfectly tailored suits, sipping expensive champagne, radiating an aura of untouchable elite privilege.

And there was Walter, wearing nothing but a pair of slacks, screaming obscenities, followed by a pale, terrified Beatrice.

Beatrice's mind had gone completely blank, her entire body trembling violently.

She gripped Walter's arm, her voice shaking uncontrollably. "I told you not to drink their liquor! Why didn't you listen to me?!"

Walter stubbornly shoved her away again. "Juniper! Juniper! Where is my daughter?! I'm looking for my daughter!"

Beatrice collapsed onto the floor, her eyes meeting the pristine, insanely expensive marble tiles, surrounded by polished designer shoes.