Since they wouldn’t let her have peace, she was determined to make everyone pay.
Adah, standing nearby, was shocked to hear Claire hurl such insults at Nathan. Her hands flew to her mouth, her face a mask of fear and anxiety. She shrieked, "Claire, how can you speak to your father like that? You've crossed a line!"
Vanessa stopped crying and peeked out from behind Adah, muttering softly, "Sis, how could you wish such a thing on Dad? That's so ungrateful."
Claire, as if she’d just heard the most absurd joke, retorted, "I crossed a line? I'm ungrateful? Look into your hearts and ask yourselves if you deserve my respect! How have you treated me all these years? Have you ever considered me family?"
"You show me who you are, and I'll show you how I feel."
"Understand?!"
Nathan's fury erupted upon hearing such rebellious words. His eyes were bloodshot, like those of a bull provoked beyond reason.
He violently shook off Ethan's restraining grasp, raising a fist to strike Claire.
Remarkably, Ethan and Adah just watched coldly, seemingly ready to let Nathan teach her a lesson.
Just as Nathan's fist was about to land, May rushed in, shielding Claire with her body. "Sir, you can't hit her! Miss Claire is injured!"
Nathan roared, "Get out of my way! Today, I’ll beat some sense into this ungrateful brat."
As he said this, he swung his fist toward May's face.
May shut her eyes, bracing for the blow.
But it never came. After a long, tense moment, May opened her eyes slowly. She saw Claire, who had somehow pulled out a shiny utility knife, its blade pointed directly at Nathan.
Claire's eyes were icy, devoid of any warmth. Her grip on the knife was steady, without a hint of trembling. Any move Nathan made would be met with a swift and merciless response from the blade aimed at his fist.
The air in the room froze; everyone inhaled sharply.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom