Chapter 19
When Winnie dropped the bombshell, even Clifford, usually as steady as a rock, had a moment of utter confusion. It was like he hadn’t grasped what she’d just said.
Weren’t they just talking about switching rooms? How did it suddenly escalate to moving out?
Springer and Hobson were equally stunned, thinking Winnie was making a fuss.
“Is it necessary?”
It’s such a trivial issue.
Hobson was dismissive as well. “We’re not kids anymore. Running away from home won’t fly with the Bryant family.”
He thought Winnie was talking big. After all, the Bryant and the Henderson families were among Emerald Bay’s elite merchant families, and he doubted Winnie would willingly leave all that luxury.
Leonie interrupted with feigned concern. “Winnie, you made a mistake, and your father just called you out on it. Why escalate it to running away from home? You’re being too childish.”
Then, Clifford began to sense that something was amiss.
He had seen Springer’s attitude toward Winnie the day before but had thought it was just Springer adjusting to suddenly having a cousin. But whether it was Hobson, Cutler, or even Leonie, none seemed friendly toward Winnie.
If they’re this brazen when he’s right there, who knows what they’re saying behind his back?
“Winnie, you…” Clifford furrowed his brows, wanting to get to the bottom of it, but Winnie had no intention of hearing him out.
She turned and called into the room, and in a flash, a snow–white, round little fox darted into her
arms.
She scooped it up and picked up the bag she had brought from her apartment, turning to head downstairs just as she had arrived.
It wasn’t until that moment that Clifford realized he must have done something wrong. He reached out to stop her.
“Winnie, you can talk about what’s upsetting you. Don’t…” Don’t act on impulse. Clifford wanted
to say so.
But Winnie looked at him with eyes full of calm. “I’m not upset.” she replied.
She was giving up.
Winnie had always known she was a stranger to familial warmth. For the past eighteen years, she hadn’t experienced such things in the Henderson family, so how could she expect them
16:39
Chapter 19
from the Bryant family?
Maybe Horace accepted her, but the Bryant family wasn’t just his to control.
If they couldn’t get along, there was no point in trying.
After freeing herself from the Henderson family’s shackles, she wanted to live freely, following
her heart.
Carrying the little fox, she walked past Clifford without a backward glance, her departure
resolute.
“She… she’s running away from her problems. That’s just irresponsible. Springer muttered under his breath as Winnie followed through, but Terrell slapped him upside the head before he could finish.
“Mind your own business, will you? Shut it!” Terrell snapped.
Silenced by paternal force, Springer finally clammed up.
Horace had been silent until then but stood up to follow her.
Winnie thought he was coming to persuade her to stay, but instead, Horace turned to the butler and arranged for a car to take her away. He looked at her, his handsome face softened with a unique tenderness. “You did nothing wrong.”
Winnie was confused.
Horace continued, “You’ve just arrived home. If you keep yielding, others will think you’re a pushover and become even more brazen. But showing your stance like this from the beginning will make them think twice.”
As Horace spoke, there was a hint of pride in his voice.
Winnie was speechless. It seemed Horace took her declaration of moving out as a power move, but she was serious about leaving.
She opened her mouth to clarify. “I didn’t mean…”
But Horace’s gentle voice interrupted her. “I have an apartment in Clearwater Bay. You can stay there for a few days. I’ll have a maid come by daily to clean and cook for you. Stay there. and don’t worry.” He narrowed his eyes slightly, adding, “I’ll take care of today’s matter and make sure you get an explanation.”
Meeting Horace’s earnest gaze, Winnie was at a loss for words.
If anyone was the perfect example of a great brother, it was Horace.
She liked a brother like him.
She bowed slightly, only to feel a warm hand gently rest atop her head.
“You’re my sister. If they can’t recognize that, I’ll have to straighten out their thinking and clear their heads until they see clearly.”
16:39
Chapter
Horace’s words came with his usual gentle smile, but a dangerous chill flickered in his eyes.
Winnie could almost envision Horace smiling as he made a killing gesture.
Swallowing hard, Winnie softly agreed, “Okay.” She was quite looking forward to it.
After a moment, Winnie put the fox into the car and pulled out two good luck charms from her bag to give to Horace.
“I carved these lucky charms myself for you and him.”
“He‘ was, of course, her father, Clifford. But given the recent situation, she didn’t feel like handing them over herself and left It to Horace.
Hearing that she had handcrafted them, Horace’s eyes lit up, and he accepted them with a smile. “I’ll keep them close.”
Winnie nodded and, without further ado, entered the car.
Horace stood, watching the vehicle drive away, and after it had vanished, he slowly turned around. The smile playing on his lips disappeared, replaced by a frosty resolve.
Back in the Bryant family’s living room, Clifford and the others awaited Horace’s return, knowing Winnie had decided to move out since he returned alone.
Clifford looked troubled. “Winnie wouldn’t stay?”
Horace didn’t answer his question. He walked up to him and said evenly. “Father, regarding the details of today’s events, I believe I must explain them to you thoroughly.”
For some reason, at the sound of Horace’s even voice, a shiver ran down the spines of the siblings.
Winnie no longer paid attention to the Bryant family bickering in the backseat of the car. Instead, she rummaged through her purse and pulled out a stick of gum.
She hadn’t anticipated her connection to the Bryant family would come to light so quickly, but it was because she had blurted out some nonsense during her visit. The Sanchez family wouldn’t dare confront Clifford without solid reason, not if they wanted to keep the peace between the families.
The Sanchez family’s extreme reaction suggested that something must have happened to Lucy.
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