Chapter 32
Barton’s declaration cut through the air, casting a spotlight on his relationship with Winnie.
His voice was not loud, but it carried in such a way that the other guests couldn’t help but overhear, their gazes shifting to him with newfound respect and eagerness.
This man, who had taken in the daughter of the Bryant family, must certainly be their benefactor.
Barton didn’t need to look around to feel the warm glances suddenly directed at him, a silent confirmation that his objective had been achieved.
However, what went unnoticed was Clifford’s expression darkening in an instant upon hearing Barton’s words.
Clifford had been considering having the Henderson family discreetly escorted out by security when they caught his attention, but before he could make arrangements, Barton had brazenly approached.
Both men were seasoned in the cutthroat world of business. Upon this face–to–face encounter. each understood the other’s intentions all too clearly.
Bacchus maintained his amiable facade, the smile on his face deceivingly gentle to the casual
observer.
“So are you Winnie’s foster parents? She has been under your care for years. For that, we are grateful,” Bacchus commented genially.
“If we had known sooner that Winnie was a member of the Bryant family, we would have reunited her with you much earlier,” Barton replied with feigned humility.
“Oh?” Bacchus responded, lifting an eyebrow before turning to Clifford, “The Henderson family has raised Winnie, which makes them esteemed guests in our home. Clifford, take Mr. Henderson upstairs and show him some proper hospitality. We wouldn’t want to be discourteous.”
Clifford had been itching to expel the Henderson family, but he understood the subtext in Bacchus‘ words. If Barton went upstairs, how would he leverage the guests to curry favor with the Bryant family?
Barton quickly interjected, “Actually, the Henderson Group had just finalized a deal with the Bright Group. I know Mr. Bryant’s generosity is thanks to Winnie, and I came here specifically to express my gratitude. If there have been any misunderstandings, I hope the Bright Group can overlook them.”
He knew better than to publicly embarrass the Bryant family, so he mentioned the deal without revealing that it had been unilaterally canceled by them, offering an excuse for the prior withdrawal, suggesting a continuation of the partnership.
Clifford saw right through Barton’s intention, which was to bind the Henderson family to the
12:21
Bryant family in the eyes of the guests. Even If the Bright Group refused to collaborate with the Henderson family, other groups eager to be in the Bryant family’s good graces would extend offers.
Clifford wasn’t one to indulge in such antics.
“Mr. Henderson, you’re kidding. The Bright Group has long since dissolved its partnership with the Henderson Group. As for the reasons, I believe your wife and daughter are well aware,” Clifford stated firmly.
Taken aback by Clifford’s directness and the mention of Suzan and Kathryn, Barton internally cursed but maintained a facade of earnest surprise, pleading, “Mr. Bryant, there must be some misunderstanding. I sincerely hope to work with the Bright Group.” He then turned to Winnie, who had been silent throughout the exchange, “Winnie, speak for your father, won’t you?”
Clifford, seeing Barton dragging Winnie into this, stepped protectively in front of her, stating, “Mr. Henderson, Winnie is my daughter, not yours.”
Suzan, unable to hold back, chimed in, “Winnie, we didn’t teach you to be ungrateful. Say something.”
Their words put Winnie on the spot as they reminded her of the family that had raised her. To show indifference to the Henderson family in such a public setting would tarnish her reputation.
Kathryn eagerly joined the fray, her voice laced with a plea, “Winnie, Mom and Dad have always treated you as their own. You can’t forget us now that you’ve found your real father.”
As the guests‘ attention turned to the unfolding drama, Suzan’s voice broke, “I know you’ve found your birth family, but we’re your family too. I thought I never let you suffer, how could you change like this?”
The Henderson family’s united front sparked whispers among the guests. The more seasoned players remained silent, but the younger and more idealistic ones began to lose their initial. admiration for Winnie, some even voicing their disapproval.
“Even if you’re welcomed back into the Bryant family, the Henderson family raised you. Don’t you think it’s a bit off, Ms. Bryant, to treat your foster parents like this?”
“I’ve always thought of the Hendersons as decent people. Ms. Bryant doesn’t need to steer clear of them like they’re some sort of disease.”
Clifford flushed with anger, ready to lash out in defense when suddenly someone tugged at his
arm.
It was Winnie pulling him back, stepping forward, her exquisite face betraying no emotion as she gave a cursory glance at the accusers before her gaze lightly touched upon the Henderson family of three.
Without a word, she began to remove her right glove.
Chapter 32
The crowd watched, perplexed, as Winnie took off her glove and raised her delicate arm, revealing a stark scar on her otherwise flawless skin.
Winnie looked straight at Suzan and said coldly. “When I was seven, Kathryn accidentally fell into the lake. Mrs. Henderson, uport arriving and seeing me safe on the shore, pushed me into the water. She said that if Kathryn suffered, I should too. This scar is from when I was pushed. and cut my arm on the rocks by the shore. You should remember this.”
At these words, the Bryant family shot glaring looks at Suzan, while the rest of the guests wore disbelief, unable to comprehend such logic.
Suzan’s eyes darted briefly, but she kept her composure. “It was an accident,” she retorted, “You tripped by yourself. How can you accuse me of pushing you?”
Winnie remained calm and continued, “When I was ten, Kathryn was injured and hospitalized, needing a blood transfusion. Despite the hospital having a sufficient blood supply, you insisted on having the nurse draw blood from me for Kathryn. You said that since we were sisters, she would recover faster with my blood.”
The guests were dumbfounded. What kind of twisted logic was that?
Any schoolchild knew that for a transfusion, you just need a matching blood type. People began to suspect that Mrs. Henderson might be lacking some basic common sense.
Clifford, however, was seething with anger. These events were private, ones that no investigation could have uncovered.
What Winnie said next left everyone completely stunned – “As a child, I never understood why every time Kathryn faced misfortune, you made me undergo the same, or demanded that I take care of her. It wasn’t until later that I realized the reason. Kathryn was born weak, a magnet for calamity, and you took me in not for love but because you believed I had a stronger fate, hoping to use my good fortune to shield Kathryn from misfortunes.”
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