Chapter 625:

Calvin managed a small, brighter smile.

Meanwhile, Betty and the girl returned to a sprawling, luxurious manor.

As they stepped inside, a teacup flew across the room, shattering against Betty’s forehead and leaving a bloody gash.

Betty winced at the sharp pain but remained silent, standing rigidly.

The girl jumped back, her eyes widening as she noticed Betty’s wound.noveldrama

Anger flared within her as she turned to the woman on the sofa, her expression a mix of shock and defiance. “I ran off on my own! It’s not Betty’s fault, so why are you hurting her?”

Had Kallie been present, she would have instantly recognized the woman lounging on the sofa. It was none other than Cara, Clayton’s younger sister.

However, Cara appeared remarkably composed now, in contrast to her previously erratic demeanor.

Cara’s face darkened as she stood and grabbed the girl’s ear, her voice a low snarl. “Elma Reeves, do you think I won’t punish you?”

Elma winced but remained defiant, tears spilling over her lashes as she bit her lip, refusing to cry out.

Cara’s eyes narrowed at Elma’s defiant expression, a storm of anger brewing within her. “I’m your mother! Why can’t you ever show me some respect? Apologize.”

“No!” Elma’s voice shook with pain, but she held firm, her defiance unwavering.

Betty’s instincts screamed for her to intervene, but she dared not. Instead, she found herself nearly bowing in front of Cara.

Her voice trembling, she said, “Ma’am, it’s my fault. I lost sight of her. She’s been worried about disappointing you and wanted to apologize. She respects you deep down.”

Cara sneered, “Do you think I’m that gullible? I’ve poured everything into raising Elma, but all she does is defy me. I’m trying to teach her right, but she doesn’t even care!” Cara’s grip was unyielding, and blood began to seep from Elma’s ear.

Elma’s face was streaked with tears, but she stubbornly held back any sound.

The other servants in the room exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to intervene.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” Just then, a man’s stern voice rang out.

Only then did Cara grudgingly release her grip on Elma’s ear.

Betty quickly shielded Elma behind her. Finally, Elma let out a wail.

Clayton rushed over, his face hardening when he saw the blood still trickling from Elma’s ear. He fixed Cara with an icy stare.

Cara’s previous cockiness evaporated. She was a bit scared of Clayton, and her voice came out small. “Clayton, don’t look at me like that. It wasn’t me.”

Clayton scooped Elma up, soothing her gently. “Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. Uncle’s here. No one’s going to hurt you now.”

Cara stamped her foot, clearly frustrated. “Clayton, what are you implying? I was just disciplining Elma, not bullying her. She could’ve gotten hurt wandering off like that! I scolded her when she got back, and she wouldn’t listen. What was I supposed to do?”

Cara was about to blow her top. Clayton quickly passed Elma to Betty, silently urging Betty to take Elma away.

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