Chapter 675:

She shoved the maid away, hands behind her back. “I said I didn’t do it, so I didn’t. Don’t you dare hit me.”

Noticing Elyse protecting her hands, Thea’s eyes gleamed. “Grandma, look! She’s hiding her hands; she’s probably scared it’ll ruin her violin playing.”

She sneered. “Elyse, you’re family now, so steer clear of provoking Grandma. She detests the violin.”

Felicia’s eyes darkened at the mention of the violin, a sore spot Thea ruthlessly jabbed.

Her voice dripping with venom, Felicia pointed at Elyse. “Still thinking about playing the violin? Hit her palms so she can never play again!”

Elyse’s face drained of color. Before she could protest, the maid raised a ruler and brought it down with savage force.

Elyse, unable to evade the blow, twisted, letting the ruler crash against her back. The maid didn’t hold back, striking Elyse with all her might.

The crack of the splitting ruler silenced everyone. The maid, staring wide-eyed at the broken pieces, trembled, glancing nervously at Thea, who was reveling in Elyse’s punishment.

Claire, hand over her mouth, stood frozen. She’d never anticipated such brutality; she’d thought Felicia would simply demand an apology, not resort to violence. A pang of guilt gnawed at her conscience.

Elyse, gritting her teeth, absorbed the blow. The initial impact was a dull thud, but soon searing pain flared, as if her skin was being ripped apart. Despite the agony, she remained silent, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a pained cry. Regaining her composure, her gaze turned icy as she stared at Claire.

Claire averted her gaze. Why was Elyse looking at her like that? She hadn’t hit her!

Elyse sneered. “Now that I’ve taken the hit, can we settle the matter between us?”

Claire’s voice trembled. “What’re you talking about?”

Elyse smirked. “You claimed I bullied you. Did I physically harm you? Slap you? Rob you?”

Claire, feigning toughness, crossed her arms. “None of the above—but you insulted me.”

“And what, pray tell, did I say?”

Claire’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She stood stunned and speechless.

Sensing something was off, Claire’s mother stepped forward, her expression darkening. She’d come seeking justice, spurred by Claire’s accusations.

Cambape was a city where a few elite families wielded fragmented power. The Lipson family, while not the most elite, held a respectable reputation. Letting a Benson bully their daughter without consequence was unacceptable. But now, things seemed different. . . .