Chapter 677:

Claire’s eyes widened in disbelief. She instinctively glanced at Thea, but Thea avoided her gaze.

“I… I didn’t know,” Claire stammered, her face paling as her voice trailed off into a whisper.

Elyse’s expression hardened. “Now, do you still expect an apology from me?”

The intensity of Elyse’s stare chilled Claire.

Seeking refuge, Claire hid behind her mother. She attempted to feign magnanimity, saying shakily, “Well, since you’re so pitiful, I won’t demand an apology from you.”

Elyse, unwilling to waste more time, turned to leave.

“Stop right there!”

Felicia’s sharp, authoritative voice rang out.

Elyse turned back. What did Felicia want?

“Apologize.” Felicia’s eyes glinted coldly; her voice was as unforgiving as a winter storm.

Refusing to yield, Elyse met Felicia’s gaze defiantly. “Miss Lipson already said she doesn’t need my apology.”

“That’s her choice. However, I believe you owe it to her. Apologize.” Felicia’s tone was businesslike, her expression unreadable.

After a tense moment, Elyse said steadily, “I won’t apologize. I did nothing wrong.”

As if expecting this, Felicia’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Such a stubborn girl. You won’t apologize, huh? Fine. I’ll lock you in the dark room and starve you for three days.”

Claire’s mother, feeling the punishment was too severe, interjected, “Forget it. It’s just a minor squabble. There’s no need for such harsh punishment.”

Felicia’s gaze remained cold. “Every Benson knows actions have consequences. Elyse refuses to acknowledge her wrongdoing, so she will face double the punishment.”

Felicia turned to the maid. “Lock her up. And anyone caught sneaking her food will join her.”

Felicia’s words hung in the air like a death sentence as the maid approached Elyse.

Elyse struggled, but her movements aggravated her back injury, causing her to gasp.

Thea secretly reveled in Elyse’s predicament, masking her satisfaction with feigned concern. “Grandma, Elyse seems so defiant. Doesn’t she understand she’s wrong?”

“Hmph!” Felicia snorted. “Starving for three days will make her see the light. I know how to handle a tough one.”

Thea, noting Felicia’s disdain, felt relieved.

Claire’s mother, rattled, grabbed Claire and left, eager to escape.

Claire was practically dragged out, her mother shooting her an angry glare. Feeling indignant, Claire protested, “Mom, what’s with that look? I didn’t do anything wrong!”

Her mother, seething, jabbed a finger at Claire’s forehead. “The Bensons never mentioned Rickey’s death. How come you kept talking about him? And how did you learn Elyse was back? Even I didn’t know!”

Claire’s head hung low. . . .