Chapter 510
510:
“Daddy got called away and left me all alone. I don’t like it here.” Patrick’s eyes flashed with hurt as he glared at Tina. “She just called me a bastard!”
Brenna’s expression turned cold. Just as she had feared, the notorious infighting within the Russell family had already ensnared an innocent child. Even siblings in the family seemed to take pleasure in tearing each other down. She crouched down to Patrick’s level. “Stay with me. I’ll make sure she regrets calling you that.”
“Okay!” Patrick’s eyes brightened with a hint of vengeful anticipation as he nodded eagerly.
At noon, Amy Russell, the matriarch of the Russell family, made her entrance. She was silver-haired yet surprisingly spry. Her rosy cheeks and lively stride belied her age. She seemed to be in a good mood.
“You must be the Harper girl who has recently returned,” Amy said to Brenna.
“Yes, that’s me. Happy birthday, Mrs. Russell,” Brenna said respectfully.
Amy’s gaze lingered pointedly on Brenna’s arm linked with Ethan’s. “You are quite the beauty. Have you been engaged to Ethan?”
Brenna answered, “No, but we are dating.”
Amy’s lips pursed slightly. “I always thought Rosie would become Ethan’s wife. All of this is rather unexpected. It is clear Shepard favors his daughter over his niece.”
Brenna’s polite smile vanished. Beneath Amy’s kind exterior lurked a sharp tongue; these carefully chosen words were intended to make her uncomfortable.
Rosie, Isabella, and Jade stood nearby, exchanging amused glances as they watched Brenna’s reaction. Would she dare to confront the elder of the Russell family?
“Mrs. Russell,” Rosie said sweetly, slipping her arm through Amy’s with practiced ease, “you have always been so kind to me.”
Amy shot Brenna a disapproving look while patting Rosie’s hand tenderly. “The Harpers display such poor manners—not a single family member came to…”
“Celebrate my eightieth birthday. But you came here to celebrate with me. Remember, if the Harper family ever mistreats you, I will stand up for you.”
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Rosie beamed. “Thank you, Mrs. Russell.”
Brenna almost laughed. The audacity of this meddling old woman. Her own family was a hotbed of conflict, yet here she was, trying to meddle in the Harper family’s affairs.
Her attempt to create animosity between her and Rosie was clear. Brenna believed Amy was clearly not a good person. But given Amy’s obvious favoritism, Brenna wondered if she envisioned Rosie marrying someone from the Russell family.
Rosie gave Brenna a challenging look, clearly anticipating an outburst that would incur Amy’s wrath.
Just as Brenna opened her mouth to respond, Ethan gave her hand a soft squeeze. He then spoke with a calm that betrayed no surprise at Amy’s words. He was well aware that refined manners were a rare commodity within the Russell family.
“Mrs. Russell, Rosie has always been treated well in the Harper family. Luther cherishes her, Shepard has raised her like his own daughter, and I have always regarded her as a sister.”
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