Chapter 281
[ 484 words ]
Chapter 281:
Two hours later, the massive oak doors of the Romero family estate swung open. Jarrod and Caroline stepped into the grand foyer.
Caroline was wearing the midnight-blue velvet gown. Her hair was swept up elegantly. She looked every inch the untouchable Romero matriarch.
Jarrod, in a bespoke black suit, kept his left hand firmly on the small of her back, guiding her forward while his right arm remained held rigidly and protectively against his side, shielded by the structured tailoring of his jacket. It was a silent, physical warning to anyone who dared approach.
They were escorted by the butler, Carson Finch, into the grand dining room. The massive mahogany table was set with antique silver and crystal.
General Augustus sat at the head of the table. Cornelia and her daughter, Harper, were seated to his right, their faces tight with forced politeness.
As Caroline entered, Cornelia’s eyes immediately darted to her. They flashed with pure, unadulterated hatred, remembering the humiliating tea spill earlier that day.
𝗥𝘰𝗺а𝘯𝗰𝖾 𝗻o𝘃elѕ 𝗈𝘯 𝘨а𝘭𝗻𝘰𝘷е𝗹𝘴.cоm
Caroline met Cornelia’s gaze with a serene, chillingly polite smile. She was completely unbothered by the venom directed at her.
Jarrod pulled out the chair directly to the General’s left, the seat of the heir, and seated Caroline there. He took the seat next to her, his injured right side carefully angled away from the table to ensure the brace remained undisturbed.
Harper scowled. She was clearly insulted that the “nobody nurse” was seated in a position of higher honor than her.
The dinner began. The atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. The clinking of silverware echoed loudly in the cavernous room.
Harper, unable to control her petty jealousy, attempted to humiliate Caroline.
“So, Caroline,” Harper asked loudly across the table. “Which community college did you attend for your nursing degree?”
The table went dead silent. Jarrod’s left hand tightened around his wine glass, ready to verbally decimate his half-sister.
But before Jarrod or Caroline could speak, General Augustus slammed his heavy silver fork down onto his plate with a resounding crack.
The patriarch fixed Harper with a terrifying, cold stare.
“Caroline’s profession saves lives,” the General’s voice boomed like thunder across the room, reprimanding her. “While your only achievement is spending my money on frivolous parties and designer bags.”
Harper turned pale. She shrank back into her chair, completely humiliated by being dressed down in front of the woman she despised.
Cornelia tried to intervene. “I apologize for my daughter’s poor phrasing, Father,” Cornelia offered weakly, her hands trembling slightly in her lap.
The General ignored Cornelia entirely. He turned to Caroline. His harsh features softened into an expression of genuine, grudging respect.
He asked Caroline a highly technical question about emergency trauma protocols, referencing a recent news story about a pile-up on the Beltway.
Caroline answered flawlessly. Her voice was calm and authoritative, demonstrating her deep medical knowledge and quick thinking under pressure.
The General nodded approvingly.
“The Romero family needs more people with actual brains and backbone,” the General stated publicly, looking pointedly at Cornelia.
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