chapter313
Winnie stifled her sobs, but tears rolled down like broken pearls.
The thought of Diane Huffman rejecting her filled Winnie with dread and unease.
Weeping, she promised Maxine, “No, Winnie won’t tell.”
Meanwhile, Diane Huffman stood in the first–floor guest room, ear pressed to the doorframe, listening to Winnie’s cries.
The louder Winnie cried, the more satisfaction Diane felt.
R
Hearing the sobs, Diane even fought the urge to storm out and slap Winnie.
But for long–term plans, she couldn’t reveal her true self yet.
Harmony Residence
Bianca Watts had already been lying in bed after washing up, drifting into sleep when she felt a small body slip under the covers.
She turned over and reached out, startling awake as her hand touched warm skin.
Her sleepiness vanished instantly.
Bianca scrambled backward, alert: “Who’s there?”
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chapter313
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In the dimness, Winnie’s hoarse voice answered, “Mommy, it’s me.”
Hearing this, Bianca’s tense body relaxed.
Yet recalling Winnie’s attitude toward her, Bianca replied coldly, “Your room is next door.”
Winnie nuzzled closer, whispering, “But Mommy, I want to sleep with you.”
She’d gone to Diane earlier but encountered Maxine instead.
Maxine claimed she’d stay until Winnie slept, but it was all talk.
Before Winnie drifted off, Maxine’s snores filled the room.
Besides, Maxine had hurt her with pinches.
Winnie was a princess–when had she ever endured such treatment?
Though heartbroken, she hesitated to tell Bianca about the pinches.
Bianca didn’t want Winnie in her bed, but the child refused to leave, her plea so pitiful.
Softening, Bianca neither hugged nor comforted her, simply murmuring, “Hmm.”
Lying beside Bianca, Winnie felt inexplicably safe, no longer fearing pinches or blows.
That night, Winnie wanted to snuggle into Bianca’s arms and sleep while holding her several times.
But Bianca never gave her the chance to get close.
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The next morning, Bianca woke first and saw Winnie sleeping beside her. Unbidden tears welled in her eyes.
Yet remembering Winnie’s attitude toward her, she steeled herself and left the bedroom.
While heading downstairs after washing up, Bianca heard the old man say, “I’m going for a walk. I’ll have breakfast when I’m back.”
Reuben’s voice responded, “Got it, Grandpa. Take your time.”
Hearing that familiar voice, Bianca froze mid–step.
After a momentary pause, she continued downstairs.
Reuben was curled up on the sofa, scrolling through videos on his phone.
Hearing footsteps, he glanced up. Spotting Bianca, he rolled his eyes and sneered, “Still not cooking this late? Really playing the lady of the house now?”
Bianca ignored him and moved toward the door.
But Reuben wasn’t done. He taunted, “Petty origins will never be classy.”
Bianca paused mid–step toward the exit. Unable to resist, she turned back toward Reuben, her voice icy. “Saying those things only proves you’re no better yourself.”
Reuben had always disliked Bianca. Her defiance now ignited his temper. “Say that again!”
Bianca scoffed. “I’ll say it ten times over. You’re the trash not worth mentioning.”
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chapter313
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Reuben snapped. Slamming his phone down, he stormed toward her. “You’re looking for trouble.”
As he closed in, Reuben raised his hand to strike her.
Before his hand descended, a stern command echoed from upstairs. “Reuben, stop!”
It was Blair’s voice.
Hearing his elder brother, Reuben instinctively froze, retracting his hand.
Blair descended the staircase in pale gray pajamas. Each step fell like a hammer pounding against Reuben’s chest.
Only when Blair stood before him did Reuben rasp, “Brother.” Head bowed like a chastened child, his voice scraped raw with uncertainty.
Blair showed no mercy. His foot lashed out, landing squarely behind Reuben’s knee.
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