Chapter 5: The Dinner Table Tension

“Aunt, you don’t know what happened earlier. Wendy hit me!” Caro wailed, showing her wounds to her mother, appearing as miserable as possible. Upon seeing the marks on Caro's face, her mother’s expression darkened, and she turned angrily towards Wendy. Wendy turned her head, seemingly unwilling to admit it, but the evidence was undeniable. It was just the two of them who went outside, so who else could it be? Her mother pulled Caro closer, noticing her wet clothes and the slap mark on her face. Trembling with anger, she asked, "Wendy! Was it you?" Even if she wanted to deny it, it was impossible. Wendy could only turn to face them and say, "Yes, it was me. I couldn’t stand her framing me and treating me this way. Aren’t we supposed to be sisters?" As she spoke, Wendy also wiped away a tear, her eyes filled with grievance. In contrast to Caro’s hysterics, Wendy’s fragile tears were much more endearing. Caro hadn’t expected Wendy to openly reveal their earlier conversation. She looked nervously at her mother, trying to explain, but her mother continued, “Wendy, even if that’s true, you shouldn’t hit people!” “Apologize!” Wendy stood her ground, refusing to move. “She fell into the fountain because she lost her balance. She deserved the slap, and I’m not sorry!” Her firm words made everyone uncomfortable. Seeing the guests present, her mother didn't want to make a scene. She sternly said to Wendy, “Wendy, apologize!” “I won’t!” Wendy’s defiant words were followed by tears falling from her eyes, which only made her more sympathetic. Her brothers, seeing their sister’s distress, wanted to step forward and defend her. As the tension grew, the old master of the Baron family intervened, trying to diffuse the situation with a laugh. “It’s just a little squabble between the girls, no need to make it ugly.” He approached Caro, observing that despite her disheveled appearance, she wasn’t seriously hurt. “I see no real harm done. If Caro hadn’t provoked Wendy, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s clearly Caro’s fault!” His blatant favoritism was surprising. “Let’s move on and discuss the engagement instead!” Wendy’s heart raced at the mention of her engagement. Was she really going to marry that old man? Should she plan to run away? As Wendy was lost in thought, the old master of the Baron family grabbed Kairia’s hand and led him to Wendy. Smiling kindly, he said, “Wendy, this is your fiancé!” “What?” Wendy stared at Kairia in shock, seeing that he too seemed surprised to learn she was his fiancée. Not only had he witnessed her actions earlier, but now he was supposed to be her fiancé. Despite his silence, Wendy couldn’t accept this turn of events. Lost in thought, Wendy didn’t notice Kairia looking at her. His first impression of her was fascinating—she had gone from fierce to tearful, seeking comfort. Intriguing indeed. “Could this really be happening? Am I actually going to marry him?” The old master, still smiling, said, “Wendy, this engagement was arranged from childhood and agreed upon with your grandfather. It cannot be broken!” His words crushed any hope Wendy had of escaping the engagement. She could only bite her lip and step back. “Now that you’ve met, let’s sit down for dinner,” the old master announced. Meanwhile, Caro, still wet and miserable, was ignored by everyone. She had always been the center of attention, and this sudden neglect was unbearable. Feeling wronged, she scanned the room, but no one seemed to care. With no choice, she went to her room to change clothes and then joined the dinner table, finding only a seat at the far end. Previously, she had always sat next to her aunt and uncle, but now Wendy occupied that spot. Everyone was talking to Wendy, ignoring Caro completely, which filled her with resentment. Seeing Caro’s discomfort, her mother approached, gently wiping her forehead. “Are you feeling unwell? If you are, you can go rest.” This sudden concern made Caro happy. She quickly grabbed her aunt’s hand, saying, “Aunt, I want to sit next to you!” Feeling awkward, her aunt glanced around, finding no available seats. “Caro, we have guests. We can’t ask them to move.” Caro, still dissatisfied, glanced at Wendy and said, “Then I’ll switch places with Wendy. I like the food there.” Her words silenced the table, everyone looking at her disapprovingly. Kairia, wiping his mouth with a napkin, looked at Caro and said, “Miss Caro, suddenly changing seats is not ladylike.” Feeling the tension, Caro began to cry, “I just like the food there. I didn’t mean anything else. How could you think that of me?” Her sobbing and pitiful looks fell on deaf ears. The guests, annoyed by her outburst, put down their utensils, their good mood ruined.