Chapter 20
As twilight painted the sky in shades of dusky rose and violet, the Bryant Manor bustled with the usual dinner preparations.
However, the air within its grand dining hall was heavy with tension.
Bacchus sat stoically at the head of the table, his presence casting a shadow over the gathering. Flanked on either side by his familles, the room was awash with silence, each member weighed down by the palpable unease.
Across from Bacchus, Clifford sat with an icy demeanor that only served to heighten the oppressive atmosphere.
It wasn’t until Horace relayed the day’s events that Clifford understood what had transpired in his absence. Winnie had been the subject of a verbal onslaught by Springer and Hobson, which even went so far as Nadine demanded Winnie to get out.
In his ignorance of the full story. Clifford had questioned Winnie’s decision to approach the Sanchez family on her own.
Then, much like the others, he had insensitively suggested that Winnie relinquish her room to Nadine.
It was no wonder that Winnie had expressed her desire to move out because of her profound disappointment.
Clifford had failed her as a parent.
“Clifford,” Leonie interjected, eyeing the growing unease, “It was Nadine’s childish folly that sparked this mess, and that’s on me. I’ll explain to Winnie and ask for her forgiveness…” At the sight of their tension, Leonie took the initiative to take the blame.
Before she could finish, Middleton, her husband, gripped her hand, his frown betraying his disagreement. “It’s not your fault,” he said. “Nadine’s just a kid. Nobody would take a kid’s words too seriously. Winnie’s making a mountain out of a molehill. She’s hardly been back two days and she’s already threatening to leave over some petty squabble…”
His rebuttal was cut short as Clifford’s frosty gaze turned upon him. “Middleton,” Clifford’s voice was chill, “My daughter came home only to be pushed to the brink of leaving. Is this at petty squabble?”
Middleton twitched his face, at a loss for words under Clifford’s piercing stare.
Clifford’s eyes swept over the rest of the family. “Nadine is young and was enticed by the allure
of Winnie’s room. That’s hardly a matter of consequence. The Bryant family is not some petty household that can’t afford a whimsy. If Nadine wants a room fit for a princess, then by all means, indulge her. Why must Winnie be the one to sacrifice her space?”
No one dared to speak, and Clifford grew sterner.
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“You don’t want Winnie to give up her room. Instead, you want her to grovel and beg for your acceptance because she’s new to the family!” he snapped.
“Clifford, that’s a harsh accusation,” someone dared to protest. “They’re just kids and don’t have such malice in mind.”
“Really? If they didn’t see Winnie as an outsider from the start, why would those harsh words come so easily to their lips? Even if it was a child’s tantrum, they should know better than to speak such words.”
Clifford was serious in tone, causing Nadine to shrink in fear into Leonle’s embrace and stifle
her tears.
Leonie was visibly distressed, saying, “I’ll apologize to Winnie. I’ll beg her to come back. Clifford, please don’t be too hard on Nadine…
Hobson, unable to bear the sight of his mother grovelling before Clifford, interjected with irritation. “Uncle Clifford, Winnie chose to leave of her own accord. No one forced her. And why should my mother have to beg for her return? Maybe Winnie left because she knew she’d angered the Sanchez family and feared Bacchus” wrath!”
Clifford turned his stern gaze on Hobson. “If Winnie errs, I will discipline her, and she owes no one else an explanation. Hobson, if that’s how you’re going to treat her, then you can forget about considering me as your uncle.”
His words weren’t loud but struck fear into his listeners. They were a stark reminder of Clifford’s authority.
Terrell, who had always held Clifford in high esteem, smacked his son to attention and tried to smooth things over with a smile. “Clifford, the kids may be sharp–tongued, but they’re not malicious. Winnie has always been part of our family and we all welcome her.”
Clifford darkened his gaze as he spoke with a suppressed anger. “Winnie was lost to us for eighteen years. No matter the comforts provided by the Henderson family, as their adopted child, she suffered many slights. Now that she’s finally returned, I will not have her endure any more hardship. I don’t expect everyone to cater to her, but at the very least, treat her as a member of this family.” He paused, his voice growing heavy. “If that’s too much to ask, then I’ll choose to move out with Winnie and Horace.”
The room fell silent at Clifford’s declaration. The family had not anticipated such a drastic measure over the return of Winnie.
Just then, Bacchus finally spoke, his voice devoid of anger but full of finality. “Clifford, I do not want to hear such talk again. The Bryant family stand united,” Bacchus continued sternly. “As long as I am here, no one will entertain thoughts of leaving.”
The room was hushed, no one daring to contradict Bacchus.
Even Springer could only grumble inwardly.
Bacchus then turned his gaze to Middleton and Leonie, addressing them without room for
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Chapter 20
argument, “Kids of the Bryant family had it all, every toy and gadget their hearts desired. Yet, as much as they were spoiled, they also needed to learn that the world didn’t revolve around their whims. If you don’t teach Nadine right, I’ll do it myself,” Bacchus declared with stern authority.
Nadine shivered at the thought of Bacchus taking over her discipline. Tears threatened to spill. Oh, how she dreaded that prospect.
Middleton and Leonie, the parents in question, exchanged nervous glances, hugging Nadine a little tighter, silently promising to do better.
Sensing that his point had been made, Bacchus turned to Horace lounging on the couch, his usual laid–back demeanor unaltered. “Horace, find time to bring Winnie back. We’ve got a party planned to formally introduce her as Ms. Bryant. She needs to be here for that.”
Horace smiled his trademark smile and nodded, “Understood.”
Before Bacchus could continue, the family butler entered the room, addressing Clifford. “Mr. Bryant, Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez have arrived.”
Clifford frowned slightly. It was an odd hour for the Sanchez family to come calling. Was it again about Winnie’s little escapade?
Sure, Winnie shouldn’t have spoken out of turn, but to come chasing after her all the way home felt a bit excessive.
Those kids, who had just been chastised themselves, kept silent, though they couldn’t help but exchange knowing looks, a schadenfreude glint in their eyes.
Winnie had stirred the pot, and now trouble was knocking at their door. They had claimed Winnie left just to shirk responsibility. And this wasn’t their fault at all.
As they mulled over this, Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez briskly entered, etched with urgency and
concern.
Clifford, assuming the misunderstanding was because of Winnie’s unannounced visit, softened his tone to welcome them.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez, I apologize for Winnie’s mischief today. I’ve given her a stern talking–to…”
Expecting the Sanchez family to let bygones be bygones, Clifford was taken aback when they reacted with a mix of panic and embarrassment.
“Please don’t say that. We misunderstood Master Bryant’s intentions. She was only trying to help and we failed to see it. We’ve realized our mistake and beg for an opportunity to apologize to Master Bryant in person!”
As Carola and her husband Malcolm finished, a surreal silence fell over the living room.
Springer widened his eyes in disbelief, doubting his ears. Had the Sanchez family come not to scold Winnie but to apologize?
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Chapter 20
And since when was Winnie referred to as Master Bryant? What on earth was going on?
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