Chapter 84

Whenever Santino and Latisha were together, a primal sense of panic bloomed in her gut, a fear with no logical source. Renata often told herself it was because of what happened when they were kids—that one time Latisha had played the victim and tricked her brother. Perhaps she was just being paranoid.

But now, with the maids as witnesses, the evidence was undeniable. What excuse could she possibly use to soothe her own anxieties now?

"Keep this to yourselves," Renata warned them, her voice low and threatening. "If I hear anyone talking about this again, don't blame me for what happens."

She spun on her heel and left.

Back in the living room, Santino was chatting with the others as if nothing had happened, not even sparing her a glance. Renata sat down beside him, about to speak, when the front door opened and Clifford walked in.

The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted, and the chatter died down.

"Clifford, you're here! Come in," Polly called out, her face lighting up with a genuine joy she only ever showed for him.

Clifford gave a curt nod, his eyes scanning the room. "Where's Latisha?"

The smile froze on Polly's face. Her own son walks in the door and the first person he asks for is that mute. A fire of resentment kindled in her heart.

Santino answered smoothly, "She's probably busy in the kitchen."

A cold smirk touched Clifford's lips. "Did we run out of staff?"

Polly was not pleased. She shot a sideways glare at Santino, suspecting he was deliberately stirring up trouble. "Clifford, she's just helping out. It's not like we sent her off to war. Why are you so worked up? Anyone would think we're bullying your wife."

Clifford met her gaze. "Then why isn't anyone else in there helping? Or can this meal not be made without her?"

His tone was aggressive, and Polly was stunned that he would defend Latisha so fiercely in front of everyone, showing her no respect at all.

"What's that supposed to mean, Clifford? Are you saying I'm deliberately making things difficult for her?"

"I didn't say that. I just think if you

don't

to sit at the same table

with someone, you shouldn't

ave

invited them over in the first place.'

"You..."

Polly was speechless. Before she could retort, Wallace's deep voice boomed, "That's enough! I called you all here for dinner not to fight if you want to argue, take it outside! Honestly, what a disgrace

Wallace's outburst silenced the room. Polly bit her lip, mentally cursing the old man.

Just then, Latisha emerged from the

dining room carrying a tray. She

paused when she heard Clifford call

her name, glancing over at him

before setting the tray down and walking över.

Clifford took her hand, his gaze intense. "Why didn't you call me to come with you?"

Latisha looked down, not answering. What was the point? When she needed him, he was never there.

"Alright, let's eat," Wallace announced.

As everyone started moving toward the dining room, Halston darted out from nowhere, brandishing a toy gun.

“Biu!” he shouted. “You're dead, stupid mute!”

With a look of grotesque self-righteousness, he pulled the trigger. A plastic pellet

shot out and hit Latisha right at the corner of her eye.

A sharp, unexpected pain seared through her. Her vision went dark for a second, and she clutched her face, slowly doubling over.