Chapter 169: Chapter 169: The Whereabouts of the Other Child (Part 1)
"Claire." Brenda couldn’t help but call out when she saw the scene, but Claire North did not look back.
Mrs. Hawthorne held Brenda’s hand and laughed, saying, "Mrs. North, don’t worry. Claire is definitely going to talk with Raina. It’s good that the sisters are so close, they can help each other in the future."
Brenda managed a smile: "What Mrs. Hawthorne says is true."
...
"Sister." Claire North called softly, her beautiful eyes lingering on Elias Hawthorne, her face flushing as she whispered, "President Hawthorne."
Raina North observed Claire’s reaction and said indifferently, "Since you called me sister, shouldn’t you call Elias Hawthorne brother-in-law?"
"I..." Claire’s eyes reddened instantly.
Raina raised an eyebrow: "Am I wrong? Who are you putting on such a pitiful face for? Surely not for your brother-in-law."
"I didn’t! Sister, how can you say that about me! I..." Claire looked pitifully at Elias Hawthorne.
Elias kept his eyes downcast, his face unperturbed, as if Claire North was nothing but air.
This time, Claire was truly pitiful.
Raina continued: "Then why are you standing there? Hurry up and greet your brother-in-law."
Claire noticed many people watching, their eyes somewhat odd, and she silently gritted her teeth, hating Raina more, yet she could only call out "brother-in-law."
"Hmm." Elias nodded slightly, which counted as a response.
Claire wasn’t happy at all because Elias only responded for Raina’s sake.
She gritted her teeth bitterly, took a deep breath: "Sister, I want to talk to you." Before Raina could refuse: "It’s about something you really want to know from the past."
Raina looked at Claire for a while and suddenly agreed: "Alright."
"Mommy!" Casper North pulled at Raina, looking at her worriedly.
This aunt hated his mommy to the core, and now wanting to talk to mommy surely meant no good intentions.
"I won’t be in any trouble." Raina touched Casper’s little face: "Remember to stay with Baby tonight, okay?"
Her past wasn’t a secret, and Casper’s identity was easy to guess. Because of Elias’s relationship, people constantly flattered and praised, but privately, they absolutely wouldn’t say anything nice.
She didn’t care about those slanders and insults but couldn’t let any of it splash onto her child.
Casper pressed his lips together: "Got it."
Baby Hawthorne quickly said: "Mommy, don’t worry, I’ll be with Casper all night."
Raina’s expression was gentle: "Good boy, Baby."
Claire North linked her arm with Raina’s, wearing a proper smile, and amidst the crowd’s envy, they walked across the lawn and entered the living room.
As soon as they stepped inside, Claire viciously threw Raina’s arm aside.
The smile on her face disappeared completely: "I thought you didn’t care about that little brat anymore!"
Raina’s face turned slightly cold: "Claire North, if I were you, I’d speak carefully."
Claire met Raina’s gaze; the indifferent, cold gaze made her heart tremble, and a chill seeped through her, as if she were plunged into an ice cellar.
Realizing she was frightened by Raina, a sudden anger and shame welled up inside Claire.
She hated Raina fiercely, but had no choice but to be a bit polite: "You want to know about the little... child, right? Fine, come with me."