Chapter 276

"Mother, really," Seraphina drawled, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Must you be so cruel? She can't speak."

Gwendolyn's perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched in mock surprise. Leaning forward, she deliberately projected her whisper across the grand hall. "A mute? Why on earth would they bring home a mute?"

"Shut your damn mouth!"

"Silence, woman!"

Alistair and Frederick roared simultaneously, their voices echoing off the marble walls.

Frederick shot his wife a venomous glare, roughly grabbing her elbow and dragging her aside. Gwendolyn stumbled in her designer heels, barely catching herself. "Have you gone mad?" she hissed, smoothing her chignon. "What's gotten into you? I'm merely stating facts! I knew your sister, and she was perfectly healthy. So how did she produce a mute child? Something's not right here, and I demand answers."

Olivia's initial tension eased slightly. She couldn't fault Gwendolyn for her suspicions. She'd never truly believed herself part of this illustrious family anyway. As long as they didn't actively harm her, their doubts meant nothing.

Julian, mortified by his mother's outburst, pulled her aside for a heated exchange.

Returning to Olivia, Julian offered a contrite smile. "My deepest apologies, Olivia," he said earnestly. "My mother has always lacked tact, much like my sister. Please don't take her words to heart. I've given her a proper dressing-down, and I assure you it won't happen again."

His sincerity seemed genuine.

Hearing this, Alistair's stern expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "Consider Olivia's position. How would you feel being subjected to such cruelty?"

Julian nodded hastily. "Understood."

Olivia responded through her interpreter using sign language, her gestures graceful yet firm. "I'm accustomed to such comments. As long as our interactions remain limited moving forward, it's of no consequence."

Seraphina couldn't contain her derisive snort. "Father, Mother, Julian, don't look so shocked. Living with the Blackwoods has clearly given her airs." Her voice turned bitter. "Though with Donovan and Alistair's backing, who would dare cross her?"

Frederick, weary of the drama, cut in sharply. "Enough!"

Seraphina turned away in frustration when her father refused to take her side.

Gwendolyn seethed, her contempt palpable. "Look at her! Acting as though we're the ones begging for her attention. Life must have been hard on the streets, yet she carries herself like royalty. What exactly does she have to be proud of?"

Sensing the escalating tension, Alistair placed a protective hand on Olivia's shoulder. "Come," he said gently, guiding her away from the toxic atmosphere.

Left in the suddenly empty hall, Frederick, Gwendolyn, Seraphina and Julian stood amidst the lingering tension.

Frederick was the first to break the silence, attempting reason. "Why must you be so cruel to someone who can't even defend herself? Can't you see how much my father adores her?"