"Hmm? What's up?" he replied nonchalantly, feigning ignorance.
"She's taken a liking to you."
"Really?"
Clara Sutton looked up and saw he was doing it deliberately, tightened her grip on his tie, causing Sebastian Astor to feel a bit suffocated. He raised his hand to hold her hand: "Is Mrs. Astor trying to murder her husband?"
"Don't worry, I won't let myself be widowed at a young age. After all, we've just married, and I wouldn't want to be labeled as a husband-killer; it would tarnish my reputation." Clara's red lips slightly curled, her clear voice carrying a hint of allure.
Halfway across the room, Alexia Sutton turned back and saw the intimate eye contact and gestures between the couple, which stirred a jealousy and resentment within her.
The dining room.
Ian Sutton exchanged simple pleasantries, while Alexia specially got up to place a piece of fish on Sebastian's plate.
"Mr. William Yong, try this tilapia. Our family cook makes it differently than what's sold outside, it's fresher and tastier." Alexia proudly smiled as she introduced it and shyly lowered her eyes when she caught Sebastian's gaze.
Suddenly, the dining table went silent, with Clara, Ian, and Bess's eyes all falling on the piece of fish on Sebastian's plate.
Clara pressed her lips together, set down her chopsticks, and swapped her plate with the one holding the fish with his. Across from her, Alexia's sharp questioning voice rang out.
"Clara Sutton, what are you doing?"
"I'm the one who should ask what you mean by this? Is it appropriate to serve food to your brother-in-law right in front of me?" Clara swept a cold glance over, her tone carrying undeniable coldness and questioning.
"It's just serving some food, why be so petty? I just wanted Mr. William Yong…"
"Call him brother-in-law."
"Clara Sutton, are you out of your mind?"
Alexia couldn't stand any grievance, let alone being suppressed by Clara. Hearing the commanding tone, she suddenly stood up, erupting in anger.
Sebastian frowned unhappily, a gloomy shadow darkening his eyes, his voice icy: "It seems the Sutton Family's manners are biased, vary from person to person. I've learned my lesson."
Seeing Sebastian's displeased expression, Ian was also embarrassed by Alexia's actions, angrily slapping the table: "Shut up, is this how you speak to your sister? No manners at all."
"Dad, she was the one making a big fuss. I just..."
"Enough, say less." Bess also spoke sternly, trying hard to gesture to calm her down.
But Alexia only saw their bias towards Clara, unable to understand the deeper intent behind their actions.
"Mom, why are you speaking for her too?" Alexia asked tearfully, looking at Bess.
"Keep quiet; it's your brother-in-law's first day at our house, and you've embarrassed them. Luckily they're not strangers. I think you've been spoiled; go to your room and reflect." Ian, in fierce anger, stared directly at her, his tone firm and commanding.
Alexia stomped her foot angrily, glanced at the man with a cold and harsh expression, and ran upstairs.
"Sorry for the spectacle, truly embarrassing; this child has always been spoiled and unruly." Ian reigned in his anger, giving a friendly smile to Sebastian.
"Serving food is a small matter, but if word spreads, it won't sound good. Father-in-law should be aware of the implications." Sebastian nodded slightly, sipping the water beside him.
"Of course, I understand. The young girl is naive; don't take it to heart."
"Whether I've taken it to heart doesn't matter. Let's not forget she's the younger sister; her attitude towards her own sister speaks volumes. And as for her yelling at my wife in my presence, if not for your sake, it wouldn't be as simple as just reflecting in her room."
As these words fell, the atmosphere in the dining room instantly solidified, creating a strong sense of pressure, making Ian and Bess break into a cold sweat under his cold, penetrating gaze.
Clara angled her head to look at his indifferent profile, feeling like she could perceive his rumored persona at this moment.
Cold, violent-tempered, indifferent yet proud.
These characteristics seemed to gradually take shape.
Just like at yesterday's banquet, there was a sense of being protected by him, very subtle and quite heartwarming.
This altercation also changed the dynamic between Ian and Sebastian, Ian's attempt to curry favor with Sebastian became more apparent, especially in discussions about work, knowing Sebastian seemed to value Clara, occasionally bringing her up and praising her.
Listening to this made Clara very uncomfortable, prompting her to suggest taking a walk in the backyard.
The Sutton Family's backyard is relatively spacious, with a small flower garden well-maintained, with roses blooming beautifully.
Having lived in the Sutton Family for more than a decade, Clara was familiar with every inch of the land, taking a simple stroll, soon losing interest, especially as the afternoon sun grew hotter, causing her to return indoors.
However, she ran into Alexia coming down the stairs from the backyard.
"Shouldn't you be in your room reflecting, little sister? How come..."
Before Clara's cold, teasing words fell, Alexia suddenly charged at her with a face twisted in rage, swinging her hands wildly. Clara instinctively dodged her frenzied attack.
During the tussle, a sharp pain shot through Clara's neck, the necklace around her neck suddenly broke and fell to the ground. Clara instinctively pushed her away to pick up the necklace when Alexia, seemingly possessed by a strange force, pushed her hard, causing Clara to stumble backward without touching the necklace, crashing against the wall.
"Ow..."
The intense pain in her back caused Clara to moan uncontrollably.
Above her, Alexia's domineering curses rained down: "Clara Sutton, you bitch, it's all your fault that I've been scolded by my parents..."
Before she could finish her words, Alexia felt her shoulder grabbed by a strong hand with enough force to shatter it. Before she could see who it was, she was dragged back by the strength and fell heavily at the foot of the stairs.
"Ah..."
Having been pampered since childhood, Alexia could not endure such pain, crying out as she fell. Seeing the upright figure crouched in front of Clara caused all her anger to vanish, replaced by terror and panic.
Her sense of reasoning returned at that moment.
"How are you? Where are you hurt?" Sebastian cradled her shoulder, his eyes calm as a pool of stagnant water, his face covered in shadows, voice filled with concern.
Clara shook her head, staring at the necklace not far away.
Sebastian frowned, turning his head to follow her gaze, seeing the broken necklace, his eyes darkened again, filled with a trace of sinister anger.
Ian and Bess arrived shortly after hearing an unusual commotion.
Seeing this scene, they were both a bit dumbstruck.
"What's going on? What happened here? Alexia, didn't your father ask you to reflect in your room?" Bess, seeing her daughter on the ground, suppressed the urge to rush over, sternly questioned.