Chapter 142
Chapter 142:
Bella, feeling unjustly hurt, blinked back the tears. “I’m fine. But Yelena p>
Yelena glanced at her, then nonchalantly lifted the tablecloth, exposing the scene underneath for everyone to see. With a sweet, almost too-innocent smile, Yelena feigned regret. “Bella, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to step on your foot, but you had it stretched out pretty far, and I accidentally stepped on it. I hope you’re not too upset with me p>
Bella froze, momentarily stunned. She had planned to lodge a complaint and shift the blame onto Yelena, but Yelena’s seemingly sincere apology had flipped the narrative, leaving Bella cornered and fumbling for a response.
Desperately, Bella cast a cautious glance at Callum and Donna, hoping for some kind of support. Instead, Donna’s expression darkened. Her brows furrowed as she broke the silence, her tone unusually stern. “Bella, why would you stick your foot out toward Yelena? Is this what your etiquette lessons have taught you? After all that effort, have you learned nothing about proper manners p>
Normally calm and composed, Donna rarely raised her voice at her children, let alone reprimanded Bella so directly. But this time, her disappointment was evident. The sheer impropriety of Bella’s actions struck a nerve—such behavior wasn’t just rude; it reflected poorly on the entire family. The Harris family, known for their high standards and polished reputation, prided themselves on decorum.
If anyone outside the family had witnessed Bella’s graceless stunt, whispers of poor upbringing would inevitably follow. The thought alone made Donna’s expression harden.
Bella’s face flushed, and she lowered her gaze, fidgeting with her fingers. “I’m sorry, Mom. It wasn’t intentional—I slipped, and my foot just stretched out. I promise I won’t do it again.” She knew better than to make excuses; the truth was clear to everyone. Bella’s very first etiquette lessons had hammered home the basics of table manners, and she’d failed spectacularly. This wasn’t just a small misstep—it was a glaring breach of conduct. No wonder Donna was furious.
Donna’s eyes remained locked on Bella, her disappointment cutting deeper than her words. “See that it doesn’t happen again. This kind of behavior is utterly unacceptable p>
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Bella lowered her gaze, her voice calm but laced with resignation. “Yes, Mom p>
On the surface, her response was composed, but inside, a storm raged.
Bella had planned to make Yelena stumble, but before she could even pull her foot back, Yelena had swiftly lifted the tablecloth, exposing Bella’s ploy for all to see. Donna’s scolding, delivered in front of everyone, felt like salt rubbed into an open wound.
“Bella, be more careful in the future,” Yelena said, her serene tone laced with veiled superiority. “If we have guests over, this kind of behavior wouldn’t reflect well on us p>
Forcing a tight smile, Bella bit back the sharp retort rising in her throat. “You’re right, Yelena. I’ll be more mindful p>
“Good,” Yelena replied with maddening composure. She returned to her meal, entirely unbothered, peeling shrimp with methodical ease. “The shrimp is especially delicious today,” she remarked, as though the tension in the room didn’t exist.
Bella’s knuckles whitened under the table as her fists clenched tightly. Damn Yelena!