Chapter 77
Chapter 77:
Although Donna was inwardly fuming over Katelyn’s remarks, she kept her composure intact, remaining steadfast in the etiquette and poise that had been second nature to her for years.
Yelena offered a polite nod. “Aunt Katelyn p>
Katelyn blinked, caught completely off guard. “You’re… Yelena?” The girl standing before her was nothing like she’d imagined. Expecting a brash, sun-tanned youngster in garish clothing and probably with numerous piercings, Katelyn instead found herself facing a poised, elegant young woman. Yelena’s smooth skin, refined features, and calm demeanor hinted at a polished upbringing—certainly not what Katelyn had expected from someone raised by new money.
Even more striking was the resemblance Yelena bore to Donna, leaving no room for doubt about her lineage.
Yelena met her gaze with a serene expression, offering only a slight nod in response.
“You’re quite lovely,” Katelyn remarked, struggling to shake her earlier assumptions. Her voice was low, her smile forced, as she added, “It’s good to have you back p>
Inside, Katelyn was praying Yelena hadn’t overheard any of her earlier remarks.
At that moment, the sound of two lilting voices drifted down from the staircase.
Bella and Bernice had finally emerged, their lively chatter trailing after them like a forgotten melody.
Having spent a good while catching up upstairs, the pair stepped into the room.
But as Bernice’s gaze landed on Yelena, her brow knitted ever so slightly, a flicker of disdain clouding her expression. “So, you’re Yelena. The one who’s just been embraced by the Harris family p>
Yelena met Bernice’s probing stare with an unruffled calm. “That’s correct,” she replied, her voice as smooth as silk. “Why? Is there a problem p>
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“I heard you’ve got a bit of a reputation for stirring the pot. Just don’t go tarnishing the Harris family’s name, alright?” Bernice tilted her chin, her words dripping with condescension. The air in the room seemed to shift. Bella, feeling the tension thick as fog, glanced nervously between the two.
She wondered if Bernice had any sense at all—repeating private gossip in front of everyone was like holding up a neon sign pointing back at herself.
Donna’s face darkened as she cut through the awkward silence. “Bernice, what nonsense are you blabbering about? Who are you calling a troublemaker p>
Bernice froze, visibly startled. She shrank into herself, her bravado evaporating in an instant.
Donna, typically as gentle as a summer breeze, now spoke with a firmness that was downright chilling.
Bernice hadn’t expected this fiery side and was shaken to her core.
Katelyn, sensing the growing unease, jumped in with a placating smile. “Oh, Donna, let’s not get carried away. Bernice is still young and a little too blunt for her own good. She was only looking out for the Harris family, hoping Yelena won’t make any missteps that could bring them trouble p>
Katelyn’s words hung in the air. Yelena responded with a cold, cutting laugh, the sound slicing through the tension. “Blunt, you say? Or was it reckless ignorance? Do you always speak with such confidence about things you know nothing about p>
A ripple of unease passed through the group, but Bella, ever the smooth diplomat, stepped forward, her voice strained but soft. “Yelena, Bernice didn’t mean anything by it. She was just… talking. No harm intended p>
“No harm intended? Tell me, Bella—since when does spreading personal insults fall under harmless conversation? I’m intrigued. Do enlighten me.” She took a deliberate step closer, her gaze sweeping over the room before settling back on Bella. “And I’m especially curious… where exactly did Bernice get her information? Who, might I ask, decided I’m a troublemaker p>