Chapter 70
Chapter 70 A Clash of Tempers
Holden walked out of the doorway and stopped right in front of Zora, his face dark with displeasure.
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He inwardly fumed-was she some kind of mood-shifting chameleon? She changed her entire demeanor the moment she saw them.
Zora fell silent.
Her face held no trace of emotion.
A faint, irksome restlessness stirred in her heart.
So exasperating.
She had no wish to converse with someone so ill-mannered.
“Zora, do you hate us that much? Answer me p>
Irritation flared in Holden at her silence. He reached out and clamped his hand around hers, his anger making his grip far too tight.
Why wouldn’t she even spare him a single word?
Zora winced sharply at the painful squeeze.
“Holden! You’re hurting Zora-let go right now p>
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Reed was caught off guard by Holden’s sudden outburst. He snapped out of his shock and spoke up at once.
Holden froze for a moment, staring at Zora’s impassive face. He loosened his hold almost instinctively.
Zora let her hand fall to her side; bright, livid finger marks bloomed instantly against her skin.
Zora had delicate skin, and blinded by anger, Holden had lost control of his strength. The harsh grip left glaring red streaks across her porcelain complexion.
“I…” Holden stared at the marks on her hand, at a loss for words.
He hadn’t realized her skin was so sensitive-one rough squeeze and it was already bruised red.
He’d only been overcome with impatience just now.
“Zora… I didn’t mean to hurt you p>
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Chapter 70 A Clash of Tempers
He tried to apologize, lifting his gaze to meet hers, ready to explain himself.
But all he was met with was a cold, distant stare. The apology died stuck in his throat.
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Zora only glanced at him indifferently before looking away, as if he were barely worth her notice.
A heavy, suffocating feeling settled over Holden’s chest, his lips pressing into a tight, rigid line.
“Zora, does your hand hurt? Paul! Go fetch a doctor quickly p>
Reed gently cupped Zora’s hand, his heart aching at the sight of the five vivid red fingerprints.
“I’m fine, Reed,” Zora spoke softly, seeing how flustered he was.
“We’re still getting it checked out no matter what.” Reed refused to let it go.
“What’s the commotion? I thought you were just checking if she was home. What are you all doing p>
Inside the living room, Ruth heard the noise and walked out, her brow furrowed as she took in
the scene.
“Holden, look at her hand. Couldn’t you have talked this through calmly p>
Opal’s eyes lingered on the bruise already darkening to a faint blue on Zora’s skin, her heart twisting with sympathy.
Zora’s skin was incredibly delicate, and Holden’s impulsive, rough grab had left ugly bruising in its wake.
Reed knelt on the floor, holding a tube of white ointment. He dabbed it gently over the marks, blowing soft puffs of air to soothe the pain.
Holden stood to the side, his expression grim and guilty.
“Grandma… I truly didn’t mean it.” Holden bowed his head and took her scolding quietly.
“Intentions don’t change the fact that you hurt her,” Opal said sharply, clearly displeased.
The boy had been here a while already. She’d thought he’d come to patch things up with Zora and mend their sibling bond-instead, he’d gotten her hurt.
Holden had no words to argue back.
He stood aside, watching as the whole Marlow family fussed over Zora with gentle care.
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Chapter 70 A Clash of Tempers.
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“Be gentle with that ointment-if you make her hurt worse, you’ll answer to me,” Opal cautioned Reed firmly.
“I know, Grandma p>
Paul stood nearby, gazing at Zora with obvious concern in his eyes.
“Zora, have a strawberry. It’ll take your mind off the pain p>
Paul held out a plate of plump, red strawberries, trying to cheer her up and distract her from the soreness.
It seemed everyone doted on Zora dearly.
All the staff at the Marlow Manor, even Mae and the other helpers at the Knox Villa, always smiled fondly whenever they spoke of her.
Yet it was his own family who never seemed to appreciate Zora-they were the ones who’d always let her suffer unfair hurt.
The thought struck Holden hard in the chest.
He couldn’t understand how things had fallen apart like this.
They were supposed to be her real family, yet they’d never shown her an ounce of warmth. Strangers treated her like a precious treasure, while her own kin pushed her away.
“I’m not the one you need to apologize to,” Opal huffed coldly.
“I’m sorry… Zora p>
Holden fell silent for a beat, then looked straight at Zora, his voice rough and low.
Still, Zora paid his apology no mind.
“I’m alright, Reed. It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Zora lowered her eyes and spoke only to Reed.
A dull sadness washed over Holden’s face, a bitter ache settling in his heart.
It had been so long since she’d spoken to him.
“When are you heading back?” Opal didn’t miss his dejected look, her tone still frosty.
“It’s been ages since I had dinner here, and I haven’t gotten to spend time with you either. I was hoping I could stay the night,” Holden replied.
Zora’s eyelashes fluttered at his words, her soft pink lips pressing tightly together.
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Chapter 70 A Clash of Tempers
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She had no wish to stay in Holden’s company, yet this was not her home-she had no right to make the call.
Opal glanced between Zora and Holden, who kept stealing quiet glances at her, and sighed inwardly.
Holden ended up staying the night at the Marlow Manor.
Once Zora had finished putting on the ointment, she headed straight upstairs to her room.
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The Real Heiress s New Family Adored by All