Chapter 176: Chapter 176

"My mommy is daddy’s rightful wife, what’s wrong with that?"

Claire Quinn snorted coldly. How dare such a tiny child talk back to her? She raised her hand to strike Evan Quinn. Seeing the hand growing larger before his eyes, Evan Quinn closed his eyes in fear, shrinking his neck, but the hand didn’t land on him.

Peeking open one eye, he saw Sienna Quinn standing in front of him, her lips pouted, tears brimming as he clutched her skirt, his voice weak and innocent, "Mommy..."

Sienna stood protectively in front of Evan, shielding him behind her, gripping Claire Quinn’s wrist tightly. Her narrowed eyes were filled with anger, and there was no expression on her pretty face.

It was as if a beast was brewing in her eyes, ready to lash out at any moment.

"Sienna, what do you think you’re doing?" Claire Quinn said with false bravado, puffing out her chest to muster courage.

Sienna narrowed her eyes, releasing a cold light: "You want to hit my son? You better ask if I agree first!"

"You... what do you want?" Claire Quinn stammered, shivering. Sienna was just one person, so why did she feel so terrifying?

Amanda Warren watched the stalemate between the two and coughed lightly, pretending to educate Claire Quinn, "Claire, Evan is still your nephew."

"Mom! She was the one who insulted me first." Claire Quinn retorted unwillingly. Just then, the sound of footsteps tapping the floor echoed, causing the trio to look toward the stairs, where Old Mrs. Quinn appeared with the support of servants.

She looked expressionlessly at everyone, finally locking her gaze on Claire Quinn: "Evan is President Lawson’s son!"

"Grand... Grandma!" Seeing Old Mrs. Quinn appear, Claire Quinn was struck dumb with fear. Her pretty face was marked with deep terror; she wasn’t afraid of her parents, only this matriarchal figure in the family.

"Remember what you said and use your brain next time. Now apologize quickly!" Old Mrs. Quinn scolded with a cold snort.

Claire Quinn looked at Old Mrs. Quinn in astonishment. The latter’s withered skin resembled tree bark, and her murky eyes held no expression, causing Claire Quinn to shudder in fright.

She reluctantly said to Sienna, "Sorry!"

"You! Fine." Claire Quinn, full of reluctance, begrudgingly turned her gaze to Evan. Looking at his face, identical to Landon Lawson’s, with a hint of Sienna’s nature.

Her heart was filled with bitterness; Sienna became Landon Lawson’s wife and bore him a son. Now, with a child, her status soared. With Sienna’s return this time, Landon Lawson’s attitude toward her had clearly changed, suggesting he would support her.

All of this could have been Claire’s, but Sienna had snatched it away.

Evan observed the woman’s eyes, the emotions in her pupils constantly changing, examining her expression with curiosity, unable to comprehend why she showed such emotions.

"Sorry!" Claire Quinn said reluctantly to Evan.

Hearing her apology, Old Mrs. Quinn’s lips finally curved, her face abruptly adopting a different demeanor, as she addressed Sienna, "Sienna is back, why didn’t you come to my room first thing?" The elderly woman said slowly.

Amanda Warren had stood up to support her as soon as Old Mrs. Quinn appeared.

"Mom, your health isn’t getting better, so I thought to tell you after dinner."

Old Mrs. Quinn cast a deep gaze at Amanda Warren, who lowered her head, daring not to speak further. Finally, she smiled at Sienna, "We are still a family, sharing the same blood. Make sure to bring the child back often."

Sienna smiled slightly. Old Mrs. Quinn appeared kind and gentle, most likely due to the last family banquet, where Landon Lawson promised to support her.

Without that conversation, Sienna might have thought Old Mrs. Quinn was sincere.

Everything she did was merely to uphold the family front. But without genuine family warmth, what use did a façade have?

Old Mrs. Quinn sat on the sofa, beckoning Evan, "Chloe, come here!"

Evan dutifully sat beside her, his already pink little face exuding joy.

Old Mrs. Quinn looked at the small child in her arms, with his tender little face and clear eyes, and her heart trembled. Even though she had witnessed many human emotions, Old Mrs. Quinn found herself entranced by these eyes.

"Truly a pair of beautiful, clear eyes."

Old Mrs. Quinn’s lips curved, her eyes filled with unstoppable joy. This update is available on novelFirｅ.net

"Hello, great-grandmother." Evan said in his innocent voice, extending his chubby little hands and planting a gentle kiss on the elder’s face, grinning widely, showing a row of tiny white teeth gleaming in the light.

That tender kiss made Old Mrs. Quinn’s body freeze for a moment, a numb sensation enveloping where she was kissed, her eyes flickering with emotion.

Evan wrapped his arms around Old Mrs. Quinn’s neck, pressing his round little face against her chest.

"Good, good, such a good child." Old Mrs. Quinn’s eyes dampened slightly, gently patting Evan’s back.

Old Mrs. Quinn seemed to be in a very good mood today. After Tom Quinn returned, they had a meal together. Unusually, Old Mrs. Quinn allowed Evan to sit beside her.

Tom Quinn watched Old Mrs. Quinn doting on Evan, his brows furrowing slightly, whispering to Amanda Warren, "What’s going on?"

"I’m not sure either." Amanda Warren’s expression wasn’t good either.

Even after living with Old Mrs. Quinn for five years, she was typically aloof, merely tolerating Claire Quinn. It was the first time she had shown so much affection for a child.

Claire Quinn glared at Sienna in anger, biting the chopsticks, the sound of her teeth scraping the chopsticks unusually clear, even Sienna, sitting opposite her, could hear it distinctly.

Sienna looked up, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Sienna, tomorrow is your birthday banquet, and many prestigious families will attend. You should temper your bad temper so as not to embarrass our Quinn Family." Tom Quinn broke the silence at the table, adopting the demeanor of an elder lecturing.

Sienna put down her chopsticks and picked up a napkin to wipe the oil from the corners of her mouth, nodding in agreement: "Second uncle is right, I should be mindful. However, I’m afraid this advice is not for me."

As the words fell, she turned her gaze to Claire Quinn, whose face immediately darkened, shouting angrily, "Who are you insinuating?"

Sienna said no more, as even within the family, Claire Quinn couldn’t manage her emotions, let alone tomorrow.

Evan’s eyes shifted subtly, noticing the faint displeasure that flashed across Old Mrs. Quinn’s brow, an expression he keenly caught.

"Great-grandmother, I’m really scared. This aunty is so scary."