Anathea bit her bottom lip. She didn’t pick up her utensils.
As expected, nothing good ever happened whenever Eleanor was around. But Anthea was baffled–how did Eleanor know she was pregnant in the first place? Surely the “special” feast served today couldn’t be a coincidence.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Eleanor asked in puzzlement. “Don’t tell me that not a single dish I’ve prepared today appeals to your appetite, Anathea.”
Before Anatheaw could answer, Eleanor added with a touch of disappointment, “Although you and Gregory are married, you don’t visit me often enough for me to learn your food preferences. If none of these dishes are to your liking, I’ll have the chef prepare new ones for you, alright?”
No sooner had Eleanor said this than the other relatives of the Sinclair family shot judgmental looks at Anathea.
Anathea didn’t have to meet their gaze to know they were eyeing her with hostility.
After all, Eleanor had all but called Anathea arrogant despite having married into the Sincair family and accused her of refusing to visit Eleanor or eat the food she’d prepared.
The Sinclairs were an old family whose prestige had been established in Castenea generations ago. To some extent, they still upheld a few family traditions passed down by their elders and were particular about one’s conduct in the family.
Some guests began discussing among themselves after hearing Eleanor air her grievances.
“What’s the matter with her? She ought to uphold our family’s traditions now that she’s married to one of us. We don’t expect her to visit her mother–in–law every day, but she could at least drop by on the weekends. Who gave her the right to act so high and mighty?”
“Exactly, and there are over a dozen dishes
The condescending criticism around Anar today. Surely she could eat one of them! Such pickinessisunterkas
nea painted her as an ungrateful, prsnickety daughter–in–law.
She’d seen firsthand how terrifying and vicious such rumors could be. Back when she’d been hospitalized, Eleanor and Natalie had used the same method to convince everyone she was a homewrecker, and she’d been subjected to verbal abuse from those around her.
And now, Eleanor was doing the same thing again–she was manipulating the narrative agains
Anathea didn’t understand why Eleanor was doing this.
thea.
Was it because Eleanor had found out about her pregnancy and planned to use the Sinclair family to pressure her into eating these raw foods? Did Eleanor want her to miscarry?
How absurd!
Anathea’s brows furrowed as she cut a look at Eleanor, whose expression remained the same. She still eyed Anathea with concern and even looked a little appeasing.
But the depths of her gaze were filled with a malice no one else saw
Meanwhile, the Sinclair family’s ostracization of Anathea began to pick up.
“That’s enough!” Unable to help his temper, Theo slammed his utensils on the table and growled at the others, “She doesn’t have to eat the food if she doesn’t want to! Why are you all making a big fuss over this?”
A hush descended upon the room.
Theo glared at Gregory, who’d been silent throughout all that, and frowned in displeasure.
He couldn’t understand why Gregory was so intent on trapping Anthea by his side like a virtual prisoner, only to keep quiet when others mercilessly picked on her.
Chapter 322
+25 BONUS
What the hell was Gregory playing at?
Sensing Theo’s accusatory and questioning gaze, Gregory wordlessly gave a shake of his head. But he looked as if he were waiting for more drama to arise.
Before Theo could grasp the meaning behind Gregory’s silent response, he saw Eleanor freeze across the room. She winced in embarrassment and lowered her head.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think things would turn out like this. Maybe the younger people aren’t attuned to the dishes I prepared. It’s fine if Anathea doesn’t want to eat the food. It’s not as if we get to see each other and gather like this every day, so let’s enjoy our time as a family…”
“Theo! What’s the matter with you, you punk?” Holden’s angry voice rang out after Eleanor’s timid apology.
He pointed at Theo and snapped, “Your aunt had all these ingredients delivered fresh early in the morning and inspected all of it herself! She put in the effort in one way or another, and you’re picking on her and speaking up for an outsider?”
Theo was taken aback by Holden’s outburst. He finally understood why Gregory had shaken his head earlier.
By standing up for Anathea, Theo had not only played right into Eleanor’s hands and given her even more leverage, but he’d also forced her ever–indulgent husband, Holden, to get involved.
