Suddenly, the Sinclair family’s attack on Anathea sharpened even more, and this time, Theo was caught in the crossfire.
“Why is Mr. Harrington standing up to his aunt over an outsider?
“How odd! I’ve only ever heard of mothers–in–law needling their daughters–in–law, but I see that times have changed. Nephews are now joining hands with daughters–in–law to go against mothers–in–law!”
“I wonder if there’s something more going on between them. How else can you explain such insolence?”
“Goodness, don’t speculate like that in front of all these elders! It’s an insult to the family’s reputation!”
“Y–You’re all-” Theo blanched at first, then flushed angrily. He never expected he would become collateral damage and get slandered just for defending Anathea!
Anathea’s fingers curled as she listened to the guests‘ vicious implications.
If Natalie were a scorpion, then Eleanor was a venomous snake.
Natalie’s sting hurt only for a moment, but at least it was temporary. Eleanor, on the other hand, didn’t show her fangs. Instead, she preferred to wind herself around her victims until they couldn’t shake her off or escape her clutches.
As things were, Anathea and Theo were in Eleanor’s vise–like clutches.
Anathea had seen how cruel and savage Eleanor could be, she could remain composed. But Theo was different.
“Aunt Eleanor, why can’t you cut Anathea some slack?” Theo asked, giving Eleanor an aggrieved look. “It’s not like she did anything wrong anyway. Why are you picking on her?”
“I’m not!” Eleanor shook her head innocently. “But I do find it strange that you’re overreacting like this, Theo. It’s almost as if you and Anathea are…”
With just a few simple sentences, Eleanor had turned the narrative against Theo. She dealt the killing blow with a vague conjecture at the end, leaving others to wonder about the relationship between him and Anathea.
“So, it seems something more is going on between those two.”
late’s daughter anyway?
“I heard about Ms. Jacobson’s dubious background a while ago. What else can we expect from She married the heir of the Sinclair family, only to have illicit relations with her cousin–in–law. Can you imagine such
indiscretion?”
“How unfortunate for the Sinclair family to end up with a daughter–in–law like her!”
Lennox’s face clouded. Whatever good impression he’d had of Anathea was ruined after he witnessed the farce that had started
because of her.
He snapped, “Quiet, all of you! Are you truly going to turn my family luncheon into an unruly debate because of a jinx and cause a ruckus?”
At once, everyone fell silent.
A jinx.
The word struck Anathea hard, and an odd look gleamed in her eyes.
Perhaps this was Eleanor’s goal all along. She knew Gregory would introduce Anathea to Lennox today to gain his blessing, so she’d pulled this stunt to ostracize Anathea and turn her into a so–called jinx.
At this rate, Lennox might not think highly enough of Anathea to allow her a place in the family.
Not that it was a shame for Anathea. After all, she couldn’t care less about being part of the Sinclair family.
Chapter 323
+25 BONUS
Still, she was a little upset that she had to take such verbal abuse from these people. It made her uneasy, but she had no reason to draw even more trouble to herself.
Letting out a breath, Anathea stared at the treacherous dishes before her and set her utensils down. She rose to leave, but the next second, Gregory’s large, strong hand gripped her wrist and pulled her back into the seat beside him.
“I believe I ought to correct some of you.” Gregory’s cool, crisp voice rang out as he slid an arm around Anathea’s waist. He cut Holden a withering look, his tone unyielding. “She’s not an outsider.”
Holden’s face darkened.
Gregory then glanced at Theo. “Nor does she have anything to do with him.”
Theo went still.
“And she most certainly is not a jinx.” Gregory looked at Lennox squarely in the eyes and added emphatically, “She’s my wife.”
Lennox narrowed his eyes.
Finally, Gregory threw a look at Eleanor and demanded calmly, albeit stonily, “What’s wrong if my wife doesn’t like any of these dishes?”
