th of the Dismembered Heiress
Chapter 20 Defiance in the Dining Hall
So, her hatred for her eldest son only grew.
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After their marriage, Penny and Wyatt had lived quietly, never fighting for more. But Thomas and Charles‘ families were calculating and ruthless. Together, they forced Wyatt’s branch out of the family.
When Wyatt’s accident left him paralyzed, Barbara’s disdain only deepened, and she pushed them away completely. Penny, from the very beginning, had never been seen as an equal. Helping the servants with chores had become her habit.
“It’s all my fault your father was cast out. If not for me, maybe he wouldn’t have been driven away, and you wouldn’t have suffered all these years!” Penny said, her eyes filling with guilt.
Evelyn hadn’t expected her parents‘ past to be so bitter. “Mom, it’s fine. No one blames you. With me here, no one will ever dare bully you again.”
Penny broke down in tears and hugged her daughter tightly.
By noon, it was time to eat. Evelyn was about to say her goodbyes when Barbara spoke. “Evelyn, sit down and join us. This is our first meeting after all.”
Evelyn looked to her mother, who gave a small nod. So, she held Penny’s hand and prepared to
sit.
“Wait. Your mother can’t sit at the table–you didn’t know that?” Jade’s sharp voice cut across the
room.
“What do you mean by that?” Evelyn demanded.
Penny lowered her head, her voice timid. “Evie, you sit and eat. I’ll just stand.”
As it turned out, Penny had always been treated as less by the Gullivers. Despite being Wyatt’s wife, she was never acknowledged. At meals, there had never been a place for her. She had always eaten standing to the side, with the servants.
“Your mother’s status is too low. She doesn’t have the right. You’re of Gulliver blood, so you can sit here, but she can’t. Don’t make it more difficult than it is,” Scarlett sneered.
Evelyn slammed her cutlery against the table. The loud crack startled everyone, the dishes rattling, some food spilling over the edge.
“So, this is what it’s come to–ranking people like this? If that’s how it is, then I won’t eat either.
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Chapter 20 Defiance in the Dining Hall
Mom, let’s go!”
What a pack of shallow, small–minded fools.
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“Oh my, look at her attitude, Mother! She scared the wits out of me!” Scarlett quickly tattled to
Barbara.
“Stop right there!” Barbara’s voice rang out.
Evelyn turned, her eyes icy as they locked on the old matriarch. “What?”
“Think you came from an elite family like the Cirruses. No manners, no respect. Surrounded by your elders, and this is how you act? Is this the kind of upbringing the Cirrus family gave you?”
“Whatever upbringing I had in the Cirrus family is none of your concern,” Evelyn shot back without hesitation. “The fact is, I never ate a single meal here, and you never raised me for a single day. So, what right do you have to lecture me?”
“You… You…” Barbara was trembling with fury.
All her life, her children and grandchildren had bowed to her, treating her like royalty. No one had dared speak against her. And now this girl had the audacity to defy her!
“Mother, please–Evie just returned to the family. She’s still young and doesn’t understand. Don’t hold it against her!” Penny was terrified. She had witnessed Barbara’s cruelty before. Anyone who opposed her was punished severely. Wyatt himself had once nearly been broken for defying her.
“Yes, she’s young and ignorant. But you, Penny Caldwell, should know better. If I don’t punish her, I’ll punish you. Kneel here for two hours before you leave!” Barbara snapped.
Penny immediately lowered her head, ready to kneel. But before her knees could touch the ground, Evelyn grabbed her and yanked her up. “Don’t kneel. You’ve done nothing wrong. Neither of us has. Why should you kneel?”
“How dare you! Do you think you’re still some Cirrus heiress? Acting so arrogantly! This is the Gulliver family. You will not be allowed to run wild here. As elders, we have every right to discipline you!” Thomas barked.
Evelyn’s eyes were cold, sharp as blades as they cut into him. “Discipline? And who are you to do that?”
Somehow, when Thomas met her gaze, a chill of fear ran through him.
“Penny, are you really going to let your daughter rebel against her elders?” Barbara roared, slamming her cane against the floor.
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Chapter 20 Defiance in the Dining Hall
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Penny shrank back, glancing nervously at Evelyn, who squeezed her hand tightly. “Mom, don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Looking into her daughter’s eyes, Penny felt a surge of courage, reassured even. “I’ll listen to my daughter,” she declared.
“Very well! You’ve all grown bold, daring to defy me! Guards!” Barbara bellowed, and several men in black rushed out from inside the mansion.
“Take them both. Tonight, I’ll see them punished by family law!” Barbara commanded, her voice ringing through the hall.
Send Gifts
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