Jonathan stood outside the door, waiting for Estelle to join him for breakfast downstairs. Catherine rose to greet them as they descended the stairs, her eyes soft upon Estelle. “Did you sleep well last night?” “Yes!” Estelle nodded, adding with a sheepish smile, “Just got up a bit late!” “You're not late at all. It's still early for lunch!” Norah chimed in with a playful tone. Estelle shrugged and chuckled in response. “Well, if lunch is a while away, let's have breakfast first!” Catherine led Estelle toward the dining room, where the warmed breakfast was served by the house staff. “I don’t eat much in the morning. | can join Estelle for a bit more,” Norah followed suit.
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Henson joined in the fun. “Today's hash browns are especially delicious; | think I'll have a second helping!” As a result, the family, who had already eaten, found themselves sitting down for another meal with Estelle. After breakfast, Catherine mentioned, “The Macclains have cover, Estelle. Do you want to see them? If not, I'll have them turned away.” Estelle looked up. “Where are they?” “In the yard!” Norah snorted disdainfully. Bennett was at the hospital with Simone, while Terrence had brought the Corleys to the Lamonts’ first thing in the morning. The Lamonts hadn't shown themselves, and Terrence, stubborn as ever, was waiting in the yard, insisting on seeing Estelle. Catherine had, of course, not informed Estelle. “Just turn them away!” Jonathan stated indifferently. Estelle had no objections; she could almost predict the plea from Terrence, representing the Macclains, asking for her forgiveness. There was no need for an encounter. Fabian instructed the staff to convey the message. Perhaps stung by Estelle’s resolute attitude, Terrence didn’t leave. Instead, he burst in, was stopped by the staff at the door, and began shouting toward the living room. “Estelle, it’s your grandfather!” Terrence was of an age to be enjoying his twilight years, yet he found himself watching the Macclain legacy crumble. Overnight, he seemed to have aged considerably. Coupled with the freezing weather and his snow- covered frame, he looked quite pitiable. Corley rushed to Terrence’s side, pleading loudly, “Estelle, we all realize our mistakes. Grandpa has cto beg you. Please, show mercy and leave the Macclains sway out!” Natalia cried out, “Your mother had a heart attack from all the stress last night. We spent hours reviving her, and she’s still in the hospital!” “You're a Macclain by blood. Surely, you can’t stand by and watch your own family fall to ruin!” Estelle turned to face the trio, her gaze cool and clear. “When you and the Crawleys were framing me, did you consider leavinga way out?” “Simone fell ill because of me?” Natalia’s eyes flickered as she stammered, “I know we Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated fg Al Books Updates...
were wrong first, but Estelle, you can’t say it has nothing to do with you. If the Crawleys hadn't wanted revenge on you, they wouldn't have cto us, right?” Norah's face paled with anger. “The Crawleys approached you, and you betrayed Estelle? I've never heard greed and malice justified so self-righteously. No wonder the Macclains are in this state!” Jonathan, holding Estelle’s hand, spoke coldly, “I thought I'd leave you sleeway for Ella’s sake, but now | see there's no need.” The Macclains’ expressions shifted. Terrence, furious, slapped Natalia across the face and bellowed, “Get out! Even now, you dare to blEstelle. Don’t you realize what you've done? For Sabina’s sake, you've gone too far!” Natalia’s face turned a bruised shade of disbelief as she stared at Terrence. She hated Estelle, yes, but the plot to frEstelle wasnot her own doing! Wasn't it Terrence who had agreed with Cliff, and then persuaded them? And now he was pinning all the blon her? “Dad, you —" Natalia began through clenched teeth. “Shut up!” Terrence roared. “Say one more word, and you're out of the Macclains!”
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