Chapter 14 False Apology
“You are Joanna’s brother, not mine.” Renee looked down at Klein’s hand and softly said, “You hurt me.”
Klein instinctually loosened his grip upon hearing this and then became even more furious. “I’m not your brother? You’ve married into the Duran family. So, you think you have a strong backer, and you don’t even want me as your brother anymore, right?”
Klein knew that what he said was hurtful. After all, marrying into the Duran family was not a good thing. But he was truly angered by Renee’s casual words, so he blurted out without thinking, “Are you planning to sever ties with the Fletcher family?”
Joanna sensed that something was wrong. Although Klein had a bad temper, he always restrained himself in front of outsiders and never acted like this. Joanna quickly bent down and pulled Klein. “Klein, there are many guests here!”
Klein’s face turned cold as he let go of Renee and coldly said. “When we came. Ms. Shulman even said you were pitiful. But I can’t see anything pitiful about you.”
Klein’s attitude was mean, even bordering on cruel towards Renee, but Joanna felt uneasy inside.
If Klein truly saw Renee as an insignificant person, why would he get angry about Renee not accepting him as her brother?
Klein’s anger meant he cared about Renee.
Joanna said gently, “Renee, don’t bother with Klein. He has always been like this.”
Chapter 14 Fatse Apology
Renee softly murmured in agreement and rubbed her arm where Klein had gripped her. His grip had been too hard, and her arm still hurt.
Joanna continued softly, “Yesterday, Dad and our brothers attended my graduation ceremony. I didn’t know you had come back yesterday… I’m really sorry. If I had known, I would have postponed the ceremony. After all, your return is a big deal. I shouldn’t have…”
Joanna’s words were appropriate, but they revealed a message to everyone present. After being brought back from the countryside, Renee did not receive any attention from the Fletcher family. In the eyes of the Fletcher family, Renee’s marriage to the Duran family was not even as important as Joanna’s graduation ceremony.
It was evident that Joanna and Renee were treated differently by their family.
“It’s alright,” Renee said as she looked at Tristan’s portrait. “The graduation ceremony is also important.”
Joanna was taken aback. She didn’t understand why Renee didn’t make a fuss even when she was being treated like this.
If Renee didn’t protest, how should the rest of the play proceed?
Joanna disliked Renee, even though this was their first meeting.
Joanna deeply feared Renee, afraid that Renee would take away everything she currently possessed, such as her father, stepmother, brothers, and her noble status as the daughter of the Fletcher family.
If it weren’t for the engagement with Tristan, Joanna wouldn’t have agreed to the Fletcher family bringing Renee back. Four years ago, when her father had this idea, Joanna tried to kill herself by taking sleeping pills. If Renee posed the slightest threat to her position now…
Joanna wouldn’t hesitate to kill Renee.
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Joanna thought Renee shouldn’t blame her for being ruthless. Joanna just happened to be born in the wrong place. She had been a rich young lady for nineteen years. How could she possibly go back to that backward, ignorant, and impoverished Pence Town, where people preferred boys to girls?
Joanna would never give up everything she currently possessed.
“I’m really sorry” Joanna looked at Renee’s profile and said again, “I apologize to you, but I hope you won’t blame Dad and our brothers. It’s all my fault. They care about you. After all…”
Joanna smiled bitterly, “After all, you are the true daughter of the Fletcher family.”
