Chapter 16 You Have to Listen The dining room fell silent in an instant , the atmosphere turning ice cold .
It was like someone had hit the pause button no .
one moved .
David frowned slightly but said nothing .
Alice looked uncomfortable , her mind racing for a way to break the awkward tension .
Only Elliot reacted .
He slammed his knife and fork onto the table with a loud bang , startling the servants .
What the hell is going on ? One of the maids flinched , lowering her head as she stammered , Mr.
Elliot , weve always prepared meals for four people , Her explanation sounded weak , doing nothing to calm Elliot .
Instead , it only made him angrier .
Seriously ? Are you blind ? You saw Lauren come home , didnt you ? Or did you just choose to ignore her deliberately ! Mr.
Elliot , L.
The maid tried to explain .
But Elliot cut her off impatiently .
Youre fired .
The maids face turned pale with panic .
She turned to Willow for help , but Willow kept her head down , lost in thought David cleared his throat .
Marilyn , go make another serving Yes , Mr.
Elliot ! Marilyns face lit up with relief as she hurried into the kitchen .
Willows eyes flickered .
In the next moment , she put on a concerned expression and pushed her own plate toward Lauren .
Lauren didnt look at her or say a word , but she also didnt reject the gesture .
She was genuinely hungry , so she picked up her utensils and started eating Her pace was steady , completely unfazed by the tension and conflict around her , as if none of it had anything to do with her .
Willow watched her expectantly , waiting for her to say something .
But after a long while , Lauren didnt even spare her a glance .
Willows anticipation slowly turned into disappointment , like shed just been brushed aside .
David tapped his fingers against the table to get Laurens attention , but she continued eating as if she hadnt heard him .
He coughed loudly .
Lauren remained unfazed .
Alice couldnt stand it any longer .
With a hint of disappointment in her tone , she said , Laurie , look at how much Willow .
cares about you .
Shouldnt you at least thank her ? So this is what all the fuss was about? Seriously ? Cant I even have breakfast in peace ? What was this ? Some kind of obedience test ! She had spent three years playing by their rules , and it still wasnt enough .
If she kept bending to their will now , shed be nothing but a fool who never learned her lesson .
Lauren set down her utensils and swept her gaze around the table .
Thank her ? For what stealing my life ? Turning you all against me and framing me ? Or maybe for the five years I spent rotting in prison because of her ? I take one bite of her food , and suddenly , Im supposed to be grateful ? Then what about the three years I spent in this house ? I never even got a proper breakfast or lunch .
Every night , I came home to nothing but leftovers while enduring your insults , and somehow , I was still expected to smile and take it .
If anything , shouldnt your whole family be apologizing to me first ? They expected her to do something theyd never do themselves .
Classic hypocrisy .
Alice let out a disappointed sigh .
Thats all in the past .
Why cant you just let it go ? Lauren let out a sharp laugh .
Let it go ? You werent the one who suffered .
You dont get to decide when its over .
2.40 PM m d Chapter 16 You Have to Listen Davids patience finally snapped .
His rage exploded .
Finished Because Im your father , and youll do as youre told ! Listen Lauren , dont think that just because youre back , you can act however you want .
This family doesnt need you .
Whether you stay or leave makes no difference to us .
If you resent us so much , then get out ! I never said you were welcome here in the first place .
Lauren suddenly let out a cold laugh , dripping with mockery You think I wanted to come back ? Have you already forgotten what happened last night , Mr.
David ? You were desperate to use me to rebuild your partnership with Gray Corporation , yet now youre acting like I forced my way in here .
What , do you think youre so high and mighty that I should be grateful for the way you treat me ? Enough ! David roared , his entire body trembling with fury .
He shot up from his chair , stormed over to Lauren , and without hesitation- Slap ! The impact was brutal .
The force knocked Lauren sideways , sending her crashing against the dining table .
Her plate tumbled to the ground , shattering into pieces .
Her face swelled instantly , her lip splitting open as blood trickled down , staining the crisp white tablecloth .
Her right ear , already weakened from years of abuse , buzzed violently from the blow .
A high pitched ringing filled her head .
like a swarm of bees buzzing relentlessly in her ear .
Did it hurt ? For Lauren , not really .
After everything she endured in prison , getting hit was nothing new , But just because it didnt hurt didnt mean she wouldnt hate them for it .
Lauren turned her head slowly , her expression ice cold .
Davids face hardened with rage , his eyes showing no hint of a fathers love .
Alice looked devastated , but she hadnt done a thing to stop him .
Elliots brows were furrowed , a flicker of something complicated crossing his gaze before he quickly masked it with indifference .
And Willow she didnt even bother hiding the smug satisfaction in her eyes .
Years of bottled up pain and resentment finally erupted .
With a sudden burst of strength , Lauren grabbed the edge of the dining table and flipped it over .
Crash ! Dishes shattered , food splattered across the floor , and silverware clattered noisily .
David and Alice stumbled back in shock .
Willow let out a terrified scream .
Lauren , are you out of your mind ! Elliot roared .
Laurens voice shook with fury .
What gives you the right to treat me like this ? What did I ever do to deserve this ? Tears spilled down her face , mixing with the blood at the corner of her mouth , streaking down her cheeks .
Alice stepped forward , reaching for her .
Laurie , calm down .
Were family .
We can talk about this .
Theres no need to make a scene .
Lauren yanked her arm away , her chest heaving .
Davids face darkened .
You ungrateful brat ! Look at yourself youre a disgrace to the Bennett family ! Willow peeked out from behind David , her voice soft , trembling with fake guilt .
Laurie , please dont be mad .
Its all my fault .
Blame me if you want ; just dont be upset anymore , okay ? But Lauren wasnt listening .
She saw their mouths moving angry , disappointed , insincere but their words sounded distant , muffled .
כיב 2:40 PM d Chapter 16 You Have to Listen She felt trapped , like she was shouting into a void giving it everything she had , yet hearing nothing in return .
The room swayed .
Her vision blurred .
Finished She staggered toward the door , trying to steady herself , but her body wouldnt cooperate .
The dizziness was overpowering .
Her knees buckled , and before she could catch herself , she collapsed forward .
Lauriel Elliot lunged forward just in time , catching her before she hit the floor .
His arms trembled slightly as he held her , his grip firm yet careful .
She was fine just a second ago ! What happened ? Alices voice wavered with panic , her eyes filling with tears .
David scoffed .
I know her tricks .
If shes good at anything , its playing the victim .
Shes always been a manipulative little liar Enough ! Elliots voice was sharp , veins bulging at his temples .
Lauren just passed out , and all you can do is stand here and mock her ? Im starting to wonder if shes even really your daughter .
Without waiting for a response , he swept Lauren into his arms and strode upstairs .
Davids face burned with fury .
If she werent my daughter , she wouldnt even have the chance to throw a tantrum in my house !