Chapter 5
She clutched the trophy tightly in her arms, her face devoid of any joy or intention to pass it over to Lucille. Instead, she bit her lip. looking somewhat pitiful as she spoke, “Lucille, the director asked me to give this trophy to you. It’s a really prestigious award. You’re
amazing
I want to boldly ask you for a favor… I’ve never won this award before. Could I borrow it for a few days?”
Borrow it? For a few days?!!
Lucille was taken aback by such an outrageous request. It was the first time she’d heard anything like it.
If you really want
She furrowed her brows, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “If you know it’s bold, don’t make such a request. If you one, participate and win it yourself,”
With that, she reached out to take the trophy from Claire’s arms.
Claire hadn’t expected Lucille’s response to be so cold and firm. Her face alternated between shades of red and white, looking as if she’d been thoroughly wronged.
“Lucille, why would you say that? I’m not asking for yours. I just want to keep it at home for motivation.”
As Lucille reached for the trophy, Claire clutched it even tighter, refusing to let go.”
In the heat of their tug–of–war, the crystal trophy fell with a thud, shattering into pieces on the floor.
Just then, Ayrton and Walter happened to walk by. Seeing the scene unfold, they rushed over, immediately shielding Claire. “Claire!”
They crowded around her, faces filled with concern, carefully checking her for any injuries.
Ayrton gently lifted Claire’s dress to inspect her leg and saw a shard of glass had cut her, drawing blood. His eyes narrowed with worry. “I’m taking you to the hospital!”
Ignoring Claire’s protests, he scooped her up and carried her out.
Walter, meanwhile, looked at the mess of glass on the floor, his expression darkening. He turned to Lucille and demanded, “Lucille, you already have everything. Why do you have to take from Claire?!
Take?%
Hearing that word, Lucille almost laughed out of sheer disbelief.
“This is my trophy, my honor, the result of three months of hard work. Yet she clings to it pathetically, and you say I’m taking from her?” Her body trembled with anger as she pointed to the shattered pieces on the floor, her voice as cold as ice.!!
“Now she’s broken it, and I want an apology from Claire.”
She thought her few words would be enough to clarify the situation, but Walter only grew more agitated, raising his voice, “It’s just a trophy You can win countless more. How can that compare to Claire? You caused her to get hurt. She doesn’t owe you an apology. If anything, you should be apologizing to her!“}
With that, Walter turned on his heel, rushing off to tend to Claire without a second thought for Lucille.
Staring at
at the chaotic mess of broken glass, Lucille stood in stunned silence, Walter’s words echoing in her mind.
He wanted her to apologize to Claire? The victim apologizing to the perpetrator?
Walter, you’re really something!!
Her heart ached as she realized, belatedly, that her own leg was also injured, the cut longer and deeper than Claire’s.
Biting back the pain, Lucille cleaned up the L broken pieces before tending to her own wound.
Later that evening, Lucille received a message from her mother. She’d sent over a dozen pictures of wedding dresses, asking Lucille to choose her favorite.
Lucille scrolled through them before calling I her mother
After exchanging a few words, Chloe noticed the fatigue in Lucille’s voice and couldn’t help but ask what had happened.
Thinking about the day’s grievances, Lucille felt a sting in her eyes, but she said nothing, Instead changing the subject.
“Mom, my work here should be wrapped up in about a week. How’s the wedding preparation going?”
Just as she spoke, Ayrton and Walter returned home it
Hearing the word ‘wedding, they both asked in unison, “Wedding? Whose wedding?”