Claire Chase watched the scene, shock flashing in her eyes before settling into cold mockery.

She couldn't even be bothered to explain, simply crossing her arms and coldly watching Madeline Lynwood's performance.

The commotion outside quickly drew a crowd.

Felix Quigley and Wilbur arrived almost simultaneously, followed by the restaurant's panicked manager and staff.

"Madeline!" As soon as Felix entered, he saw Madeline collapsed on the floor, the back of her hand red and swollen.

His expression instantly turned somber as he rushed over to help her up. He glared at Claire, who stood to the side looking indifferent. The fury in his eyes threatened to consume her.

"Claire! What are you doing?" Felix's voice was bone-chilling, carrying an

undeniable tone of judgment. "How could you be so vicious to her? What did she ever do to you to deserve this?"

Claire looked at the furious man before her her husband, legally the closest person to her.

Yet right now, he only had eyes for the pitiful "victim," not bothering to ask Claire a single question.

"Felix, don't blame my cousin. It's my fault..." Madeline leaned against his chest, sobbing. She sounded like she was pleading for mercy, but she was twisting the knife. "I shouldn't have worn the tiara you gave me in front of her. She tried to snatch it, and I refused. That's how the conflict started. She didn't mean it..."

"You don't need to defend her!" Felix looked heartbroken at Madeline's injured hand. When he turned back to Claire, his voice involuntarily grew harsh. "Apologize!" Claire stared at him coldly, her delicate face devoid of any emotion.

It was as if she couldn't care less about him.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, Felix frowned.

He thought that as long as she showed a hint of weakness and yielded like she used to, he would let it go.

He could overlook her injuring someone for the sake of their past affection.

But she didn't react at all.

She looked at Felix, her gaze as calm as if she were looking at a stranger.

At that moment, Felix felt a wave of disappointment.

She was clearly the one who had hurt someone, so how could she be so unfazed?

Felix furrowed his brows, warning Claire, "You hurt someone, you need to apologize!"

Claire scoffed. "I didn't do it. Why should I apologize?"

"If you didn't do it, did she crush her own hand? Felix's voice rose.

you think that's possible? Whorf get

would believe you?"

He had always known Claire wanted the Aquaria Tiara, so he naturally assumed she would get into a physical altercation with Madeli over it.

No one would be stupid enough to intentionally hurt themselves just to frame someone else.

"Believe what you want."

Was his trust really that important?

Wilbur finished speaking with the restaurant staff and came over to Claire. "Are you hurt?"

Claire shook her head.

Seeing them whispering together reignited the fury Felix had been suppressing all night.

His jaw tightened as he snapped a

warning"

say it one last time

Whet

Apologize to Madeline right now else..."

Claire cut him off before he could finish. "Call the cops."

Wilbur immediately understood and pulled out his phone to call 911.

Felix's gaze turned dark.

He had only said that as a threat; he didn't actually want to involve the police.

After all, Claire was his wife.

Hearing Claire ask for the police, Madeline panicked.

She gripped Felix's sleeve tightly, frantically reassuring herself in her mind.