Chapter 3

The sound of the beads shattering was like thunder in Claire’s ears.

After slipping through her fingers and hitting the hard marble floor, it shattered into four pieces.

Claire could feel her heart breaking along with it.

Bonnie covered her mouth with her hand and feigned a look of horror. “Oh dear, Claire, how could you be so careless with something that means so much to you? Such a shame to break it!”

Claire shot Bonnie an incensed look.

She knew Bonnie had intentionally dropped the bracelet, and yet, there she was, trying to shift the blame.

With that, she got up and raised her hand in the air before swinging it down at Bonnie.

Smack!

The terrific blow sent Bonnie staggering backward.

Adonis’s eyes widened in an instant.

He immediately rushed over to Claire and shouted, “Claire, what’s wrong with you?”

Claire’s eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice was quivering with rage when she spoke, “She broke my mother’s bracelet! It was the memento she left behind for me!”

Adonis had been present when Heather passed away. He, of all people, should know how much that bracelet meant to her.

It was the only memento Heather had left behind for her, but Bonnie had gone and destroyed it.

However, all Adonis did was regard her icily while shielding Bonnie behind him. “I saw what happened. You were the one who failed to get a good hold of the bracelet. Bonnie is not to be blamed.

“Apologize to her right now.”

Claire’s eyes welled up with tears. She felt a sting running up her nose when she protested, “Why should I apologize when she was the one who intentionally broke it?”

Adonis’s expression darkened further.

“Because she isn't just my PA. She’s also the daughter of my father’s close friend and my family’s foster daughter! Nobody in the city is allowed to hurt her, not even you!”

Upon hearing this, the housemaid who was present and usually got along with Claire shot her a look of caution.

She advised kindly, “Claire, you should just swallow your pride and apologize.”

Years ago, Bonnie’s father had died while saving Adonis’s father. After that, the Kents decided to adopt Bonnie out of gratitude for what her father had done.

Since then, Bonnie had grown up together with Adonis, and both of them were inseparable.

Eventually, she went overseas to study for several years.

As soon as she returned, she became Adonis’s personal assistant, which caused them to grow closer.

This was the reason Adonis would always feel inclined to prioritize Bonnie no matter what.

In the past, Claire had wisely backed down.

This time, she decided she had had enough.

While crouching low to pick up the shattered pieces of the bracelet off the floor, she stated in a faint voice, “I won't apologize.”

Adonis’s hands clenched into tight fists.

“You sure have some guts, Claire.

“Let's see just how long you can keep this up.”

As soon as he said so, several bodyguards showed up to pin Claire down on her knees.

Then, Adonis picked up the shattered remains of the bracelets, even stepping on one of the fragments.

“Claire, I’m giving you one last chance to apologize to Bonnie.”

Claire cried out in horror, “Adonis, what are you doing?”

There was not a single trace of affection on Adonis’s face.

“The bracelet could’ve been repaired, but now, it’s too late.”

With that, he stomped on the fragments as hard as he could, crushing them into powder with sheer force!

Claire let out a piercing scream.

“Adonis, you’re sick! My mother left that for me…”

Claire was wailing uncontrollably.

After she managed to fend off the bodyguards, she scrambled forward on all fours to try to salvage what was left. To her horror, all she could salvage was a heap of powder which scattered at the slightest hint of wind.

Adonis then angled his shoes against another piece.

“It’s just a bracelet. If you care about it enough to justify hurting Bonnie for it, I will destroy it.”

Claire tried to lunge at him to stop him, but the bodyguards stopped her.

She was shaking all over, but was too terrified to oppose Adonis anymore.

All she could do was feebly apologize, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.

“Please, have some mercy. I’ll apologize to Bonnie. I’ll do whatever you want.”

She knew Adonis had enough cruelty in him to follow through with destroying what was left of the bracelet.

Adonis's voice was devoid of any warmth.

“You’ll get it back only if Bonnie forgives you.”

Claire obliged. She went to Bonnie and apologized profusely like her life depended on it. “I’m sorry, Bonnie. I shouldn't have hit you. Please, forgive me.”

She felt something breaking inside her when she apologized.

Large beads of tears fell onto the ground. Her dignity, along with the final remnants of her love and affection for Adonis, was utterly crushed.

Meanwhile, a sense of triumph flashed across Bonnie’s eyes.

Even then, she feigned concern and raised Claire’s head. “Oh, it’s fine. I’m sorry for being careless.

“Ady is just overreacting, don’t take it to heart.”

Claire turned back to Adonis with a hollow look in her eyes.

“May I have it back now?”

With that, Adonis handed her the remains of the bracelet.

Just when it looked like he was about to say something, Claire turned away.

Adonis felt an inexplicable pang of irritation when he observed the way Claire walked away.

After that, Claire left the house with nothing to her person other than the three remaining fragments of the bracelet.

She walked absentmindedly down the street and barely registered the fact that it was raining, only finally snapping out of it when she received a phone call from the hospital.

“Hey, Claire. How was your day?”

Claire had to press a hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs as she was crying uncontrollably.

After a long pause, she composed herself and answered as nonchalantly as possible. “It was fine. How are you getting along at the hospital? I’m coming to visit you now.”

Ever since Heather’s passing, her younger sister, Elizabeth Monroe, was the only family she had left.

Fate had a way of toying with her, for Elizabeth was eventually diagnosed with leukemia, which caused her health to deteriorate by the day. She was very frail now.

After arriving at the hospital, Claire went straight to the ward.

As soon as she opened the door, the items she held in her hand dropped all over the floor.

Bonnie was sitting inside the room!