"What did you do today?"
Wynter was standing at the office of her father, Charlie Morgrave.
He called for her after they got home. And standing on the side was her mother.
"I did not protect mother from being embarrassed—"
*SLAP*
She clenched her jaw when she received that familiar, strong slap.
"Is this how you grow up outside of this house? We allowed you to study in a different city because it could help with your character. But how dare you let your mother be embarrassed?" he angrily rebuked.
"I'm sorry, Father," she could only say.
"Sorry? You have embarrassed your mother in front of the one person who looked down on her for so many years! You should have stood by her and protected her!!"
Wynter simply lowered her eyes, she had nothing to say.
If she keeps apologizing, then he will just slap her and berate her even more.
If she tried to tell him why she had to step in a while ago, then all she'd receive was more of their ire.
"If your brother were here, your mother would have been able to keep her head held high in front of that woman."
Charlie was truly seething mad.
Once upon a time, when her mother was still known as Minerva Steele, there were two actresses known to be rivals in receiving the Best Actress award.
Minerva Steele and the current wife of Lenon Ashcroft, Tiffany Ingram.
Though they were being pitted against each other as rivals, Tiffany most of the time comes out victorious, causing Minerva's jealousy to skyrocket, especially when the then sought-after bachelor Lenon Ashcroft chose to pursue Tiffany Ingram.
Her father, Charlie Morgrave, came into the picture when the two became official, and Minerva felt that she needed to find someone of the same standing as Lenon to be her partner.
Despite getting married and becoming Madam Morgrave, her inferiority complex towards Tiffany never diminished.
She always lives trying to compete against her.
Whether in befriending someone or how grand she can throw parties
"You should just drop out of that school and return to home schooling this instant!" he continued berating her.
Wynter kept her lips shut and simply listened to everything her father had to say.
Because Charlie Morgrave loves his wife dearly. The reason he couldn't really stop her from being cold towards Wynter when she was a child and could only dote on her.
But because of Wynter's grave sin, he had become the person he is today towards her.
"Remember this very well, you have no right to embarrass any one of us, nor do you have the right to complain about what you are experiencing today in this family. You are doing the bare minimum to pay for what you have done."
Her eyes glazed over, "Yes, Father."
…
Meanwhile.
"Oh, what does my wonderful nephew need for him to actually call his aunt?"
Shawn pursed his lips.
Upon getting home, he chose to call his aunt, who was obviously still awake.
"It sounds like I only call you when I need something," he couldn't help but complain.
His brows were slightly furrowed, and it felt like he had already said these words before.
'Déjà vu?'
He shook his head, "I have something to ask."
"Hmmm, what is it?" Larissa asked, hearing the seriousness in his tone.
After Shawn graduated, she also left and returned to their hospital. She only went to that school to watch over Shawn, who finds himself in different kinds of trouble because of his kindness.
"Have you ever… asked Harmony about her parents?"
Larissa was slightly taken aback.
"Are you still hung up with her? Why not let the young lady go already?"
Larissa truly felt bad for Harmony, she seemed to be carrying a lot on her shoulders already. If her nephew were to be added, just how difficult would her life be?
"That's not it. Uhmm, she has somehow accepted me already as her friend. And I'll tell you in detail once she gives me permission. For now, I am asking this because there is something I wish to understand," he explained.
'I want to understand if such a seemingly perfect child could be hated by her mother to the point of hurting her even while in public.'
Hearing how serious he sounds, Larissa couldn't help but sigh and tell him things honestly.
"She told me that they are fully supporting her, that she can do so much because of it. But I feel that it is not the way she portrayed it to be. She does not seem like she was from a household that fully supported their child. That is what I observed."
"I see," Shawn replied solemnly.
"She is a pitiful child, that is what I genuinely feel. So don't burden her any more than what she is already carrying," she couldn't help but remind him.
"I know, auntie. I will surely do my best to be a support to her instead," Shawn replied.
He couldn't help but sigh after the call ended.
He did not expect that knowing Harmony's secret could make him feel so heavy. Especially after seeing such an obvious abuse.
After some thought, he went to his father's study, knowing that he was still awake.
"Oh, what does my son need from his father?"
Shawn frowned, "You guys are really siblings."
Dominick raised an eyebrow before turning serious upon noticing the shadows in his son's face.
"What is it?" he asked seriously.
"Do you know the history of Wynter Morgrave's family? From when Minerva Morgrave was still an actress."
Dominick blinked in surprise.
"Well, I suppose the one you should approach about that is your mother."
"Then how about Charlie Morgrave as a father?"