CHAPTER 678: CHAPTER 678: SHATTERING HER DREAMS STEP BY STEP (2)

Claire Lowell smiled and said, "I’m really sorry for keeping Alliance Leader Rivers waiting. I just went to the kitchen and saw that the chicken soup was ready, so I quickly stir-fried two greens." She paused and continued, "It’s getting late now, Alliance Leader Rivers, why don’t you stay for dinner? You wouldn’t refuse, would you?"

She displayed the demeanor of a hostess, as if she were the lady of the house.

Elias Hawthorne slightly furrowed his brows, a flash of displeasure visible in his eyes.

Just as he was about to speak, Raina North stopped him. She smiled at Claire Lowell and said, "Sure, thank you so much, Miss Lowell." After a slight pause, she added, "But Miss Lowell, you shouldn’t be going to the kitchen for these sorts of things anymore. Otherwise, people will think Nameless is being arrogant and neglecting guests, which wouldn’t be good." She turned to Elias Hawthorne and asked, "Don’t you agree?"

Elias Hawthorne replied without hesitation, "Yes." He then instructed the butler nearby, "If Miss Lowell comes here as a guest again, don’t allow her into the kitchen."

Claire Lowell’s smile froze, surprised that Elias Hawthorne would be so disrespectful to her because of Raina North.

And this wasn’t the first time. Her various privileges at The Dark Tower had been revoked because of Orion Rivers, and now even her rights to use the kitchen at The Nameless Estate were taken away.

In Claire Lowell’s mind, only the lady of the house should have access to the kitchen. Now, with Orion Rivers’ actions, it felt like one step closer to crushing her dreams.

Anger boiled inside her, but she dared not act on it, merely looking at Elias Hawthorne with a grievance. These past few days, Elias Hawthorne’s constant actions had indeed made her more restrained.

Uncle Coleman observed and was quite pleased with Claire Lowell’s demeanor this time, smiling as he said, "Since dinner is ready, let’s dine together. Alliance Leader Rivers must also be hungry."

"Yes, I am a bit hungry." Earlier, when she went over to check on Jonah Rivers, Raina North hadn’t had lunch, and Elias Hawthorne had fed her some tangerines just now, which whetted her appetite and made her even hungrier.

"Well then, Alliance Leader, please." Uncle Coleman saw Claire Lowell standing beside him and beckoned her, "Clara, come over and help me to the dining room."

Claire Lowell hurried over to support Uncle Coleman, unable to resist sneaking a glance at Elias Hawthorne. Seeing he didn’t oppose, she felt a surge of joy.

Uncle Coleman noticed Claire Lowell’s reaction and couldn’t help but sigh; everything about The Eldest Miss Lowell was good, except her thoughts were too shallow.

But then again, the elders were satisfied with Claire Lowell exactly because of her shallow thoughts; the reason being their master at The Tower was far too enigmatic.

"Oh, about to start dinner, I really arrived at just the right time." The one speaking wasn’t anyone else but Quinn Thorne, who had been sent by Elias Hawthorne to take care of things.

Claire Lowell saw Quinn Thorne and showed a slight smile, "Since Lord of Vermilion is here, why not join us for dinner?"

Quinn Thorne grinned broadly and replied, "I would love to, though I’m not sure if the boss will give me the chance to mooch a meal."

He was quite eager to join, but without the boss’s word, he didn’t have the nerve at all.

Nonetheless, this Miss Lowell truly left him at a loss for words, daring to put on such a lady-of-the-house act in front of his cousin. Isn’t she just asking for trouble?

The kicker is that there’s no need for Raina North to act on it personally; Elias Hawthorne himself could easily tear Claire Lowell down.

The dining room.

Elias Hawthorne sat at the head of the table, with Raina North sitting at the first seat to his left.

This seat originally belonged to Claire Lowell, who was now filled with yet another wave of grievance, except Elias Hawthorne remained indifferent.

Uncle Coleman didn’t say anything; Elias Hawthorne’s earlier words had him waking up to reality, realizing their master wasn’t an ordinary person. Past favors might allow one to live well, but were insufficient for interfering with Elias Hawthorne’s matters.