CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: CLAIRE NORTH PAYS A VISIT (PART 2)

Claire North rang the doorbell.

Soon, a maid came out.

"Hello, Misses. Who are you looking for?"

Claire North instinctively straightened her back, assuming a poised and elegant manner: "Your Young Madam is Raina North, right? She’s my sister, and I’m visiting her today."

"Miss North, please wait a moment." The maid courteously led Claire North into a nearby lounge and hurried off to report.

Soon another maid brought in tea and snacks.

Claire North sipped the fragrant tea, taking in the luxurious surroundings. Even this temporary lounge was more opulent than the North Family’s living room. It seemed the Hawthorne Family truly wielded immense power.

Claire North felt jealous, and Evelyn Xavier was even more vocally upset.

"Claire, you’re too biased. How could you let something so good go to Raina? That heartless person won’t remember your kindness."

Claire North looked annoyed but had to remain calm: "Evelyn, don’t talk nonsense. Did you forget that Elias Hawthorne... he’s not a good match?"

Because she was on Hawthorne territory, Claire North spoke particularly tactfully.

"I know, isn’t it about Elias Hawthorne looking ghastly, being a monster incapable of humanity, and having a four-year-old illegitimate son?"

"Lower your voice!" Claire North couldn’t help but tug at Evelyn Xavier: "This is still the Hawthorne Family’s home!"

"And so what if it’s the Hawthorne Family? Can’t the truth be spoken?" Even as Evelyn said this, her voice dropped significantly, her gaze greedily taking in her surroundings.

...

Raina North was in the living room grinding traditional medicine, arranged by Old Mrs. Hawthorne for her practice, since the assessment to enter The Veridian Institute of Medicine included a pharmaceutical task.

Old Mrs. Hawthorne was worried about her stress, repeatedly telling her over the phone not to feel pressured, assuring her that failing the entry assessment wasn’t a problem, considering she had the Hawthorne Family’s backing. It wasn’t just a matter of securing a trainee position at The Veridian Institute of Medicine; even founding a separate institute with her as the head would be no difficulty, so there was no need to stress oneself.

Old Mrs. Hawthorne confidently declared: Who says wealth and power aren’t real strength? If it doesn’t grant convenience to one’s own, then why have generations of Hawthornes worked so hard, just to be idle?

Though Raina North never considered such a minor assessment important, the warmth she felt from such protection was indescribable.

Having nothing to repay her with, Raina could only make some health remedies to ensure Old Mrs. Hawthorne’s wellbeing and tranquility.

While busily engrossed, a maid came rushing over: "Young Madam, someone outside says she is your sister and wants to see you."

Raina North was puzzled: "Sister? Who?"

"She said her name is Claire North, and there’s another named Evelyn Xavier."

"Claire North? Evelyn Xavier?" Raina’s brows furrowed; she didn’t think these two came with good intentions.

The maid saw this and stated: "If you don’t wish to see them, I can ask them to leave."

"No need." Raina carefully checked the degree of pulverization of the herbs, speaking nonchalantly: "Let her come in."

She wanted to see exactly what Claire North was up to.

Claire North had drunk three cups of tea in the lounge at the entrance, still no one came.

Since returning to the North Family, it was the first time she’d been treated with such disregard; her expression was a bit sour, and Evelyn Xavier was even more furious.

"What does Raina mean by this! We’ve been here for so long and she hasn’t come out yet. Does she really think marrying into the Hawthorne Family allows her to behave however she pleases? Does she even know what kind of person she really is?"