CHAPTER 284: CHAPTER 284: OPEN AND HIDDEN STRUGGLES

Rosalie Quinn didn’t expect Seraphina Sinclair to take the initiative to discuss this topic, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.

Seraphina, however, showed no particular reaction, sipping her milk and looking at the webpage that couldn’t be opened anymore, even with a smile on her lips as if she had expected this outcome: "I know Nina Kerr won’t fall out of favor so soon, because he’s right beside her."

"Seraphina, you don’t have to be too upset, people like Nina are bound to get unlucky sooner or later, we don’t need to rush." Rosalie felt a pang of sympathy seeing her seeming indifference.

Inwardly, she cursed Desmond Fairchild and his ancestors, what a scumbag.

"When he protected me back then, it was just like this." Seraphina said, a twofold glimmer in her eyes, then suddenly it vanished, leaving only endless darkness, "Rosalie, am I worse than Nina?"

Rosalie immediately retorted, looking quite disdainful: "What kind of nonsense are you talking about? What kind of person is Nina? Can she even compare to you, seriously?"

"She’s the kind he likes." Seraphina laughed bitterly.

"If he fell for Nina, that’s his bad taste. Seraphina, he’s not worthy of you, you really don’t need to suppress yourself like this. If you’re upset, then cry out loud, why should we worry about a scumbag? Does he deserve it?" Rosalie couldn’t bear it any longer, rushing over to try and hug Seraphina to comfort her.

Unexpectedly, before she could reach her, she saw a sudden change in Seraphina’s expression, her previously subdued demeanor instantly becoming fierce: "You’re right, losing me is his loss, the one who should be upset is him. Since he likes helping Nina so much, fine, I’ll let him help to his heart’s content!"

Rosalie’s comforting words weren’t even finished before Seraphina’s whole facial expression altered.

This woman, truly a woman, she switches moods faster than flipping pages.

Rosalie hadn’t managed to understand the meaning behind Seraphina’s words before she was chased out of the study.

In the following period, Seraphina didn’t explicitly declare war on Nina, but her covert tactics against Nina seemed endless.

This was the happiest time for Fiona Dunn, but the time Rosalie pitied Seraphina the most.

Perhaps others didn’t know, but as her close friend, Rosalie was aware that Seraphina didn’t genuinely want to deal with Nina right now; she was wrestling with Desmond.

But this kind of action was really unlike Seraphina, who had always thought of her as mature and strong, having survived Ethan Lloyd’s betrayal and hurt.

And now facing Desmond’s hurdle, she seemed unable to overcome it.

If it weren’t for being deeply in love, how would one decide to sever all ties yet still desperately find excuses and opportunities to stay tangled?

Unfortunately, Seraphina remained deeply involved, unwilling to admit she couldn’t forget Desmond, and still thought she currently loathed him and wanted to get rid of him fast.

However, everyone else could see it, yet nobody dared to step forward and tell her the truth.

Today marked the day for the monthly dinner at the White Family’s old residence.

Fiona Dunn, as Joel White’s fiancée, was also on the invite list.

She was genuinely looking forward to this gathering, with Seraphina and Nina likely to clash again; such an interesting event she had to attend.

Moreover, she feared Seraphina would lose her composure facing Desmond and get overwhelmed by Nina, so she would definitely jump in to help.

In fact, Fiona was overthinking.

Seraphina never backed down from an event unless she didn’t want to.

Seraphina arrived with Jude Sinclair, as usual, the last to arrive at the White residence.

Reina and Luna White, siblings, having learned from past experiences, dared not speak out, simply bowing their heads quietly.

But Nina remained as enthusiastic as ever, even standing up to greet: "Seraphina, you finally made it, after so long I thought you’d still be mad at me over Desmond."

As soon as those words were out, everyone’s gaze naturally drifted towards Seraphina, except for the three brothers.

Luna White mumbled softly, voicing what everyone held in their hearts: "I don’t see what’s worth fretting over, just an ex-boyfriend, why be so petty."

"Luna!" sitting opposite her, Camille White furrowed her brows and chastised softly.

Regarding Seraphina and Desmond’s matter, apart from the involved parties, no one was qualified to comment.

"Why are you scolding me? I didn’t lie!" Luna protested, raising her voice, "Clearly we are the Whites, Seraphina is merely an outsider, why are you all siding with her!"

In the White Family, discussing ’yours’ and ’mine’ was strictly taboo.

Everyone had no blood ties to Old Master White, whether an outsider or family, it was all up to him.

Clearly, Luna had already forgotten these matters, presuming herself to be the true daughter of the White Family after living there so long.

Seeing Old Master White’s face turning somber, Reina hoped to advise Luna to stop talking, but Luna was too loose-lipped to be stopped.

Pointing at Seraphina and Jude, she cursed: "I can’t stand you, what’s wrong? Before you came to Diamond Island, no one ever scolded me. Who do you think you are, what’s there to be proud of? A bastard and a discarded woman, if I were you, I’d hide away, where do you find the face to come out and embarrass yourselves, truly disgusting."

Before her words were finished, a loud slap echoed.

Everyone was stunned.

They expected Seraphina’s previous temper to throw a few verbal jabs at Luna and be done with it, never imagining she actually took physical action.

"Since the White Family’s eldest failed to educate his daughter, I can only do it for him; I trust you won’t mind, correct?" Seraphina, with a sharp look, glanced at Luna’s father, clearly phrasing it as a question but causing Mr. White’s heart to constrict.

He wanted to retort, but Seraphina’s glance felt like a sword, rendering him breathless, forcing his words into agreement: "Seraphina is right, this child is poorly educated, it’s on me as her brother for not teaching, disciplining is necessary!"

Luna, clutching her cheek, expected everyone to stand up for her, but was shocked to hear her father speak like that.

She looked in disbelief at Mr. White, eyes filled with anger: "Dad, she slapped me, how can you still speak for her! Am I really your daughter?"

Nina frowned, quickly stepping forward to play the good sister role: "Luna, are you okay?"

"Nina, what did I say wrong, Seraphina went too far, she hit me!" As if finding her backbone, Luna rushed into Nina’s embrace, sobbing.

"Seraphina, Luna is young and insensitive, whatever she said wasn’t intentional, you’re magnanimous, don’t hold it against her, okay?" Nina looked at Seraphina softly, her eyes glistening, seeming clear and pure, suggesting that if Seraphina continued pursuing the matter, it meant she was unreasonable, lacking grace.