?<strong>Chapter 677:</strong>


    ire’s eyes widened in disbelief. She instinctively nced at Thea, but Thea didn’t dare to meet her gaze.


    “I… I didn’t know,” ire stammered, her face draining of color as her voice dwindled to a pathetic whisper.


    Elyse’s expression hardened. “Now, do you still expect an apology from me?”


    The intensity of Elyse’s stare sent a chill down ire’s spine.


    Desperately seeking refuge, ire hid behind her mother. She attempted to feign magnanimity and said shakily, “Well, since you’re so pitiful, I won’t demand an apology from you.”


    Elyse, uninterested in wasting any more of her time here, swiftly turned on her heel to leave.


    “Stop right there!”


    This time, it was Felicia’s voice that rang out, sharp and authoritative.


    Elyse turned back to look Felicia in the eye. What could she possibly want by detaining her?


    “Apologize.” Felicia’s eyes glinted coldly, her voice as cold and unforgiving as a winter storm.


    Refusing to back down, Elyse held Felicia’s gaze defiantly. “Miss Lipson already said she doesn’t need my apology.”


    “That’s her choice not to pursue it. However, I believe you owe it to her. Apologize.” Felicia’s tone was businesslike, her expression unreadable as she stared Elyse down.


    After a tense moment, Elyse broke the silence, her voice steady and unwavering. “I won’t apologize. I did nothing wrong.”


    As though expecting such a response, Felicia’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Such a stubborn girl. You won’t apologize, huh? Fine. I’ll just lock you in the dark room and starve you for three days.”


    ire’s mother, feeling that the punishment was too severe, tried to mediate. “Forget it. It’s just a minor squabble between girls. There’s no need for such a harsh punishment.”


    Felicia’s gaze remained cold and unyielding. “Every member of the Benson family knows that actions have consequences. Elyse refuses to acknowledge her wrongdoing, so she will face double the punishment.”


    Felicia turned to the maid. “Lock her up. And remember, anyone caught sneaking her food will join her in her starvation.”


    As Felicia’s words hung in the air like a death sentence, the maid approached Elyse.


    Elyse struggled to free herself, but her movements pulled painfully at the injury on her back, causing her to gasp in pain.


    Thea secretly reveled in watching Elyse being dragged away, but she masked her satisfaction with feigned concern. “Grandma, Elyse still seems so defiant. Doesn’t she understand she’s in the wrong?”


    “Hmph!” Felicia snorted with disdain. “Starving for three days will make her see the light. I know how to handle a tough one.”


    Thea, noting Felicia’s obvious disdain for Elyse, felt a wave of relief wash over her.


    ire’s mother, thoroughly rattled by the scene she had just witnessed, grabbed ire and quickly left, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere.


    ire was practically dragged out of the house by her mother, who shot her an angry re. Feeling indignant, ire protested, “Mom, what’s with that look? I didn’t do anything wrong!”


    Her mother, seething with anger, jabbed a finger at ire’s forehead. “The Benson family never mentioned Rickey’s death. Howe you kept spouting nonsense about him? And how on earth did you learn that Elyse was back? Even I didn’t know!”


    ire’s head hung low under her mother’s sharp scolding.


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