Chapter 398


    Chapter 398


    “Crying won’t solve anything. Apologize.” To my surprise, Neil spoke up, his tonepletely different


    from when he demanded an apology from me earlier. He pulled Hiram in front of me, “Since your mom


    said you were in the wrong, you should apologize. I made a mistake earlier.”


    His action caught Karina off guard, and she stared nkly at Neil.


    Hiram, tear-streaked and sobbing, stood before me. Both of his parents were telling him to apologize.


    Without anyone to back him up, he dared not be stubborn.


    “Ms. Finch, I’m sorry. I… I shouldn’t have taken your food without asking. I was impolite, Hiram


    stammered between sobs, looking pitiful.


    Children don’t know any better. They are the products of their parents’ upbringing.


    In that case, Karina should have taken responsibility for Hiram’s actions.


    I patted Hiram’s head, “All right, I forgive you. Next time, ask politely if you want something, okay?”


    Hiram nodded, choking on his tears, then looked back at Neil and Karina, as if waiting for them to


    speak.


    Karina managed a small smile and waved Hiram over, “Come here, sweetie.”


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Only then did Hiram hide behind Karina again. Neil didn’t say a word, and just looked at me.


    “All right, you all carry on eating.” I avoided Neil’s gaze and turned to Russel, “Let’s go.”


    Just then, Karina spoke, “Ms. Finch, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”


    I stopped in my tracks, unable to think of any unfinished business between us. Russel tried to pull me


    away, but Neil grabbed my other arm, “Hold on, didn’t you hear her?”


    I was curious to hear what Karina had to say, but Neil’s abruptness irritated me.


    I shook off his hand, “I don’t want to listen, okay?”


    With that, I stormed out of the dining room. When we entered the elevator, Russel finally smiled, “Good.


    Keep that attitude with Karina. Avoid her as much as possible and don’t believe anything she says,


    okay?”


    I nodded. I was not in the mood to argue.


    “Promise me you won’t believe anything she says, okay?” Russel repeated, emphasizing his point.


    That piqued my curiosity. I could have sensed his aversion to Karina, even disgust, from his tone.


    I nodded again and said, “Okay, I got it.”


    Back in the room, Iy down to rest. Because of my injured hand, I had to n my shower carefully.


    Russel, on the other hand, was researching Eldoria’s hospital information, intending to work there as a


    doctor.


    I drifted off to sleep, and when I woke up, I heard the sound of running water from the bathroom.


    Russel was probably taking a shower.


    I wanted to take a shower too, and suddenly remembered the hotel had a hot spring pool. I could have


    just gone to soak in there and called Ste over.


    After sending Ste a message, I immediately headed to the hot spring pool. There were even


    professional spa masseuses avable.


    “Oh, Ms. Finch, you’re here too?” I had just arrived when I heard Karina’s voice.


    I wondered if she was stalking me.


    Why else would I have kept running into her?


    Just then, Ste’s voice rang out, “Rena, I’m here! Where are you hurt? Let me see!”


    She rushed over and upon seeing my bandaged hand, she paled, asking, “How did you get hurt so


    badly? Where were the safety guards? They let you get hurt, and the elevator broke down earlier too.


    We paid money for this? We’reining when we get back!”


    “Yeah, this hotel isn’t great. But Hiram said he liked the ind and wanted toe here, and his dad


    indulges him a lot. So, he agreed.” Karina chimed in, subtly unting Neil’s affection for Hiram.


    Ste gave Karina a nce and smirked, “Oh, Dr. Karina, I didn’t see you earlier. Why are you soaking


    in the hot spring alone instead of spending time with Neil?”


    “Neil is ying games with Hiram, so I came down to rx.” Karina’s face was full of sweetness.


    Ste caught on quickly. Karina was unting Neil’s special treatment of her and his affection for Hiram,


    asserting their status in the Whitmore family. “Heh, why would you let Neil y games with your son?


    He should be teaching him business strategies. How else is your son going to inherit Whitmore Co.’s


    vast fortune?” Ste’s words were dripping with sarcasm, but she maintained a bright smile on her


    face.


    Ryan and Faith’s resistance to Karina’s rtionship with Neil, driven by their significant differences in


    status, were widely recognized within the family. Even though Karina’s mother, Gloria had married a


    wealthy man and made a name for herself, her involvement in the FarHorizon Group scandal had


    forced her to flee overseas, rendering her useless to Karina.


    Karina’s reputation as an internationally renowned doctor was far


    In response to Ste’s snide remarks, Karina simply smiled and


    happy. We’re all mothers here; we should understand that feeling.”


    I couldn’t deny that. I felt the same way towards Serena and Brandon. benefit


    “Let’s some sense of aplishment. I hope for is that Hiram grows up safe, healthy, and


    “How koble of you, Ste said, linking her arm with mine. “All right, oh great mother. We’re off to soak in


    the hot springs. We won’t stick around to hear about your perfect, blissful family life. Bye-bye.”


    Ste’s sarcasm was always sharp and to the point. The fact that Karina managed to remain so


    composed was something I admired.


    She waved casually in my direction, “All right, Ms. Finch. Be careful not to get your hand wet. If it gets


    infected, it could be quite problematic, and you might even be impaired.”


    I frowned. The wound on my palm was rather deep and I was also worried about infection. But


    something about the way Karina warned me made me feel somewhat uneasy.