Chapter 410

Clara sighed in resignation, lightly patting Rose’s arm. “Don’t worry, I’m not the type to harbor grudges.

Besides, it seems I’m no longer a part of Emmett’s life. Just consider me a regular housemaid, a colleague, that’s all.”

Rose nodded, about to speak when the butler’s yell interrupted them.

“Clara! Why aren’t you in the dining hall yet? Dinner is about to start!”

Clara glanced at the clock. Dinner that early? The Melendez family never used to have meals at such an hour!

However, as a housemaid, she didn’t have the right to question. She merely sighed, stood up, and walked out the door.

The butler sneered at her, “What happened to your face?”

“I bumped into something…”

“Be more careful next time! It doesn’t matter if you hurt your face, but if you damage anything of the Melendez family, you can’t afford to compensate! Don’t think you still hold the status of a mistress!”

With that, the butler strode away.

At that moment, Clara felt a pang of sadness. She felt like she had been demoted, and anyone could have trampled on her.

However, Clara understood their reactions. They had seen the news and probably thought she had betrayed Emmett. She couldn’t really blame them for their hostility.

Clara walked into the dining room, and her ears immediately filled with sarcastic whispers.

“Clara, how dare you show your face here? Don’t tell me you’re trying to cozy up to my grandsons to worm your way back into my son’s life!” Sophia, in her high heels, walked towards her, her gaze cold and unyielding. “Don’t bother with your little calculations. I saw through your schemes long ago! Don’t take us for fools!”

Clara lowered her gaze, biting her lip, “I didn’t. Emmett asked me to serve dinner…”

“My son?” Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Then you may leave. I will inform him for you. You’re not needed tonight! Today is my son’s first formal meeting with Leah, his future wife. What are you doing here, causing trouble and upsetting my future daughter-in-law?”

“Yes. I’ll leave now.” Clara didn’t want to argue; she just wanted to keep a low profile and do her job.

Sophia’s snide comments weren’t anything new. Even when Clara was Mrs. Melendez, she had to endure such remarks. She was used to it by then As Clara turned to leave, she suddenly bumped into someone.

Apologizing quickly, she stuttered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see…”

“Didn’t see…or did you do it on purpose?”

Emmett’s voice echoed above her.

Startled, Clara looked up, meeting his eyes.

On spotting her son, Sophia hurried over with a beaming smile, “Dear, I told her to leave. She’s a killjoy.

You’re about to have dinner with the mother of your children. You need to chat and get to know each other better. Let’s get rid of the riffraff so they won’t ruin your appetite!”

Emmett didn’t respond to his mother. His gaze remained fixed on Clara.

She kept her head down as if Sophia’s words had nothing to do with her.

Suddenly, Emmett spoke to his mother, “Why did you ask her to leave? Isn’t it better if she stays and witnesses how I live without her, how our children live without her?”