?<strong>Chapter 1146:</strong>


    Laney’s fists trembled at her sides. Her chest heaved as she finally forced out the words, “Kira insulted me.”


    “You’re lying! I didn’t insult you!” Kira wailed, hiding her face behind her hands.


    “What did she say to you?” Cliff’s prating gaze bore into Laney. His authoritative tonemanded such presence that no one dared lift their head.


    Laney raised her chin in defiance, her eyes zing with unshed tears. “Her mother called me worthless, and Kira told me to have my mother help me retaliate—mocking me because my mother is dead!” Her voice cracked at the end, and she bit her lip fiercely to keep from breaking down.


    Cliff’s frown deepened. Though the insults were cruel, he found Laney’s physical response excessive. “What have I taught you? If she insults you, return the favor with words. Was violence really necessary?”


    Laney staggered back as if struck, her eyes growing impossibly wider. Confusion clouded her mind—had Cliffe to defend her, or was he joining forces with her bullies?


    Mistaking her expression for residual anger, Cliff reached for her hand to examine it for any swelling. Laney jerked away from his touch.


    Cliff’s expression hardened to ice. “Why are you throwing a tantrum in front of me? Should I not havee today?”


    Tears spilled down Laney’s cheeks as sheshed out, “I never asked you toe! Who told you to interfere?”


    The Foster family traded knowing looks. Evidently, Cliff wasn’t as devoted to Laney as they’d feared. Their relief was palpable—it had been nothing more than a false rm. Despite Kira’s injury, Cliff’s presence made them wary of pressing the issue further.


    “Let bygones be bygones, Mr. Hopkins,” Maka said with forced pleasantry. “They’re just being childish. Have your cousin offer an apology and we’ll call it even.”


    “No way!” Laney’s voice rang out in outrage.


    Cliff’s frustration mounted as he watched her defiance, wondering if his years of nurturing had somehow led to this headstrong behavior.


    “You’ve already struck her. What’s the harm in apologizing? It’s just three simple words—they cost you nothing.” Cliff stepped aside, his voice stern withmand. “Apologize.”


    Through her tears, Laney remained resolute. “I won’t apologize! Let her p me back instead!”


    Cliff nearly reached his breaking point. Not wanting to discipline her before an audience, he seized her hand and strode out of the office.


    Laney stumbled behind him, her shorter legs and injured foot struggling to match his pace as his iron grip threatened to wrench her shoulder from its socket. The burning sense of injustice overwhelmed even the physical pain, and she wept bitterly the entire way.


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