Chapter 299: Secret Struggle

As the servant's words fell, the previously noisy room instantly went dead silent.

Everyone turned to look at the entrance. Douglas and Otis came in first. Both had some reputation in their circles, so they started greeting people warmly as soon as they entered.

Linda and Selene followed close behind, with Claire between them, wearing a glass-blue dress and a white knitted shawl. She looked radiant—even better than when she was at the gallery opening. Her makeup was understated: defined brows, a touch of color, soft pink lips.

Her dark hair was styled in a sleek updo, secured with a simple pin. She wore emerald drop earrings that caught the light.

Her figure was elegant in a tailored dress with pearl buttons and delicate embroidery.

She moved with quiet confidence, the kind that came from knowing exactly who she was and what she was worth.

After Giselle greeted the Chase family members, she took Claire's hand. "I haven't seen Claire in so many years. She's gotten more and more beautiful. I just got back from abroad a few days ago and heard that you took a knife for Philip to save him. Your health has never been good—how could you be so foolish as to take a knife for someone? Are you completely recovered now?"

"Ms. Wright."

Claire's eyes showed a warm smile as she called out softly, then said, "I'm much better now. Thank you for your concern."

Giselle looked distressed. "You were too foolish."

Jessica came over at this moment. "Claire, why didn't you rest more? It's also raining today. Coming all this way back—is your health okay?"

"I'm fine. It's your eightieth birthday this year, and I haven't been back in so many years. No matter what, I had to come back to celebrate your birthday."

Claire's voice was gentle and sincere. "Grandma, happy birthday. Another year, another beautiful chapter. May your days be sweet and your heart light."

"Good, good, good."

Jessica responded repeatedly, then saw a servant holding a transparent glass vase.

Inside were several lisianthus flowers, decorated with a few anemones, arranged tastefully with calla lilies.

The pale purple and moon white gradually blended together in the drizzling rain, the cool light making the vase even more transparent, radiating a unique, moist elegance.

Jessica didn't react at first. "This is?"

Claire smiled and took the vase from the servant, presenting it to Jessica. "This is my homework assignment, and also my gift to you. You taught me flower arrangement. Because of my health, I haven't touched it in many years. I only picked it up again recently after coming back. I don't know if my flower arrangement skills have gotten rusty. I hope you'll give me a grade."

Jessica looked at that lovely face, as if she could see in it the quiet, studious little girl who used to sit beside her at the Wright Manor, learning flower arrangement techniques.

A loving smile appeared on her face. "Very good. I give you 95 points. The remaining 5 points are for you to keep improving."

"Thank you, Mrs. Wright."

Aurora sat back in her seat and chimed in, "This flower arrangement has so much more meaning than those flowers sold outside. Claire, you're really thoughtful."

Those flowers sold outside...

The implication was pretty obvious.

Some people couldn't help glancing at the bouquet sitting on a cabinet not far away.

Claire didn't know Rachel had sent flowers earlier.

But seeing people's expressions and where they were sneaking glances, she understood somewhat. A trace of innocence appeared on her face, which cleverly transformed into playfulness and shyness.

She replied with a smile, "Mrs. Aurora Wright, you're too kind."

Jessica's smile didn't change as she spoke up at the right moment. "They're all gifts from the children. What's there to compare?"

"Mrs. Jessica Wright is right."

Claire reached out to support Jessica's arm, walking toward the main seat on the sofa.

As she was about to leave and sit somewhere else, she inadvertently met Rachel's gaze and paused.

Then she smiled. "Ms. Davis."

Rachel also nodded at her with a slight smile, showing no intention of further conversation.

That Claire would come to the Wright Manor for the birthday celebration today was within Rachel's expectations.

As for Aurora deliberately humiliating her just now, she didn't really care. After all, for someone who would use her own illness to frame her, she truly couldn't muster any hope or expectations.

Jessica changed the subject. Aurora wasn't bothered, knowing Jessica would protect Rachel.

She beckoned to Claire and patted the seat beside her. "Claire, come here. Sit here."

"Okay."

Claire walked over and sat down, then greeted the relatives nearby.

To outsiders, Claire seemed more like Benjamin's girlfriend.

Many people's eyes kept shifting back and forth between Claire and Rachel.

One was Benjamin's former fiancée, one was his current girlfriend. People couldn't help comparing the two.

Their family backgrounds were similar—both from well-educated families. The only difference was that the Chases were all about visibility—old money, social prominence, the kind of family whose name appeared in every society column and charity gala program.

The Davises, on the other hand, were literary and artistic elite. Deeply respected, genuinely influential, their legacy woven into the cultural fabric of the city—but in Dawnlight's high society circles, they were outsiders by choice. They kept to themselves, rarely attending social events or mingling with other prominent families.

Now the most famous member of the Davis family was probably Rachel, who had caused a stir with her divorce and successfully held several art exhibitions that made her quite well-known.

Even the colors of the clothes the two were wearing today were somewhat similar.

The Chanel-style suit dress was in a lighter shade, while that elegant and refined gown was in a slightly deeper color.

Looking at their appearances, both women were absolutely stunning.

Especially Rachel's face—bright and captivating.

As for temperament, both spoke gently and amiably. Their every gesture was dignified and graceful—both were model heirs of prestigious families.

If there were flaws, Claire's would be her poor health. She definitely couldn't get pregnant, and how long she could live depended on fate.

Rachel's flaw was being divorced.

No heir from a wealthy family had ever married a divorced woman.

If word got out, wouldn't people laugh? How embarrassing.

Who doesn't care about reputation?

Besides, Rachel and Steven's divorce had made quite a scene, and the recent incident of Steven swallowing needles in a suicide attempt hadn't completely died down.

These things were bound to become topics of gossip. No one wanted to be gossiped about.

Each woman's weakness was the other's strength.

Most of the people sitting in this living room had dealings with the Chase family. After weighing things in their minds, they unconsciously supported Claire.

They didn't understand why Benjamin would give up a perfectly good former fiancée to fall for a divorced woman.

Was he cursed or something?

Although Claire's side was very lively, with many peers—including Giselle's two daughters and other relatives' daughters—gathered around talking, Rachel's side wasn't quiet either. Jessica was chatting with her and several older elders, with Betty there to lighten the mood.

The vibes on both sides were distinct, but it didn't make the atmosphere awkward.

Rachel naturally picked up on some clues from certain people's expressions and behavior. She glanced lightly at Claire, who was surrounded by girls her age, laughing and chatting.

There was this feeling that Claire was deliberately making things difficult for her, and competing with her.

She was competing on every front—showing off how close she was to the Wrights, how well she knew the family, making it crystal clear that she fit right in with their inner circle while Rachel was stuck on the outside looking in.

She wanted to make Rachel uncomfortable, and then make her upset.

Rachel's intuition wasn't prejudice.

Claire's tactic was actually quite hard to detect because she acted very naturally. Outsiders wouldn't think anything of it.

Plus, the Chase family's attitude was generous and open. Though the relationships seemed awkward, the scene was quite harmonious—at least there was no tense atmosphere.

Rachel pulled at the corner of her mouth.

In her view, these were all dirty tactics.

What good was Claire being calculating?