Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 398

After hanging out in the sticks for a couple of days, Agnes made her way back to the hustle and bustle of the city.

A new year was just around the corner.

The whole city was buzzing with festive vibes.

On Christmas Eve, Agnes had promised to spend the holiday with the Whitfield family.

Preston had asked Agnes to come home for dinner the day before Christmas Eve.

It was the first time Agnes had seen Beatrice since she had been sprung from the slammer.

Beatrice's gaze held clear resentment when she looked at Agnes, even more pronounced than before. Though she'd managed to keep her feelings in check, she didn't address Agnes and instead retreated to her room.

Dinner was palpably tense. Aside from some sporadic business chatter between Jared Whitfield and Preston, silence dominated the room. Agnes would've preferred any fate over being there, if not for Preston's insistence.

Deep inside, Agnes recognized the fractured state of their household. Preston was trying to mend relationships, hoping that dinner would be an opportunity for Beatrice to apologize. Yet, Beatrice's actions spoke louder than words. She purposefully spilled wine on Agnes, mockingly saying, "Agnes, I'm sorry, I'm just clumsy. Hope you understand."

Preston's patience snapped. Slamming his hand on the table, he exclaimed, "Beatrice, if not for Agnes's grace, you'd be in jail now. How can you act this way? Don't you ever self-reflect?"

Beatrice pissed off, tossed the cutlery, "Dad, if it wasn't for her, would I be doing time? My reputation is ruined, and I can't survive in showbiz, can't even go to school. It’s all because of her. And you talk about her tolerance, does she have to put me six feet under to be considered ruthless?"

Beatrice was at a loss for words. But the disapproving looks from everyone around her made her retreat, shielding her face, heading upstairs.

Throughout the ordeal, Jared remained stoically impassive.

Laura, her guilt evident, sighed, "This child is so lost. I'll go talk to her. Please continue with your meal."

She followed Beatrice upstairs, only to find the room in chaos. Breakable items lay shattered all around.

With a stern voice, Laura admonished, "How foolish can you be? Didn't I make it clear? Stay calm and apologize to Agnes. What were you thinking downstairs? If you upset Jared again, the consequences could be dire. Hasn't your time behind bars taught you anything?"