"Where's Christina?"
At seven o'clock in the evening, the Hopkins family were chattering and laughing around the dining
table, waiting for the dinner to be served.
Nanny Faang and other maids brought the dishes methodically, which were more sumptuous than
usual, and later put a three-layered cake on the table.
However, everyone's face changed because of Brianna's question.
Today was Brianna's birthday.
Chandler and Charles were also invited.
Senior Mr.Hopkins thought that too many bad things had happened to the Hopkins family recently and
he hadn't even celebrated his eightieth birthday, so today was a good chance to lighten the mood a bit.
Brianna looked around in her seat and found one person missing.She'd hesitated for a long time before
asking that question.
No one knew how to answer her.
Brianna was autistic and simple-minded.
Senior Mr.Hopkins, who was wearing a smart suit especially for today's occasion, took on a gloomy
face due to Brianna's question.
"It doesn't matter."
Judy darted her daughter a glare.
Her demure aura just made her voice colder.
"She'd off-limits in this family."
Brianna flinched a little because of her mother's sharp tone.
She wanted to say something but didn't have the courage.
Like a kid who did something wrong, she lowered her head, looking uneasy and nervous.
"Brianna, Brianna was just asking.I'll talk to her later"
Barbara was on the table too and chimed in with a smile to smooth things over.
"Christina left the house herself that night.She killed the baby of the Hopkins family.We looked after her
so carefully when she was pregnant.Has she done anything for the Hopkins family? A woman like that
doesn't deserve to stay,"
Judy said morosely as if she really abominated Christina.
"No, Christina said she wouldn't leave..."
Brianna snapped her head up abruptly and retorted unthinkingly.
Judy scowled at her with bleak eyes.
"Brianna, what did I say just now?"
Brianna was scared and shut up immediately, lolling her head again.
"Enough.It's Brianna's birthday today"
Senior Mr.Hopkins was partial to his granddaughter and cast Judy a glance.His hoarse voice of
authority lacked a bit of confidence.He wouldn't mention that night as well.
The room quieted down soon and everyone resumed eating.
Barbara stole a glance at Patrick from time to time and found him daintily slicing the steak with a
perfectly fine expression as though he wasn't interested in their conversation at all.
As a guest, Chandler remained silent even if he had something to say, but at the end of the dinner, he
said out of the blue, "Christina got lost this afternoon."
The finally serene atmosphere tensed up again.
"What happened?" Charles asked instantly.
"She's been staying at her friend Crystal's house these days, but Crystal's mother asked her to leave at
noon" Chandler said unhurriedly.
"Patrick, have you heard from her?"
Patrick had finished the steak and put down his knife and fork.He was drinking a glass of water and
looked up at Chandler.
Barbara's face changed and she pursed her lips, trying to say something before he did.
Nanny Faang was waiting on the table and heard their conversations.
She gave Barbara a look with a complicated expression and lowered her head down, realizing that
Barbara wouldn't help Christina.
"Stupid!" Charles turned livid and lost appetite.
He pushed his plate away and cursed angrily, "She's so stupid.She should've insisted staying here."
He lurched to his feet regardless of the table manners and said to Senior Mr.Hopkins, "Sorry, Senior
Mr.Hopkins, I'm gotta go.Enjoy the meal."
The maid behind him immediately pulled his chair back.
Charles turned to Brianna and said quickly, "Happy birthday”
Then he stomped away.
People on the table quietly watched Charles leave, knowing exactly what he was going to do.
Tacitly, none of them brought up Christina again and except for Barbara who peeped at Patrick now
and then, no one seemed to be bothered.
Nanny Faang cut the cake and everyone ate their piece of cake in silence, immersed in different
thoughts.
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