Chapter 324 The Children Stand Up for Kelly
“Mommy…Shane called out nervously. His voice was soft, tinged with fear and a hint of tears.
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Clarisa smiled cheerfully and walked over, placing a gift in front of Shane. “Shane, Mommy came to see
you.
Kelly felt a sharp pang of sorrow; it was agonizing to see the child in such a state.
“He was still so young, completely unaware that he had already become a pawn in the power struzzles
between adults.
Shane gripped Jasper’s hand tightly, looking helplessly between Clarissa and Kelly.
“Mommy…” Shane spoke again, choking up as he looked toward Kelly.
The “Mommy” he called for was Kelly.
Kelly felt a sharp pain in her chest. She stepped forward quickly, wanting to hold Shane, but Clarissa beat her to it and scooped the child into her arms.
Shane clearly resisted, unwilling to let go of Jasper.
Ignoring the potential for Jasper’s injury, Clarissa roughly pulled Shane up, causing Jasper to fall to the floor.
Jasper lay on the ground, looking utterly aggrieved as he reached out his hands for Shane.
Shane looked back at Jasper in worry, his body tensing with resistance in Clarissa’s arms. “Jasper..
“Shane, did you miss Mommy?” Clarissa asked him with a smile.
Shane didn’t answer, lowering his head in silent distress, his eyes reddening.
“Do you know how difficult it was for Mommy to give birth to you?” Clarissa said, still clinging to the narrative she had long drilled into him–that he owed her.
In truth, she’d been spinning that string for years, turning Shane into a puppet. A marionette that would only listen to her.
Kelly was growing angry. Her patience had limits.
She clenched her hands tightly, watching Clarissa and Shane with restrained fury.
Clarissa affectionately kissed Shane on the forehead and carried him off to the side. “Why does our Shane look so skinny? Has she been treating you badly? Tell Mommy, I’ll speak to Grandpa about it.”
Shane remained silent, saying nothing.
“Mr. Wade, look at how thin Shane is–he looks like he’s been through a lot. Kelly must be starving him, or picking on him while pampering her own children,” Regina said with a dramatic eye–roll, deliberately sowing discord.
Wade turned angrily to Kelly. “A child’s birthday is a big deal, and this is all you did? Just a few people, and nothing prepared? Do you not remember the kind of parties we used to throw for Shane?”
When Kelly and Zev weren’t around, Wade had spoiled Shane endlessly. His birthday parties used to involve
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Chapter 324 The Cisidren Stand Up for Kelly
inviting every prominent figure in Seaville.
But this year. Kelly and Zev made things seem so shabby.
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Wade wasn’t irritated by the simplicity itself, but by the way it pricked his conscience.
The truth was, Shane’s existence was a mistake, his mistake, and Shanesn’t part of the Lockhart family.
He felt guilty.
“Grandpa, you were the one who insisted I give birth to Shane. Shouldn’t you take responsibility for him? Blood ties aren’t everything–family and love matter more, don’t they?” Clarissa took the opportunity to throw blame at Kelly. “Our Shane even has bruises–where did those come from? Kelly, are you abusing him?”
Kelly frowned deeply, furious at the baseless accusation.
“You’re spouting nonsense! Are you insane? Get out!” Zev snapped, telling Clarissa to leave.
“Oh, so you’re defending her? Just because Shane isn’t your biological son? Zev, look at what you’ve done— look how scared Shane is!” Clarissa said, gazing down at the trembling boy in her arms.
Even though it was she who had scared Shane.
She would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.
“Mommy… Shane cried, calling out for both Kelly and Zev. “Daddy…”
Zev stepped forward, wanting to take Shane, but Regina blocked his way.
Regina turned to Eric angrily. “Why are you just standing there? Stop him!”
Eric shrugged. Like he could actually stop Zev …
“Zion, I gave birth to this child. What right do you have to take him from me?” Clarissa backed away with Shane in her arms, clearly unwilling to hand him over.
“You need serious help. You already gave up custody and legally signed him over to us—there’s documentation to prove it. If you keep making a scene, I’ll call the police and have you arrested!” Zev shoved Eric aside effortlessly. Eric posed no threat at all in his eyes.
Eric sighed and, trying to save face, muttered, “He’s just a brute. All brawn, no brain.”
“Shane, tell your father you missed your mommy,” Clarissa urged Shane to speak. As long as Shane said words, Zev wouldn’t be able to argue.
“Say it!” Clarissa snapped impatiently.
How had Shane, who used to listen to me so well, changed so much just from a few days with Kelly?
“Mommy… waaah… Shane burst into tears, reaching out desperately for Kelly.
That was the last straw for Kelly. She had enough. Reasoning with these people was pointless.
Seeing Kelly charging forward to take Shane, Eric quickly tried to stop her.
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Chapter 324 The Children Stand Up for Kelly
He couldn’t stop Zev–but maybe he could stop Kelly.
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“Get out of my way!” Kelly slapped Eric hard across the face, sending him stumbling to the side.
Eric stood there, shocked, clutching his cheek. “Kelly, what are you doing?!”
Regina tried to intervene, but Kelly slapped her too, then grabbed her hair and slammed her into the wall.
Wade was stunned, pointing at Kelly. “How dare you! You’re a madwoman!”
Kelly pointed right back at him. “If it weren’t for your age, I’d hit you too. Just seeing you all makes my mental illness flare up.”
Wade, furious, turned to Zev. “Control your woman! If you were half a man in this house, would she dare talk to me like this?”
Zev shrugged. “I don’t dare…”
Kelly shoved Zev aside too, then took Shane back into her arms and carried him into the living room, gently soothing him. “Don’t be scared, Shane. Go play with your brother and sister.”
Behind the door, Faye and Connor were hiding, too frightened to make a sound.
“Kelly, you lunatic! Is this how you treat children–do you hit them too?!” Regina screamed hysterically.
“No! Aunt Kelly would never hit us!” Faye suddenly lost control, provoked by Regina’s words. She ran out and stood in front of Kelly, shielding her. “You’re not allowed to slander Auntie Kelly!”
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