Katniss took a few steps back, dodging ra, and checked out the folks standing behind her.


    Everyone from the Manners family was there, except for her.


    ra was rocking a camel coat today, a limited edition that cost a small fortune, and her perfume was some fancy brand.


    Katniss''s eyesnded on the ruby brooch on ra''s dress. It used to be Elodie''s favorite piece of jewelry, something she cherished for years.


    Once, Katniss identally knocked it to the ground, and Elodie lost it, beating her up pretty bad.


    She even got punished with no food for a day.


    A servant felt sorry for her and snuck her some bread and soup that night.


    But the next morning, Katniss had a high fever, and it wasn''t until her teacher called about her missing all her morning sses that anyone noticed.


    Elodie, fuming, kicked open her door, saw her still in bed, and thought she was just beingzy and skipping school. She yanked off the covers, threw it to the ground, stomped on her with high heels, and cursed her out. It wasn''t until she dragged her out of bed that she realized something was wrong. She touched Katniss''s forehead and found it burning hot.


    She quickly called a doctor to the house.


    Since that day of hunger and high fever, Katniss''s stomach had been weak. Even her favorite foods could make her nauseous if she ate too much.


    Seeing the ruby brooch brought back a flood of memories for Katniss, a stark contrast to now. The brooch she once got punished for touching was now a birthday gift from Elodie to ra.


    In a moment of distraction, Katniss''s bright face turned cold again.


    Katniss sneered, "Don''t I have a birthday too? Why should I celebrate yours? And don''t touch me, your perfume is making me sick. Be careful, or I might throw up on you."


    Katniss couldn''t understand why she had to run into these unpleasant people every day!


    ra''s face fell, and she looked helplessly at the people behind her, biting her lip as she apologized, "Katniss, I''m sorry, I didn''t mean it that way."


    She exined, "I was just happy to see you. We share the same birthday, and of course, I remember yours. We even got you a gift."


    Simon, hearing this, angrily pulled ra over, "Why are you apologizing! Is it our fault for not celebrating her birthday? She''s the one who wanted to cut ties. Do we have to beg her?"


    Katniss curled her lips into a sudden smile, "Of course, you should apologize. Without my withdrawal, do you think you could be engaged to Desmond? Could you be the only daughter of the Manners family?" "You''ve taken everything. It is indeed your fault, and I never said I didn''t me you." Katniss sneered.


    Back then, the marriage arrangement Carlton and Grandpa Ezekiel made was for her, who hadn''t even been born yet.


    ra''s expression froze, and she trembled violently.


    Sensing ra''s stiff body, Desmond reached out to hold her, "Don''t go too far, Katniss."


    Katniss slowly shifted her gaze to Desmond''s face, her cold eyes staring at him for a moment, "Do you think you''re any better?"


    Desmond''s face immediately darkened, and he had no way to counter the aggressive Katniss.


    The spot on his face where Katniss had just pped him still stung.


    Katniss''s expression stayed cool as she walked past them and left.


    A few steps away, Oliver was fuming. Katniss was totally out of control, publicly insulting her sister and brother-inw. What a disgraceful daughter!


    His eyes darted around andnded on the gift box in Nathan''s hand. He snatched it and hurled it at Katniss''s back.


    Out of nowhere, a ck figure appeared, blocking Katniss and catching the thrown gift box with an iron-like arm. Everyone gasped.


    Sensing themotion, Katniss spun around to see Conrad Wall standing behind her, holding a deformed gift box.


    Conrad Wall was one of the two bodyguards who had stayed with her in the hospital. The other was Uriah Wall, who had gone to handle other matters. Conrad turned sideways, warily watching everyone, ready to act.


    His eagle-like eyes swept over everyone, clearly warning them that if they dared to make another move, he wouldn''t be polite.


    Katniss stood still, her eyes dark as she looked at the furious Oliver, "Do you think I''ll let you hit me again?"


    Oliver''s eyes flickered, and he said nothing, his face dark.


    The next second, Katniss took the deformed gift box from Conrad''s hand and threw it forcefully to the ground. The lid scattered, and the gift inside fell out.


    It was a plum blossom crystal ne, just like the one around ra''s neck. The plum blossom was carved delicately, like a snow plum blooming proudly in the icy cold. It was very beautiful and petite.


    But now, the plum blossom ne that had been thrown out was shattered, the pendant broken into pieces.


    ra covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide with shock. "Katniss, that was a birthday gift Nathan prepared for you."


    ra''s tone was full of regret and astonishment.


    Nathan''s already pale lips trembled as he stared nkly at the ne on the ground.


    Elodie, heartbroken by Nathan''s ruined effort, angrily scolded, "Katniss, what did your brother ever do to you to deserve this? You''re heartless!"


    Katnissughed, her slender neck slightly raised, "My gift is always the same as ra''s, sometimes even forgotten. You call this a carefully prepared gift? When will you stop deceiving yourselves? It''s disgusting." Then, Katniss turned gracefully to face Nathan, speaking calmly, "Nathan, I hate plum blossoms the most. Didn''t you know? I''m allergic to them. When I was three, I almost died from this."


    With that, Katniss stepped over the broken plum blossom ne and walked away.


    Nathan slowly came to his senses, looking at Elodie''s angry face, and pressed his lips tightly together.


    He remembered that ra liked plum blossoms and bought a pair as birthday gifts, thinking that if the sisters wore the same, it wouldn''t show favoritism.


    He really didn''t know that Katniss was allergic to plum blossoms and had almost lost her life because of it.


    Nathan felt a sudden realization. He had bought what ra liked, never considering whether Katniss would like it.


    Nathan rubbed his temples in frustration.


    "Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to see a doctor?" Elodie asked nervously.


    Facing Elodie''s worried expression, Nathan asked, "Mom, did you not know that Katniss is allergic to plum blossoms?"