Chapter 55

Claire's POV Without waiting for Mrs. Winter to continue her interrogation, I stepped forward. "Mrs. Winter, do you have any other questions? You can ask everything at once, and I'll answer each one." My words might have made her angry. Mrs. Winter slammed her cup onto the table. "Do you know who you're talking to?" she snapped, eyes flashing dangerously. "I'm your elder. You're being incredibly disrespectful!" I took a deep breath. Okay, so she wanted to play hardball. Fine. I'd spent my entire life dealing with difficult people, including my dad's new wife who treated me like garbage. This wasn't anything new. "Mrs. Winter, you just called yourself my elder," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "Does that mean you actually accept me as your daughter-in-law?" "You..." She stared at me. To my surprise, Lucius was actually smiling. I didn't know what he found so amusing about watching his mother and wife face off, but there was definite amusement in his eyes. Mrs. Winter's gaze snapped