Claire listened to her, then offered a small, polite smile and nodded. “Okay, I get it. So what you’re saying, Mrs. Grayson, is that any girl with this scar is your adopted daughter Claire?”
Lucy opened her mouth to answer, but Claire jumped in before she could get a word out, raising her voice so everyone could hear. “Mrs. Grayson, you really are something. You’re going to claim your daughter just because of a similar scar? If you keep going, you’ll probably say I’m your daughter just because I have long hair, too. If that’s your logic, maybe you should see a doctor. I think you miss your daughter so much that you’re starting to lose it.”
Whispers rippled through the guests. A few people exchanged looks, barely hiding their amusement.
“Seriously, scars on your arm are so common. I’ve got one, too. Does that mean I’m her daughter, as well?” someone joked quietly.
“And didn’t Claire die years ago? The press covered it back then. How could a girl who’s been dead for over a decade suddenly show up as Ms. Ballard? That’s just ridiculous.”
Lucy looked around and realized nobody believed her. She suddenly felt like she’d walked right into Claire’s trap. Trying to salvage things, she pressed on.
“It wasn’t just the scar,” Lucy said, her voice shaky. “It was the way she reacted when I noticed it. She looked terrified and tried to hide it. She was clearly scared I’d recognize her. That’s what convinced me.”
Claire pressed her lips together, then replied calmly, “No one likes having their scars pointed out. I just reacted like anyone would. I never thought Mrs. Grayson would blow up such a normal reaction into something so dramatic.”
Lucy’s face flushed with anger. “You’re nothing but a liar!”
“I’m just telling the truth,” Claire replied, her tone even.
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