Before Trixie could even step forward, Beatrice immediately hollered for her son.
"Did you hear that, Hunter? Get over here, it's time to eat."
Beatrice had no idea what Karla's actual name was.
She only knew that her daughter called her Karla, so she forcefully instructed her son to do the same, hoping to curry favor.
In her twisted mind, she figured Karla would naturally dote on the boy.
Who wouldn't prefer a son over a daughter, after all?
To her, her precious boy was infinitely more lovable than any girl.
Unfortunately for her, Karla wouldn't spare Hunter so much as a second glance.
Karla had sons of her own; she couldn't care less about someone else's obnoxious brat.
If anything, she wished she had a daughter to spoil.
But now that Claire was safely back with The Churchill Family, Karla didn't need to envy anyone else's girls.
"Karla, what are we having?" Hunter bounded over obediently.
The packaging looked incredibly expensive, and his mouth was already watering.
"None of this is for you. Go find a cafeteria or grab something outside." Karla shut down his snooping instantly.
She pulled the bags out of his reach.
Hearing that he wasn't getting any, Hunter's face darkened. "Are you kidding me? My sister makes you millions, and you won't even give us a bite to eat?"
"She's lying right down the hall, and you're already abusing us?"
"You promised all our expenses would be covered if we came here!"
Karla stared at him like he was completely braindead. "I said I would cover your flights and your hotel."
"I'll submit those receipts to your sister later, but I never agreed to be your personal caterer."
"Besides, do you lack basic observation skills? This is enough for two people. My niece bought this specifically for me and Trixie."
"You get nothing."
Karla drove the point home flawlessly.
Realizing it was a two-person portion, Hunter grew even more indignant. "If you were getting takeout, why didn't you buy more?"
"Since there's only enough for two, my dad and I will eat it. We're starving."
"Tell her to go back and get more."
Hunter jabbed a finger aggressively at Claire.
Claire's expression turned frigid. "I spent my own money on food for my aunt and
her assistant. If you're hungry, buy it yourself!"
Initially, Hunter had thought Claire
was pretty, assuming she'd be meek
and
ant. Hearing her
tane instantly set him off
"We are Zoe's family! Of course we should eat first. You're supposed to be taking care of us!"
"What, are you trying to starve us to death so you can steal my sister's fortune?"
Classic Hunter.
Barely three sentences in, and he was already obsessing over the money again. Claire let out a dry, incredulous laugh.
"I bought this with my own money, and I'll give it to whoever I please."
"If you don't like it, deal with it!"
Dane had rarely seen his girl this fired up.
Claire ushered her aunt toward the lounge to eat.
Hunter watched in agony as they opened the containers, releasing a mouthwatering
aroma into the sterile hallway.
He didn't know where the food was from, but it looked like a five-star meal.
He instinctively looked back. "Mom!"
That single word was all it took. Beatrice knew exactly what her precious boy wanted.
She paused her verbal assault on the director and turned her sights on Karla. Karla, be reasonable. This is Zoe's baby brother You can just let him starve."
"His father and I can skip a meal, but a growing boy needs to eat. You two women couldn't possibly finish all that anyway. Just give Hunter a portion."
"If he starves, it's not our problem. Are you broke? Do you need to go beg on the street?"
Claire didn't even give her aunt a chance to respond before firing back.