Chapter 128: Catherine Holloway Had Always Looked Down on Clara Whitmore

Catherine Holloway had always looked down on Clara Whitmore.

She considered the girl's modest background and average education unworthy of the Holloway family.

Every encounter was met with Catherine's icy demeanor.

Even during holidays, she refused to let Clara step foot in their home.

At first, Clara would secretly cry over the rejection.

Eventually, she learned to accept it.

If the woman despised her, she'd simply keep her distance.

Grant Holloway remained passive in their feud.

He never mediated nor acknowledged their conflicts.

The two women's silent war continued unchecked.

Clara never burdened him with impossible choices.

She never asked whom he'd spend holidays with.

Now she realized—her sacrifices had been meaningless.

Men never appreciated such gestures.

They only took them for granted.

"Just missed my parents, so I booked a ticket home," Clara said lightly.

Sloane Bennett understood the courage this trip required.

"How are your parents? Send them my regards."

"They're well. They actually mentioned you at dinner."

The Whitmores had known Sloane was Clara's closest friend since college.

Every holiday, they'd send hometown specialties through Clara.

"How long are you staying?" Sloane asked.

"A while. It's been too long."

Clara's voice carried rare lightness.

Sloane suddenly laughed.

"Wait till you hear this."

"What?"

"You haven't seen?" Sloane remembered her friend had blocked Grant.

"Paige Lawson posted designer gifts from Grant, complete with hand-holding photos."

She scrolled her screen.

"Mason Reed commented that Grant was just at Morning Star—how'd he get home so fast? The comment section is pure cringe."

"Pathetic. Bragging over a bag." Sloane scoffed.

"Remember when Grant bought you anything you wanted—"

The real kicker came two minutes later.

Grant's own post showed a bedside table with their Beihai photo behind a wineglass.

The caption read:

"Drunk. Miss her."

"Serves him right! Hope he drinks himself to death!" Sloane caught herself when Clara went silent.

"Enough gloom. It's the holidays."