Chapter 236: Lenora Raised an Eyebrow

Lenora raised an eyebrow, finally giving the woman her full attention. "And you are...?"

"From the Holloway family."

"Ah, Mrs. Holloway." A faint smirk played on Lenora's lips. "You seem quite interested in Miriam's and my horse-face skirts. Perhaps you'd like to visit the Bennett estate someday? Our walk-in closets might fascinate you."

Catherine's smile froze.

This wasn't the reaction she'd anticipated.

"Who do you think you are?" Lenora rose with a cold laugh, looking down her nose at the other woman. "Matters between sisters-in-law are none of your concern."

She strode away without another glance.

Catherine's face flushed with alternating shades of humiliation.

Miriam watched the exchange, barely concealing her disdain.

Though she and Lenora often clashed due to their differing personalities, they were still family.

How dare this woman try to drive a wedge between them?

Was she out of her mind?

Lenora settled into a seat directly facing Paige.

The younger woman hunched her shoulders, adopting a pitiful expression. Her eyes brimmed with tears the moment their gazes met.

Lenora detested such artificial white-lotus antics.

Miriam might be spoiled, but at least she was genuine. Women like Paige...

She averted her eyes. Out of sight, out of mind.

"Lenora," Miriam approached, "the lighting here is poor. Shall we move over there?"

Lenora followed without protest.

Perfect. Now those two irritants were out of view.

She shot Miriam an approving glance.

Miriam shook her head in resignation.

Their eldest brother spoiled Lenora rotten, and the entire family indulged her whims. Naturally, Miriam had to play along.

As the attendees assembled, the tea ceremony class began.

A slender figure emerged from the side entrance.

A jade-blue cheongsam embroidered with silver magnolias hugged her curves, the intricate patterns shimmering with each graceful step.

Clara's hair was swept into a simple chignon, her makeup understated yet elegant.

She moved toward the platform with effortless poise, commanding every eye in the room despite her quiet demeanor.

"Have any of you watched the documentary about tea culture?" Her voice flowed like clear spring water. "When a single leaf fell into water, it transformed its essence—thus tea was born."

"Tea crossed continents and centuries before becoming part of everyday life here."

"What began as medicine and ceremony eventually became part of ordinary hospitality..."

"Edmund Vale's 'The Classic of Tea' gave that tradition a written form... The spirit of tea entered poetry, painting, medicine, and daily ritual..."

Clara spoke with measured elegance, her words unfolding like the delicate unfurling of tea leaves in warm water.