the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart

Chapter 306: Ignatius Leclair held back and didn’t push her away in front of everyone

The side hall was mostly filled with young heirs to prominent families—some aligned with the Leclair Family, others with the Cloud Family, and still others admiring Leah Squire. The room was in chaos due to the injuries of Bessie Leclair and Melody Cloud.

Leah stared coldly at Ignatius Leclair as he dressed Melody’s wound. If not for Delphine’s reputation, she might have erupted on the spot. That sanctimonious bastard.

Leah squinted angrily, then happened to notice Delphine standing on the staircase, and her expression instantly brightened.

Apart from Leah, Melody was also keeping a close eye on the staircase. Seeing Delphine, she immediately frowned slightly and withdrew her hand.

"Does it hurt a lot?" Ignatius asked with restrained patience, his deep voice calm and steady. His sharp brows furrowed, his expression dark and brooding. Given that this had happened at the Leclair Estate, whether to honor his mother’s wishes or fulfill his role as host, he couldn’t stand idly by.

Melody shifted slightly closer to him, catching the faint, crisp scent of pinewood from him, her thoughts briefly unsettled. She spoke softly, her voice fragile: "It hurts a bit, but I can bear it."

"Let’s deal with it for now. Later, I’ll have Maximilian take you to the hospital," Ignatius said.

Melody hesitated, then timidly reached out to clutch his sleeve. Resolutely, she said, "I can go on my own."

Ignatius lowered his gaze to her hand gripping his sleeve, his phoenix-like eyes narrowing slightly. He restrained himself from pushing her away publicly, stood up, and stepped aside to create some distance. Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of Delphine standing on the staircase.

The man’s unreadable, handsome face shifted slightly, betraying a fleeting moment of panic. His expression then grew deeper, his eyes narrowing to conceal his swirling emotions.

Delphine descended the stairs, her face pale due to stomach pain, devoid of any color. Her slender figure was wrapped in a loose, oversized sweater that emphasized her stark simplicity. In contrast to the ornately dressed heirs in the side hall, she stood out in striking incongruity.

"Why is your face so pale?" Leah approached her, grasping her hand. He noticed how cold her fingers were and, his elegant but frigid face showing a trace of anger, said, "Did my brother upset you? He looks off; right now, he’s in the hall stirring up trouble with everyone."

Griffith Squire’s temperament was famously unpredictable. When he was normal, he resembled a refined and cultured gentleman. But when he wasn’t, he transformed into a devil, devising all sorts of ways to torment people—a lingering affliction from his years of tumultuous survival in the Golden Triangle.

Yet, ever since leaving the Golden Triangle, Griffith had regained some semblance of normalcy. His sudden ill behavior worried Leah, prompting him to search for Delphine—only to stumble upon this inexplicable mess.

"It’s just stomach pain. It’s nothing serious," Delphine replied with a shake of her head. Her gaze flickered coldly as she noticed everyone watching her and whispering. Lowering her voice, she asked, "What happened? Why did you hurt Bessie and Melody?"

At the mention of this, Leah bristled, casting a sidelong glance at Ignatius and sneering. "I was minding my own business, walking my own path, and somehow that precious darling of Leclair decided to stir up who-knows-what kind of trouble and got herself hit. Now they’re trying to pin it on me. Then your Leclair Fourth Miss wanted to attack me—anyone would think you all joined forces against me."

Leah’s fiery temper couldn’t stand for unfair treatment, and his scathing sarcasm left everyone in the side hall visibly awkward. Even Ignatius’s expression soured noticeably.

"Miss Squire, this matter hasn’t been thoroughly investigated yet. If it has nothing to do with you, you won’t be troubled over it," Ignatius said coldly. His gaze, however, was fixed on Delphine, his mind racing through several convoluted thoughts in an instant.

Why had Delphine suddenly come downstairs, and headed straight for Leah? Ignatius’s phoenix-like eyes darkened as he guessed the underlying reasons. A hint of anger flickered in his gaze.