Claire had reached her limit. While Felix was fussing over Madeline, she raised her hand and slapped her across the face.
The sound was sharp and vicious.
"Your fall had nothing to do with me! But *this* slap, you can put this one on my tab!"
"And another thing, good luck charms have a spirit. This one wasn't meant for you. Using it will only bring you bad luck!"
"That's enou—"
Felix tried to stop Claire.
With a backhand, she slapped him, too.
This one was even harder, even louder than the first.
The force of it made Claire's own palm sting.
As Madeline let out a shocked scream, Claire told Felix, "Open your damn eyes and look! *This* is what making a scene looks like!"
"Claire, have I been too easy on you?" Felix asked, his expression icy.
A clear handprint was already forming on his cheek.
"I'm so touched, I can hardly stand it," she retorted sarcastically.
Felix's face turned livid.
But before he could explode, Old Mrs. Quigley's authoritative voice echoed from the doorway. "What is going on here?"
Madeline, terrified of the old woman, immediately shrank back and hid behind Felix.
Felix suppressed his anger and greeted her. "Grandma."
Old Mrs. Quigley's sharp eyes scanned the room. She saw the handprint on Felix's face first, then the matching one on Madeline's.
Finally, her gaze fell on Claire. Seeing her face was unmarked, she let out a sigh of relief.
As long as her precious granddaughter hadn't been hurt, that was all that mattered.
Then, her face stern, she ordered Felix, "You, come outside with me."
When she turned to speak to Claire, her tone softened completely. "My dear girl, help your grandma out."
Felix followed them out, his face grim.

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