Chapter 8 Dinner Rules

"Daddy, I want meat. I want delicious, yummy meat," Mia nestled in Harrison's arms, expressing her desire for a proper dinner.

Harrison didn't hesitate for a second. "If you want meat, sweetheart, just have your mother or the household staff prepare it. It's not a problem."

Mia pouted her little lips and put on a frightened expression, casting a sidelong glance at Mandy.

In that moment, she said nothing, yet somehow communicated everything.

"Never mind, Daddy. I don't need meat. I won't starve without it," she said quietly.

Harrison immediately understood. He lifted his face and looked directly at Mandy.

"Mandy, are you refusing to give Lily meat? Is Frost Industries going bankrupt tomorrow? Can we not afford to feed my daughter a proper meal?"

Mandy tensed instinctively at Harrison's words.

She quickly explained, "Harrison, that's not what I meant. I'm just concerned about Lily's health. She's already fragile, and eating meat in the evening might affect her digestion. What if something goes wrong? Besides, I suggested oatmeal porridge. It's good for her stomach."

Mia pouted again and flatly refused. "I don't want oatmeal porridge. The doctor said I need more protein to grow taller!"

Harrison rarely denied his daughter's requests, especially reasonable ones like this.

His expression darkened. "Lily rarely has an appetite. If she wants some meat, let her have it. A small portion won't cause any problems."

He added, "Of course, if you don't want to prepare it yourself, have the staff do it. There's no reason to deny her."

Harrison carried Mia past Mandy and headed downstairs.

Mandy followed behind them, seething with anger, her teeth clenched so tightly they might break.

How was it possible that after just one hospital visit, Lily seemed like a completely different person? Truly the daughter of that wretched Elena, always finding ways to make her life miserable.

At Harrison's instruction, the dinner table was soon laden with several delicious meat dishes, perfectly prepared and enticing.

Harrison was still upstairs in his study handling documents. As soon as the food was served, Mia's hunger got the better of her. The airplane food had been terrible, and after landing, she'd spent hours with Elena during surgery. By now, her stomach was completely empty.

Living with Elena, who was always busy with her medical practice, meant mealtimes were often irregular. The children were accustomed to eating whenever food was available, after setting aside portions for their mother.

Famished, Mia didn't think twice. She toddled to the dining table, picked up a fork, and reached for a piece of steak.

Before the meat could reach her mouth, Mandy spotted her. Furious, she strode over and slapped Mia's hand without hesitation.

The fork fell from Mia's grasp, and the steak dropped to the floor.

Even then, Mandy wasn't satisfied.

She scolded harshly, "Lily! What do you think you're doing? Have you forgotten the rules of the Frost household? Your father hasn't even come to the table yet, and you're already eating!"

Mandy's expression while reprimanding Mia was vicious, her eyes filled with such hatred that she looked as if she wanted to destroy the child.

Now Mia was absolutely certain, without any need for DNA testing, that Mandy was not Lily's biological mother.

Because no mother would ever look at her own child with such contempt.

Her own mother, Elena, had never once looked at her that way.

The household staff stood quietly at the side during Mandy's tirade, no one daring to intervene.

This scene played out frequently in the mansion. Mandy was Lily's mother and potentially Harrison's future wife—the future lady of the house. The staff wouldn't dare interfere with her methods.

Still, Mandy's harsh treatment of Lily sometimes made even the staff uncomfortable.

Mandy expected that after her scolding, Mia would meekly apologize as Lily always did. She was wrong.

The child before her wasn't Lily, and she wouldn't submit so easily.

As Mandy's reprimand ended, Mia's sharp cry immediately filled the mansion.

In his study, Harrison's brow furrowed deeply.

What was wrong with Mandy? Couldn't she properly care for one child? Why did Lily always end up crying whenever Mandy was around?

Didn't she understand that Lily's fragile health couldn't withstand emotional distress?

Angry, Harrison closed his laptop and went downstairs. As he descended, he saw Mia looking hurt and apologizing to Mandy.

"I'm sorry, Mommy. It was my fault. I shouldn't have been so hungry. I shouldn't have tried to eat the steak. Next time I'll wait until you and Daddy are at the table before eating."

Hearing Mia apologize, Mandy felt vindicated. Some children just needed discipline, didn't they?

What she didn't realize was that Harrison had witnessed the entire scene, and his face had turned cold with anger.

How dare Mandy treat Lily this way, even if she was her biological child?

After all, Lily was Harrison's daughter, the future heir to Frost Industries.

Harrison approached the crying Mia and gathered her into his arms.

"Sweetheart, tell Daddy what happened."

Faced with Harrison's question, Mia said nothing. She clung to his neck, sniffling as her tears and runny nose soaked his collar.

Harrison's heart ached for her. He held her close, trying to comfort her.

"Mandy, what is going on here? Why do you always make Lily cry?"

Harrison directed his anger straight at Mandy.

Mandy felt wronged. She quickly explained, "Harrison, I'm not trying to make her cry. Lily has no manners. You weren't at the table yet, and she just came over and started eating steak by herself. The Frost family has rules. Children don't start eating until the adults are seated. It's a matter of respect! I'm only trying to teach her proper behavior."