Immediately following was a burst of laughter.
"She actually ate it, doesn't she think it's dirty?"
"...Isn't it disgusting?"
"Look at her hands, so ugly."
Whether whispering or openly discussing, none of them bothered to avoid her.
Vanessa didn't mind, smiling as she said, "It's very sweet, thank you."
It really was sweet.
The last time she had fruit, it was a rotten apple, bitter and sour, not good at all.
Freda twitched the corner of her mouth, "Delicious? Then eat more."
As she reached out to take a second piece, the fruit platter was suddenly snatched away. Julian's shadow eclipsed her, standing tall and slender before her, noble and untouchable.
Julian threw the entire platter, along with its contents, into the trash can.
The room fell silent instantly, not a sound to be h
