William returned Jonathan's cold gaze.
The air in the room turned heavy. Silent but tense.
As if the argument was still hanging between them, even without words.
"Can we stop now?" Melinda said, her lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced at Thalia.
"Thalia looks shocked." Her expression softened slightly. "I'm sorry you have to see this on your second day in our family."
Thalia waved her hands lightly. "It's okay… I understand."
"What do you understand?" William's voice cut in.
Cold as he looked at her directly.
"I—I mean…" Thalia gulped, clearly caught off guard by the sudden question.
Her fingers curled slightly on her lap.
"I mean… every family has their own way of communicating," she said carefully. "It's just… a bit louder than what I'm used to."
A small, polite smile formed on her lips.
"But it's normal, right?"
"Does this look normal to you?" William sneered.
His gaze hardened, "What is normal to you?"
He leaned back slightly, his tone turning sharper.
