Phoebe was immediately panic-stricken.
Rather than standing up, she prostrated herself on the floor: "Auntie, I was wrong. In truth, I only wanted to hug Mateo, but he would not let me get close to him. In the heat of the moment, I grabbed him. Mateo struggled, but I insisted on holding him. In the end, not only did I pinch Mateo's arm red, but I also broke my own nails. I've brought this upon myself... I was too presumptuous..."
She was practically bawling."
Lady Clegg sighed and looked at Phoebe. "The person you should apologize to isn't me, it's Mateo."
Patting Mateo lovingly, she said, "If Mateo's willing to forgive you, we won't hold any grudge."
Hearing this, Phoebe gritted her teeth in order to stay in the Clegg house.
She lowered her head to Mateo and feigned remorse: "Mateo, my dear, would you... are you willing to forgive your auntie? Your auntie really likes you and wants to be friends with you. Your auntie... your auntie won't force you into her arms anymore."
