Chapter 11
The commotion in the hall pulled every eye toward the staircase. The family hurried up, tense and on edge.
“My trophy Olivia rushed to the mess, hugging her trophy tightly. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
“Charlotte, what are you doing?” Steven’s voice was stiff, his face drained of color as he stood frozen in shock.
“Cleaning up,” Charlotte replied coolly. She barely glanced Steven’s way, then let her grip loosen. Several certificates slipped from her hand, landing in the trash with a soft thud.
Olivia’s expression twisted. She was just about to protest, but Elizabeth held her back.
Elizabeth’s smile was as gentle as ever. “Olivia, since Charlotte wants this room, we’ll let her have it.”
Let her? Charlotte’s lips curled with a sneer. She nudged the trophy and her bag out of the way with her foot, tilting her pretty face upward. Her gaze was lazy, almost playful, as she looked at Olivia and her mother. “Since when do my things need someone else’s permission?”
The room fell silent. No one could believe it. Charlotte, who used to be so soft and timid, suddenly seemed like a completely different person. Did she grow a backbone in the countryside?
People always said rust never turns to gold. Maybe they were right.
Olivia and her mother were left speechless, their faces pale and flushed at the same time.
Everyone knew Olivia was talented, refined, the darling of Cabinda’s elite. She played piano, painted, and carried herself with perfect grace. People loved her, envied her.
Charlotte, though… She was just the scandal. She’d had a breakdown, tried to seduce a man, then nearly stabbed him when things went wrong. Her name was mud.
Compared to Olivia, she didn’t even deserve to shine her shoes.
It was only a room. Did Olivia really care?
Elizabeth swallowed her anger, her soft smile never faltering. “Do as Charlotte says.”
Olivia’s hands tightened around the trophy. Her glare at Charlotte was icy, but she kept her mouth shut.
“Charlotte, watch your tone.”
Steven’s voice was low, his eyes
dark as he looked at her. He couldn’t ignore the hurt on his wife and daughter’s faces. This was hier stepmother and stepsister after all.
He’d hoped she would have changed, maybe grown up a little. But now, she seemed even more impossible than before.
The house had finally been peaceful for a few years, and now she was back,
bringing chaos. Did she have it out for the Main family?
Charlotte raised her eyebrow, a sly smile playing on her lips. “What, you want me to start throwing punches?”
Steven’s face flickered. “You
A memory flashed through his mind.
Charlotte, just thirteen, plunging a knife into into amar’s thigh. He’d nev thought his quiet daughter cou something so violent.
do
Seeing Steven glare at her, Charlotte just arched a brow, her voice light. “What, are
you thinking of sending me back to the countryside for another five years?”
Steven’s eyes clouded with guilt. He lowered his voice. “I know it’s been hard for you, but it was for your own good
Her own good? All those years of pain, humiliation, loneliness… That was supposed to help her?
Before Steven could say more, Charlotte had already turned and slipped into the room, closing the door behind her.
Steven let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his forehead. “How can she be so ungrateful?”
Elizabeth rested a hand on his
shoulder, her voice soft and
soothing “Don’t take it to heart.
She’s had a tough time
and she’s
been alone for so many years. She’ll
come around if we’re patient with
her. We’ll give her space.”
Steven gave her a grateful look, then glanced at Olivia with a sigh. “If she were even
half as well behaved as Olivia, I’d count my blessings.”
Olivia lowered her head, looking every bit the perfect daughter. But as she stared at the mess on the floor, a cold glint flickered in her eyes.
Charlotte, what an idiot.