When Serena returned to the private room, Sebastian noticed the fierce glint in her eyes hadn’t yet faded.
Thus, he raised his eyebrows and asked, “What happened?” He wondered who had provoked her.
However, Serena didn’t reply to him. Instead, she forced a smile and said, “Uncle Sebastian, I’m sorry I can’t keep you company anymore. Something came up at home, and I need to get back.”
Seeing her dark expression, Sebastian nodded and said, “Alright. Do you want me to give you a ride?”
“It’s fine. I drove here myself. Enjoy your meal, Uncle Sebastian. I’ll be heading out first,” said Serena.
Sebastian didn’t have the time to correct the way she addressed him. He simply glanced at the bowl of porridge he had just served for her and smiled as if nothing were amiss.
What a waste of such good food.
…
After several years away, Judith returned to the villa. She narrowed her eyes slightly.
“Mom, your room is still on the first floor. It’ll be easy for you to go outside and get some sun during the day. The servants live next door, so you can call for them if anything happens at night,” Yvonne said, thinking herself considerate.
Hearing her words, Judith smiled and said, “You’ve worked hard, Yvonne. Where is Rena’s room? I’d like to take a look at her room.”
After Serena caused a scene last time, all the clutter in her room had been thrown out, and a separate password lock had been installed. Even Yvonne couldn’t get in.
“Rena doesn’t like people going into her room. Why don’t we wait until she comes back, and then she can take you to see it?” Yvonne replied.
Judith didn’t press further. She simply waved her hand lightly and said, “Alright, you go upstairs. I’m going to take a rest first.”
By the time Serena returned home, it was already 10 p.m., and Sherry was still awake.
“Is Grandma back?”
Sherry nodded lightly and said, “She came back this evening. She’s already gone to bed.”
Serena felt both furious and resentful. Judith was already seventy years old, yet they made her travel back from the nursing home late at night. Donald was just using Judith to control her, without any regard for the elderly woman’s health.
As she thought about it, her chest ached with anger. “Where’s Dad? Has he gone to sleep yet?”
Sherry replied, “He had just gotten back, so he probably hasn’t gone to bed yet.”
Seeing the anger burning in Serena’s eyes, Sherry was afraid she might cause trouble in the middle of the night. Hence, she said, “Why don’t we talk about it tomorrow, Ms. Steele?”
Serena’s expression shifted several times before she finally said, “Alright.” Tomorrow morning, she would settle both old and new scores with them.
Serena slept poorly that night. At six the next morning, she got up. After sending a message to her supervisor to ask for leave, she went to the kitchen, picked up a bucket of water, and carried it upstairs.
Looking at her actions, Sherry was stunned. “Ms. Steele, what are you doing?”
“Is Grandma awake?”
Sherry said sheepishly, “Yes. She’s taking her medicine.”
Serena nodded and said, “I’ll go see Grandma.”
Judith had only just gotten up when she saw her granddaughter’s face.
“Rena, did you come back last night?”
Serena’s eyes reddened when she saw Judith. “Grandma, did he force you to come back?”
Judith felt a pang of sympathy. She pulled Serena to sit beside her and said, “He didn’t force me into anything, Rena. I came back on my own. Your father isn’t that ungrateful-he’s just too snobbish. I’ve been feeling well these past few years, so coming back isn’t a bad idea. Besides, the costs there are high. Paying the fees with your salary would be hard, and I didn’t want you to be too tired. Oh, didn’t you say you don’t want to get married anymore? I support you. I absolutely won’t be a burden.”
Judith couldn’t criticize her son in front of her granddaughter. She needed to leave some room for reconciliation between father and daughter. At her age, it didn’t matter where she lived. Even if she stayed at the villa, Donald wouldn’t mistreat her.
Hearing this, Serena felt like crying.
“Grandma, I can’t look past this matter. No matter what happens later, promise me you won’t come upstairs, alright? I’ve grown up. I’m no longer the obedient daughter he can manipulate anymore!”
Judith wanted to stop her, but she knew she couldn’t. Then, she sighed softly and thought that she would let Serena do as she pleased as long as she wasn’t being bullied. No matter what happened, Judith decided to back Serena up.
…
Serena wiped away her tears and walked toward her father and stepmother’s bedroom.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Donald had only returned past midnight the night before. It felt like he had just closed his eyes before he was jolted awake.
“Who is it?!” he snapped irritably as he turned over.
Yvonne was also gradually waking up. She wondered who had the nerve to disturb them so early in the morning.
With a displeased expression, Yvonne opened the door. Before she could curse aloud, a bucket of water was dumped straight over her head.
“Ah!” She screamed sharply.
Only when she wiped the water from her eyes did she see who was standing outside the door.
“Serena, have you lost your mind?!”
Serena scoffed. With the remaining half-bucket of water, she turned and splashed it straight onto the bed-right onto Donald’s back as he faced away from her.
“I’m not crazy. You are! I already said I’d pay for Grandma’s nursing home expenses. Why did you bring her back without telling me? Is this a threat?”
As the icy water drenched Donald, he shot upright, staring in disbelief at the person who had done this-his own daughter.
Then, his face turned red with rage. “Serena! Do you have any idea what you’re doing?!”
Serena lifted her chin stubbornly and retorted, “I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m trying to get you fools back to your senses!”
Hearing her words, Donald sprang to his feet. Anger clouded his mind as he strode toward her and raised his hand, going to hit her.
At that moment, no one expected Serena to suddenly grab the porcelain vase beside her and lift it high.
“Try hitting me,” she said coldly. “And your favorite vase will be gone.”
Donald stared at the antique he cherished most and was infuriated. “What exactly do you want? If you dare to smash that vase, I’ll kick you out of the Steele family!”
Serena smiled and said disdainfully, “Is that so? Hurry up and sever the family ties then. Otherwise, I’ll despise you for it.” As soon as she finished speaking, she hurled the vase at Donald’s feet.
The shattering sound made Donald’s heart nearly stop.
“You! Fine! You really are spoiled!”
Serena smiled casually and said, “Is this inkstone also one of your favorites?”
Donald clutched his chest and said, “Don’t…” Before he could finish his words, the inkstone was flung hard to the floor at Yvonne’s feet.
“Let me tell you guys. I’m taking Grandma away today. If you dare to stop me, I’ll break every antique you own in this house.” Then, she chuckled. “Don’t call me ungrateful for doing this when you were the ones who were being ungrateful first. I’m just following your example.”
Donald stared at the shards scattered across the floor, not even noticing his soaked clothes still dripping water.
“She’s gone crazy…” Yvonne muttered in disbelief. “Donald, your daughter is insane. Did you see her eyes just now? It was like she wanted to eat us alive! This can’t go on. Serena can’t come back again, and that old woman must be sent away too. What if she holds a knife next time?”
Yvonne was genuinely terrified. That merciless look in Serena’s eyes had chilled her to the bone.
Donald’s face was mixed with anger and fear. Outside the room, several servants stood frozen as they stared at the chaos, which made Donald even more furious.
“What are you all standing there for?!” Donald roared. “Get in here and clean this up!”
…
On the other hand, Serena went downstairs calmly and had breakfast with Judith.
Judith had heard the loud crashing upstairs earlier but hadn’t gone up to look. She merely asked a servant, “Did Rena win the argument?”
Sherry was speechless as she said, “I think she did.”
Only then did Judith relax and eat her breakfast as if nothing had happened.
When Donald and Yvonne came downstairs, there was a trace of wariness in their eyes as they looked at Serena.
“Mom! Serena is afraid of you the most. Aren’t you going to discipline her?!” Donald barked. If not for the fact that she was still set to marry into the Levine family in a few days, he would have slapped her in the face!
Judith calmly took a sip of the porridge and replied, “I can’t even control my own son. How could I control my granddaughter?”
Her words left Donald speechless.
Yvonne kept signaling her husband with her eyes. Seeing that he wouldn’t speak, she took it upon herself.
“Mom, Donald and I had discussed it all night, and we still think the nursing home is more suitable for you. Why don’t we send you back this afternoon?”
Hearing her words, Serena curled her lips in satisfaction.
As expected. Only others will listen to you when you go mad.
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