I am prepared for another icy dismissal, but Amelia surprises me. "I would love to try the cupcakes," she says, her tone surprisingly neutral.
I smile. "Okay." I am actually surprised that Amelia's attitude is pretty okay towards me, despite my atrocious behavior.
As I'm walking toward the side table to get some cupcakes for Amelia, Mia suddenly stands in front of me, blocking my way.
"You think you have won, bitch?" she hisses, her voice low and furious. "Vega will discard you as soon as he establishes his power as the new Chairman."
I ignore her, internally saying, Tell me something I don't know. When the time comes, I will happily bounce away with a debt-free gym.
Mia snatches the plate right out of my hand. "That title will be gone! We'll see then who will protect you. Oh, and Vega doesn't love you. Rumor has it that there is a white moonlight, or as I coin her, a bitch, he can't forget from the past. He is just using you."
I pick up another plate and continue to ignore Mia, focusing on selecting the perfect cupcake for Amelia. I will not give this little wasp any more attention.
Suddenly, Mia cries out. I turn just in time to see her put down a glass, her expensive dress now splashed with a clear, pale drink. Her face instantly turns teary.
"Tyr, did you have to go this far?" she whimpers. "I know I upset you, and I said I'm sorry! This is a half a million dollar dress!"
My heart breaks, not from the accusation, but from the price tag. Half a million, for that, really? Riley rushes over, her face nearly in tears, too.
"Oh my God, Tyr, you are a fucking monster!" Riley wails.
I sneer. Since she wants to act out this play with me, why not make it real?
I pick up a glass and this time, it holds red grape juice, a stark contrast to the pale liquid Mia splashed on herself. I splash it directly on her. Mia is taken aback, and so is everyone else at the table.
I grab another glass. Splash!
I take a third, and this time, I splash the juice right into Mia's face.
I'm about to reach for a fourth glass when Evelyn stops me, grabbing my arm, trying to calm me down.
"I didn't know a young woman from such a prestigious family would stoop so low and want to be a man's mistress," I announce, my voice cutting through the stunned silence. "How shameless!"
Everyone is dumbfounded except for Amelia, who remains terrifyingly calm at the head of the table. Mia is so humiliated that she completely forgets her sad act and goes full feral.
"You bitch!" she screams, and pounces. Her claws are stretching out, looking like she genuinely intends to kill me.
I find it strangely amusing. Mia is clawing at the air, entirely out of control. I easily dodge her attack while the other women, now horrified by the genuine violence, grab hold of Mia and physically restrain her.
Amelia, who has seen enough, stands up. She doesn't raise her voice, but the single word she utters is like a thunderclap. "Enough."
The women instantly quell in fear.
Amelia's voice is sharp and cold. "Get out."
I immediately grab my purse, thinking, You don't have to tell me twice, I am out. But then Amelia's gaze lands on me.
"Not you."
I instantly deflate like a balloon out of helium.
The others quickly grab their belongings and leave, grumbling furiously. Mia mutters a threat at me as she's hauled toward the door. "Just you wait."
Amelia picks up the porcelain teacup, the expensive, delicate one, and throws it at Mia. It shatters at Mia's feet with a loud, violent crack. Mia is so frightened that her knees tremble.
"Who are you threatening?" Amelia asks, her voice deadly quiet. "Remember your place."
After they all scramble out, I stand there, my head lowered, feeling genuinely terrified too. Who wouldn't be terrified after the way she threw that teacup?
"Where is the courage from before?" Amelia asks, the corner of her mouth twitching.
"I—" I start, but no excuse comes out.
Amelia sighs, a sound of pure disappointment. "Come here. Let me look at you."
I hesitate for a second, but I still walk over. She pinches my chin between her thumb and forefinger. Her aura is dark and imposing. She turns my face slightly to the side, inspecting me like an object.
"At least you weren't injured," she states. "How would I explain it to that brat if I returned you with injuries?"
I want to laugh. Which brat? If she was talking about my father, yes, but not Vega. Why would Vega care? But I don't say anything.
She lets go of my chin. "I am sorry I ruined your tea party," I offer, the words sounding small and pathetic.
I glance at the waiter, who is calmly sweeping the shattered porcelain cup off the floor, right next to the delicious, ruined treats.
"You think I care about this?" Amelia says, gesturing to the mess. "This was a test."
I look at her, genuinely confused. What does she mean?
"Being Mrs. Vastano is not for the weak," Amelia states, her eyes sharp and unforgiving. "If you can't deal with a group of brainless girls, then you don't deserve the title."
She leans forward. "You need to be tough and learn to stand in your husband's place in case something happens."
I am dumbfounded. This woman is genuinely passing on important advice, thinking I'm a real granddaughter-in-law, thinking I might actually be the one to protect her legacy.
"When my husband died," Amelia continues, her voice gaining a depth of sorrow, "I was left with a blood bath that almost killed my entire family and burned down the entire empire. But I had to stop mourning him and take charge."
I lower my head, suddenly feeling terrible for deceiving her.
"Don't be so discouraged, child," Amelia says, her tone softening unexpectedly. "I told you this not to put pressure on you. Give me your hand."
"Huh?" I say, confused. But Amelia simply takes my hand and places a heavy gold ring on my palm.
My palm feels like it's on fire. I want to refuse it, to push it away, but when I recall that I have to keep up the act, I can't refuse.
"I... I am really not worthy," I stammer.