Annabelle Linton's brow furrowed. "I am the young miss of the Linton family, after all. Since when is it shameless to return to my own home? You, on the other hand, are ignorant and useless, pointing fingers and criticizing everyone while mooching off us all day long. No wonder the servants in this house are so awful. It turns out you've been teaching them well."
Yvonne Miller was so furious she shot to her feet. But just as she was about to speak, she heard Annabelle say to the servants, "Are you all deaf to my words? Or do none of you want to work here anymore?"
The servants were all startled.
Yvonne Miller shot a look from the side. One of the servants caught her meaning and, with a frown, sluggishly poured a cup of water and brought it over.
Annabelle took a single sip and immediately spat it out with a "PFFT." She slammed the teacup to the ground. "Is this what you call tea? It's cold! How is anyone supposed to drink this? You must be new here. Well, as of today, you're fired!"
The Linton family paid their servants nearly three times the wages of other households. Although the family was now on the brink of bankruptcy, no one, from the top down, knew it yet.
Besides, being fired by the Linton family was tantamount to being blacklisted in the industry. For service workers, being unable to find a job meant they would starve.
The maid was terrified and immediately begged for forgiveness. "Young Miss, I was wrong! I was so wrong! Please, don't fire me! My parents back home are sick and waiting for me to send money! I'll pour you a new cup right away. You like it perfectly hot, right? Please wait, I'll be right back!"
With that, the maid scrambled away in a panic to get more water. Seeing this, the other servants no longer dared to show Annabelle any disrespect. They quickly cleaned up the broken glass on the floor and brought out some pastries.
Yvonne Miller saw this and gritted her teeth in frustration.
Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open.
A young man in casual clothes walked in from outside. He was tall and stood with an elegant posture, his brows well-defined and his eyes sharp. His entire being radiated a refined, intimidating aura that commanded respect.
A servant took his backpack the moment he stepped inside.
Ryan Linton shot them an impassive glance but said nothing.
As he walked further into the room, he saw Annabelle sitting on the sofa. He subconsciously gave her a discreet, head-to-toe scan. Only after confirming that she was safe and sound could he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
A faint, dismissive smile played on Ryan Linton's thin lips. He spoke with a roguish air, "So, you're still alive. I was about to waste money on some get-well gifts for you, but it seems that won't be necessary."
"You have a way with words, don't you?" Annabelle said, setting down her teacup and looking at him. "I'm a patient fresh out of the hospital, you know. A little emotional support would still be nice."
'Seeing the only family she had left in the world, she was overwhelmed with emotion.'
Yvonne Miller sneered. "She's barely been back a minute and she's already turned the entire house upside down, yelling at the servants and smashing teacups. Does that sound like someone who just came from the hospital? She's acting like she's on steroids!"
Ryan glanced at the fawning servants and immediately understood what had likely happened.
'These sycophants who kiss up and kick down... they usually disrespect me, and I just turn a blind eye. They must have given Annabelle a hard time, or else why would she be putting them in their place?'
Ryan let out a cold scoff. "Even if she is disciplining them, they're servants of the Linton family. Who the hell do you think you are, daring to speak to my sister like that?"
Yvonne Miller shrieked, "Ryan Linton, who do you think you're talking to? Just you wait! I'm telling your father when he gets home!"
Ryan shot her a contemptuous sidelong glance, dismissing her completely. "You're content with my mother's leftovers, yet you have the gall to look as smug as if you've eaten a pile of shit. This is as good as your life is ever going to get."
"You—!" Yvonne Miller was speechless with rage.
Ryan ignored her and sat down next to Annabelle.
His expression remained stern, but his tone softened considerably. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better."
Ryan glanced over at Yvonne Miller. "Let's go out to eat. The sight of some people is ruining my appetite."