Chapter 2 She's Not Your Slave
1010 Words
The man who had grabbed Molina twisted her arm behind her back and gave it a flick. Molina's hand slipped free, and she staggered, nearly falling over.
Calista looked over and saw that the person holding Molina was a tall man in an expensive suit.
His strong jawline and sharp features exuded confidence, while his high nose and thin lips hinted at a certain coldness. His piercing blue eyes seemed to reflect the stormy depths of the sea.
His deep, magnetic voice broke the tension. "She's just a nanny, not your slave. Molina, I think it's time you read up on some basic laws."
As he spoke, the last rays of sunlight filtered through the glass and cast on him, making him look imposing. Every movement he made oozed with aristocratic elegance.
Molina, stung by his words, felt an unexpected heat flood her face.
Ellet's eyes widened, and his posture stiffened. He blurted out, "Uncle Baldwin, what brought you here?"
Baldwin's gaze shifted to Ellet, sizing him up for a long moment. His icy blue eyes sent a chill down Ellet's spine. "This is my house. Why wouldn't I be here? Do you mean I need to get your permission before coming?"
With that, Baldwin casually flicked his wrist, as though merely touching Molina had somehow sullied him.
Back when Ellet just became a senator, he'd moved to the capital. Riding high on his grandfather's favoritism, he asked to live in his uncle, Baldwin's house.
It had been two years. Ellet had gotten lost in the political game, drowning in networking and the pursuit of power. Baldwin never mentioned taking the house back, and Ellet and Molina never thought of moving out.
Now, Baldwin's words landed like a slap. Ellet and Molina stood there, exposed and embarrassed, like clowns in front of an audience, their faces flushing in waves of shame.
Ellet clenched his fists at his sides, his face turning beet-red. He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to salvage some dignity. "Uncle Baldwin, so what brings you here today?"
Baldwin raised his eyebrows, his eyes narrowing with displeasure. "I'm the Lieutenant Governor now. You shouldn't call me uncle anymore, you know? Now that you're involved in politics too, you should know the boundaries."
Ellet stiffened at those words and quickly nodded, his embarrassment deepening. "Yes, sir. I apologize for that." Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead as the awkwardness hung thick in the air.
Baldwin didn't respond right away. Instead, he pulled a sleek file from his jacket and casually slapped it against his palm. "I was supposed to deliver some documents from my father to you. But seeing as you're more in need of sorting out the mess at home, I think you should handle this first."
With that, he tossed the file into the nearby trash can, and the sound of it landing in the bin echoed in the room. It hit Ellet's chest like a lead weight.
"Can't even manage your own house. What makes you think you're ready to manage anything else? Ellet, you'd better start taking a hard look at your abilities," Baldwin said coolly.
His words were pointed, and the weight of them hung in the air as he stared at Ellet with a look that spoke volumes.
The coming election wasn't just Ellet's—Baldwin was running too.
As soon as the current governor stepped down after his four-year term, Baldwin's abilities and tactics made it clear he was a shoo-in for the next governor.
Ellet could have used Baldwin as a stepping stone, taking the position of finance minister, but now, everything was ruined!
Looking at Ellet's defeated expression, Baldwin couldn't hide a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
Then, Baldwin looked up at Calista. His eyes lingered on her face for a moment. There seemed to be something in his eyes, something unreadable. Then, he turned on his heel and strode toward the door without a second glance.
Ellet stood there and stared in the direction Baldwin went until the sound of Baldwin's steady footsteps finally faded down the hallway. Then, as if snapped from a trance, he came to his senses.
He slowly turned around and, by chance, he caught a glimpse of Molina.
A wave of disgust washed over him, and he internally complained, 'This woman is nothing but trouble. How I wish she could be here.'
Then, Ellet's gaze fell on Calista again. With gritted teeth, he spat, "You'd better keep your mouth shut about today. If even a whisper gets out, I'll make your life hell!"
The charming, refined persona he wore in public was completely gone. Now, he was just a man driven by frustration and fury.
Calista lowered her head slightly and replied in a whisper, "I understand, sir."
But inside, she was scoffing. 'Humph, Ellet's still as fake as he was five years ago. He'll throw away anything, including so-called true love, if it stands in the way of his ambitions.'
Meanwhile, Molina snapped out of her shock and humiliation. She shot a seething glare at Calista, then turned and stormed up the stairs, her high heels clicking angrily against the floor. Her posture screamed defeat and fury.
Ellet rubbed his temples wearily, thinking through how to salvage the situation.
If he didn't handle this right, it wouldn't just affect his campaign—it could ruin his standing in the family for good.
In the end, Ellet decided he'd have to smooth things over with Molina first. At least her family would back him, even if he was fed up with her childish outbursts. But for now, there was no other choice left for him.
That night, when the house finally fell into silence, Calista quietly slipped back to her small room.
Lying in bed, her thoughts drifted back to that moment earlier when Baldwin locked eyes with her just before leaving.
It was the same look he gave her on that night four months ago.
Her mind was suddenly yanked back to that wild, chaotic night four months ago.
- Writer
