Chapter 4 Showing Off?
998 Words
Margot talked to Toby the entire drive. The boy was full of energy, babbling non-stop. He told her all about who argued with who at school, who made up, how amazing the snacks were at lunch, and how he saved her a piece, but not a single bite for Cassian.
It must have been some kind of natural, blood-bonded thing, because instead of getting annoyed, Margot found it amusing.
She imagined Cassian on the other end of the line, trying to picture Toby's rambling, and couldn't resist teasing him. "What if Daddy gets mad because you didn't save him any snacks, and won't let you sleep with me tonight?"
"Huh?"
Toby froze, looking confused. After a long, dramatic pause, he finally said, reluctantly, "Well... I'll give him a little bit."
Margot couldn't help but laugh.
It wasn't until the car pulled up in front of a villa that she ended the call.
As she stepped out of the car, it hit her that the Rosewood family had moved—this wasn't the same address anymore.
Nothing felt familiar.
Margot lowered her eyes and walked towards the front door.
Inside, Evelyn was hosting a small crowd of guests. She wore a dark green dress, her hair elegantly styled, her makeup perfect. But when Margot looked at her, she could see the lines of age creeping in.
A sudden wave of emotion hit Margot as she walked up and handed her a gift. "Mom, happy birthday."
"Margot?" Evelyn replied, her voice flat, taking the gift without even looking at it.
She passed it straight to Edward and then turned her gaze towards Margot. "Where are Cassian and Toby?"
Margot pressed her lips together and softly replied, "They'll be here soon."
Evelyn merely muttered an indifferent "oh" and didn't say anything more.
Margot fought back the heavy feeling in her chest. She had hoped that after all these years, Evelyn's attitude towards her might soften, especially considering she'd raised Margot. Surely the bond they'd once shared couldn't have been entirely fake?
But Evelyn's coldness was more painful than she'd expected.
"You devil!"
A shrill voice rang out, and Margot turned instinctively. Before she even saw who it was, a full glass of red wine splashed right in her face!
She barely had time to react as her white pearl-colored dress was completely ruined.
"Sierra?"
It was Sierra, but she hardly looked like the woman Margot remembered from seven years ago.
Sierra and Evelyn shared the same delicate features, a soft and graceful beauty that contrasted with Margot's bold, striking appearance.
But now, Sierra looked gaunt, her face drawn and hollow, despite the heavy makeup. Her eyes were full of bitterness.
"How dare you show up!"
Sierra's voice was sharp. "You took my life! Living like a rich girl for over a decade wasn't enough for you? You have to take everything from me?!"
Margot opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Sierra stormed towards her, grabbing her arm so roughly that her nails dug into Margot's skin, making her wince in pain.
"I've figured it out," Sierra spat. "You're here to show off!"
Sierra glared at her with pure hatred. "You came to flaunt that even though you're married, Lucas still can't forget you! You've been living overseas all these years, out of touch with everyone, and now you're back, and I can't find him anywhere! It's all your fault!"
"What are you talking about?!"
Margot stood frozen, stunned as if struck by lightning, unable to believe what she was hearing.
Sierra seemed to lose all control, charging at her with the intent to fight.
Evelyn rushed forward but only half-heartedly. She didn't do much to stop Sierra, and Margot was pulled back and forth, nearly falling over.
Evelyn shot Margot a disapproving glance, her tone sharp. "Sierra's been unwell. Why provoke her like this? What's your game?"
Margot opened her mouth to respond, but no words came.
The last seven years had been a blur for her. She didn't even know what had happened, let alone how to explain it.
Then suddenly, a small figure came charging forward, slamming into Sierra and knocking her aside.
"Toby?"
It was Toby. He grabbed a cake from the table and, before anyone could react, threw it directly at Sierra. "Don't you dare bully my mommy!"
The sudden outburst from the child left everyone speechless.
Evelyn, now flustered, rushed forward to block Sierra, but with less urgency than before. "Toby, how could you do that to your aunt?"
Toby puffed up his little face and yelled, "Grandma, you're so biased! This woman's bullying my mommy, and you're not even helping her!"
Evelyn's face flushed in embarrassment. "Toby, this is adult business. Whatever your mommy told you is not true."
"You're being unfair, and now you're lying to me too? Aren't you ashamed?"
A low, steady voice interrupted the tension—it was Cassian, who had just returned from his call.
He walked over to Margot, standing protectively behind her. "Are you okay?"
He'd seen her almost fall from a distance and, noticing how the neckline of her dress was torn, he quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
Then he turned to Toby. "Toby, come here."
Evelyn's confidence instantly deflated.
Margot hadn't been around much lately, especially when Cassian wasn't there. Evelyn probably thought she could get away with a lot. After all, Margot had taken Sierra's life, so anything Sierra did to her seemed fair game in Evelyn's eyes.
But now that Cassian had seen everything, the game had changed.
After all, everyone knew that the success of the Rosewood family business was tied to Cassian from the Vale family.
Evelyn wouldn't dare offend him.
Sierra, however, was too enraged to think of that. She stared at the cake splattered all over her dress—bright, colorful frosting completely ruining her gown. She screamed, "You're showing off enough already, and now you sent your son to humiliate me!"
- Writer
