Masks Falling One by One: The CEO's Wife Is Actually a Top Boss

refuse

The old lady beamed as she saw Violet being as thoughtful and sweet as ever.

"Wonderful, wonderful! Nothing is better than a harmonious family."

The old lord then turned to Serena Cavendish.

"Though Violet is our adopted daughter, we’ve treated her like our own flesh and blood all these years. Serena, you must respect your elder sister."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Serena lifted her eyes to look at Violet. The girl was stunningly beautiful—with delicate features, smooth porcelain-like skin, and the elegant grace of a pampered young lady.

Yet there was an inexplicable hint of hostility in the way Violet looked at her.

Just then, Earl Philip Cavendish cut in. "Serena, now that you’re back in the Cavendish household, the family will have a custom-made family crest pin crafted for you. You’ll wear it to all banquets and formal events from now on—it’s a symbol of Cavendish identity."

Serena’s brows furrowed, her voice cool and calm. "I know Father means to help me fit into the family sooner, but this crest represents the Cavendish legacy. I don’t deserve it yet. When I was abducted as a child, I fell gravely ill and nearly died. If my foster mother hadn’t punished those villains, taken me in, nursed me back to health and raised me, I would be long gone. Now that I’m home, I want to honor her memory first. I’ll wear this pin with pride only when I’ve made something of myself."

The Cavendish family members all frowned at her words.

Naturally, Earl Philip and Countess Elizabeth were displeased.

Serena looked up at the old lord, her tone filled with quiet resolve. "Grandfather, I’m home now. I carry the Cavendish blood in my veins, and from now on, the family’s interests will always come first. Whether I wear this pin today or tomorrow doesn’t matter at all."

The old lord fell into thought for a moment, then spoke. "Your foster mother truly saved your life—your loyalty to her speaks volumes about your character. Very well, I’ll have the pin kept safe for you. I’ll personally hand it to you when you feel the time is right. As for your name, it will be officially entered into the family tree, granting you full rights as a Cavendish."

Though her request had ruffled some feathers, it was clear that she was a girl of strong principles and gratitude.

The old lady quickly came around, stepping in to smooth things over with a smile. "Alright, now that we’ve all gotten acquainted, let’s head to the dining room for supper. We have a long future ahead of us. If we work together as a family to grow our business, the Cavendish name will only shine brighter."

Everyone rose to their feet, echoing her words in agreement.

Violet hurried forward to take the old lady’s arm. "Grandmother, let me help you."

The second aunt also stepped up, joining Violet to support the old lady on both sides.

After dinner, the family dispersed.

Violet was the most dutiful of them all—she personally escorted the old lady back to her courtyard and stayed to chat with her, keeping the elderly woman laughing merrily.

Serena returned to Westbrook Court with Fiona.

Only then did she realize that while Westbrook Court was closest to the garden, it was the farthest from the main hall and the elders’ residences.

Violet, by contrast, lived in the courtyard adjacent to Earl Philip’s, with the old lady’s quarters just to her right and her cousins’ courtyards all around her. Her privileged status in the family was plain to see.

Fiona followed behind Serena, hesitating for a moment before finally venturing to speak. "Miss, you shouldn’t have turned down the Earl’s kind offer. The family crest pin is the ultimate symbol of Cavendish identity—many would give anything to wear it. By refusing it, you’ve surely upset the elders."

Fiona felt that with her years of experience, she owed it to Serena to offer a word of advice.

Serena sat down on the sofa in the courtyard’s sitting room, nodding faintly at Fiona. "What you say makes sense—but I stand by my decision."

She was her own person.

The Cavendishes were the Cavendishes.

She had never returned home to become a pawn of the family. She was an independent individual—her worth wasn’t defined by the favor of others, nor diminished by their prejudice.

It was the elders’ choice who they wished to dote on.

She would remember every kindness shown to her.

And she would remember every slight as well.

Seeing the firm resolve in Serena’s voice, Fiona wisely fell silent.

……

Early the next morning.

After breakfast, the old lady asked Serena to stay behind, taking her hand gently and asking, "My dear, are you settling in well now that you’re home?"

Serena nodded, her tone sincere. "Thank you for asking, Grandmother. I’ve slept more soundly here than I have in a long time."

The old lady smiled, pleased. "I’m glad to hear it. Go home and prepare yourself—we’ll be enrolling you in a prestigious high school in Central London. The curriculum there is far more rigorous than what you had in that small country town you came from. You might struggle to keep up at first, so you’ll need to work twice as hard."