CH 15 : Sheer Ruthlessness
1019 Words
“ So, Miss Salmon,” Madam Hale said coldly, her fingers adjusting the ring on her hand, “ It would be for your own good if you dashed those scheming thoughts of becoming the daughter-in-law of the Hale family.”
Daniella's face paled under the glow of the chandelier. The light exposed every flicker of emotion she failed to suppress.
Her lips parted slightly.
“ What…what do you mean?” She asked.
“ Our Hale family choose our daughter-in-law based on family background,” Madam Hale continued, her tone unhurried, almost indulgent.“ Someone who can aid our business and expand our connections.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Daniella with open appraisal.
Then her lips curved.
“ It's a pity,” she said lightly, “ …you don't have one.”
Daniella's fingers clenched at her side. She lifted her head, eyes glistening as if hurt.
“ Your son and i love each other very much,” She said, shaking her head in disbelief.“ We are genuinely inlove. Are you going to separate us just because i lack a good family background?”
Madam Hale did not look angered, neither did she appear impatient.
Instead, she smiled.
The smile was elegant and measured, yet it never reached her eyes.
She regarded Daniella as one might look at something amusing but insignificant.
Love!
Madam Hale's lips curved faintly as the word lingered in the air.
She stepped closer, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
Daniella instinctively tensed, her shoulders went rigid, yet she did not retreat.
Madam Hale's gazed lingered on her bowed posture, the carefully controlled tears, the fragile expression crafted to evoke sympathy.
Her smile deepened into a knowing look.
Daniella stood there,with a rigid posture, head lowered as tears threatened to fall, appearing meek, humiliated and cornered.
Yet her lashes,a sheer ruthlessness flickered briefly in her eyes before disappearing quickly.
Madam Hale gaze continued to lingered on Daniella, and for a fleeting moment, the scene before her shifted.
It was as if she were staring at her younger self.
That same lowered gaze.
That same fragile defiance masked as innocence.
That same hunger, carefully wrapped in devotion.
The pursued of power, socialite lifestyle, belonging.
An obsession to belong to a wealthy family where every needs was met with a snap of a fingers.
Her fingers froze imperceptibly, as memories crawled up her spine like a some rotten leech.
Disgust flashed across her eyes before she buried it.
She despised being reminded, despised the way those long buried memories and secrets stirred, threatening to claw their way to the surface.
Anything that forced her to remember…anything that hinted at those secrets –
No
Never
Her pupils darkened, a cold venomous glint flashed briefly; sharp and lethal, like a snake ready to strike.
“ Madam Hale,” Daniella said suddenly, lifting her head. Her voice trembled, yet she held her ground.“ We've only met once. How do you know i won't be good enough for your son?”
Her fingers curled into her palms.“ How do you know I'm a schemer, faking my feelings for Alex?” She pressed on, eyes shinning.“ That I'm only meant to be a bedmate and nothing more, a mere plaything?”
Her breathing quickened.“ You can't insult my love for your son like this.” Her voice cracked.“ Why…why do you see me that way? Why do you dislike me this much? why?”
Daniella's words struck like slaps.
Madam Hale's face froze.
For a moment, Daniella's expression of pleading, acting wounded, yet stubbornly persistent felt too familiar, like a deja vu.
As if it were saying: This is what you did. This is how you used to act. This is what you mastered. So why pretend otherwise?
Something boiled violently in Madam Hale's chest.
Hatred surged within her, hot and uncontrollable, threatening to erupt.
“ You…” Madam Hale inhale sharply, then laughed, low and chilling.“ You're good. Good.”
Her laughter echoed softly in the living room, stripped of warmth, sharp with something far more dangerous beneath.
“ Nanny Ruth, send the guest out.” Madam Hale's voice was cold.
A faint crease appeared between her brows, so brief it could have been an illusion.“ She has overstayed her welcome.”
“ Yes, Madam.”
Nanny Ruth stepped forward at once. She had been standing there all along, her posture careful, reducing her presence to near invisibility under the heavy, suffocating tension in the room.
“ Miss Salmon, please.” Nanny Ruth stepped aside, extending her hand toward the door.
Daniella straightened herself, smoothing the front of her dress. Her smile lingered for half a second.
“ Thank you for your kindness,” She said, putting more meaning into the ‘kindness’, while stepping back.“ I'll take my leave then.”
As she turned toward the door, Madam Hale spoke again.
“ Miss Salmon.”
Daniella paused and looked back, her expression gentle and friendly.
“ Th Hale family values discretion,” She said calmly.“ Please keep that in mind.”
Daniella's smile grew taut for a heartbeat, then softened again.
“ Of course,” She replied.“ I understand.”
She bowed subtly and left, her footsteps light against the marble floor.
Nanny Ruth returned to the living room after seeing Daniella out.
Madam Hale was still sitting there, her expression cold and unreadable.
Nanny Ruth hesitated, her steps slowing.
That look was never a good sign. One wrong word could cost a servant dearly. After a brief pause, she straightened and walked over.
“ What do you think of Miss Salmon?” Madam Hale asked without turning.
“ She's too scheming,” Nanny Ruth replied carefully, choosing each word with restraint.“ Not suitable for Young Master Alex.”
Madam Hale let out a short, humorless laugh.
“ Indeed. Too scheming, too power- hungry.” She lifted her teacup, then set it down untouched.
“ From the moment she stepped into this house, her purpose was clear.”
Her fingers clenched lightly against her ring.
- Writer
