Chapter 83 The Serpent's Call
The silence was a ringing bell in Annabel's ears as she stood in the center of the spacious room after Fred had left.
She was aware that nothing would be resolved even though he had promised to speak with Carson and share what he knew.
Her and Carson's growing distance from one another was the issue, not Fred or what he stood for.
She felt like she was carrying a physical weight from Bridget's animosity and his jealousy.
Her heart leaped into her throat at the sound of the front door thudding heavily and the swift decisive clicks of high heels on the marble floor even though she wanted to sleep, close her eyes and pretend that today had never happened.
Then with a violent slam against the wall the door to her room flew open.
It must be Victoria.
She was a picture of costly rage with a dark well-tailored suit that stood out against her contemptuous twisted face.
With a whisper that cut through the air like a razor, Victoria spoke.
“What is the meaning of this you, tramp? Who are you attacking my guest and acting like you own the world ?” Victoria asked.
Annabel stepped back, her hands at her sides clenched into fists.
“I’ve not made any attacks. All of this is amiscommunication.” Anabelle said.
“A miscommunication?” Victoria chuckled, her voice harsh and irritating.
She dragged Bridget with her as she stepped into the room.
“Take a look at her! Poor Bridget is shaking with fear.” Victoria said.
Burying her face in Victoria's shoulder, Bridget sniffed.
“She’s really strong, Victoria. She just lost her mind when I tried to explain things to her.” Bridget said.
“Is that right?” Victoria's icy gaze stared directly into Annabel's. “You lack manners and class. You yell and strike people. You were raised by an animal of some sort, right?”
Annabel's face reddened.
“Nobody in this room is being honest. I just stood up for myself when she insulted me. I was called a useless gold digger by her.” Anabelle said.
With a menacing crescendo, Victoria's voice rose.
“And you think that gives you the right to put your hands on her? Bridget is a woman of class and breeding. All you are is a typical street girl he chose to play a game with.” Victoria said.
“That’s not true! She initiated it!” Annabel's voice broke.
Victoria roared, her face twisted violently.
“Silence!. You dirty wretch, don't even dare talk to me in that manner. Taking something that isn't yours makes you no better than a typical thief.” Victoria said.
“I have not committed any thefts. I'm not a thief.”Annabel said, her voice emotionally charged.
Victoria spat out the word invited as if it were a curse.
“You served as a momentary diversion, an impulse. You are a common girl from a broken home with no family, no connections and no grace. Do you really think my son, a man of his status, would ever think about a real future with someone like you?” Victoria asked.
Bridget made a low, deceptive whimpering sound.
“Victoria, she's getting upset once more. I'm afraid.” She said,
With her eyes fixed on Annabel, Victoria drew Bridget closer.
“Look at her. Take a look at the creature my son has introduced into our family. An animal with no dignity or respect. You're going to leave this house. Now. Gather your belongings and leave.” Victoria said.
It was a raw burning feeling of humiliation.
“I’m not going anywhere. Not the way it is. Not due to your prejudices and her lies.” Anabelle said.
“You will do as I say.” Victoria said in a low menacing hum.
With her face inches from Annabel's she strode ahead.
“You don't belong here. You have no right to exist in my world or to speak. My son owes it to his legacy and his family. You can't corrupt him.” Victoria said.
“I haven't corrupted anyone!” Annabel cried, her eyes brimming with rage and distress. “He is an adult and doesn't require your consent to be in a relationship.”
“He doesn't need someone like you who is a gold digger to ruin his reputation.” Victoria growled. “The woman for him is Bridget. She possesses the heritage and elegance. Everything that you are lacking.”
“She's a liar!” Annabel screamed at Bridget. “She is the one who is manipulative and jealous and she is following his money and life!”
A sharp cracking sound reverberated throughout the room before she had finished speaking.
Annabel stumbled backwards as Victoria's hand struck her cheek with such force that it stung and was extremely painful.
The room slanted.
Her skin grew numb as the agony burst in her face in a flash of intense heat.
For a moment, she could see the shock on Bridget’s face before her knees buckled.
She fell hard onto the soft carpet, the elaborate rug a jumble of hues.
Her mouth was filled with the taste of copper. Her fingers left a smear of blood on her lip as she touched it.
She looked up from the ground. Victoria’s hand was still up in the air, her face a mask of icy rage.
Bridget, her eyes wide with triumph and shock.
Victoria said, her voice trembling with anger “That’s for your insolence. Now before I call the police and have you dragged out, you useless girl, leave my house.”
Annabel's eyes were burning.
The embarrassment burned fiercely in her veins. Keeping her hand on her aching cheek, she forced herself to sit up.
Then Victoria turned to go.
As he took in the scene, Carson stood there his eyes wide with horror and his face pallid.
Annabel was lying on the ground with her lip bleeding while his mother was standing above her.
He had to have witnessed everything. He had been there with the door open the entire time. Annabel was more shocked by the realization than by the slap.
The same as before he had watched and stood by. He hadn't kept her safe. He had not stood up for her.
And he had let this happen.