Chapter 55
I was in a daze, practically floating as I returned home.
The moment I stepped inside, Amara emerged from the living room with a glass of water. Seeing me, she frowned. "Why are you back so early? Is the birthday banquet over?"
My mind was completely occupied by Octavius's words; I had no energy to deal with her. I just nodded and headed upstairs.
Behind me, I could vaguely hear Amara's complaining voice.
"Heath, look at her. She's getting more and more out of line. Does she even see me as an elder anymore!"
I turned a deaf ear, went back to my room, and collapsed onto the bed, burying my burning face in the pillow. My heart was still pounding wildly.
Octavius was actually waiting for my response.
He didn't want to sever ties with me. What he said in the stairwell was, in fact, a demand for a proper title.
The more I thought about it, the faster my heart beat. I couldn't help but hug the covers and roll over, burying my face deeper and letting out a silent scream.
This was wonderful.
This wasn't just me in a one-sided fantasy.
Octavius still had feelings for me!
My heart raced faster and faster. I rushed to open the window, grinning into the cold wind.
I knew I must look like an idiot right now, but I couldn't stop smiling.
In the end, I fell asleep with the window open. It was cold, but wrapped in my blanket, I slept incredibly soundly, even my dreams filled with good things.
The next day.
I opened my eyes and stretched, clinging to the covers, reluctant to fully wake up.
My brain came online first, slowly recalling everything from last night.
Octavius's words.
My heart accelerated, and I shot my eyes open.
Right.
I remembered.
Octavius wanted me to take responsibility. He cared about me!
I happily muffled my head with the blanket and giggled for a while before finally getting up to wash, my face flushed.
The person in the mirror had a spring in her step, her complexion rosy and glowing.
I flashed myself a brilliant smile and went downstairs in high spirits.
In the dining room.
Heath and the mother-daughter duo, Amara and Brielle, were having breakfast.
Heath had a rare smile on his face. He nodded when he saw me.
"Seraphine's awake? Come and eat."
I smiled back, then noticed the mother and daughter at the table didn't look too pleased.
What was going on?
I walked over and sat down opposite Heath.
He poured me a glass of milk, gratified. "News of your piano performance spread through our circles yesterday. Several old friends called, all saying I and Amara raised a daughter well, that you're so talented."
I finally understood why Heath was so happy.
He'd always valued face and reputation, enjoying the glory of being praised.
I smiled. "They're not wrong. Father certainly raised his daughter well. I've always seen you as my role model."
Heath was even more satisfied.
Just then, Amara put down her knife and fork, her tone sour and questioning. "Seraphine, when did you secretly learn piano? Even I didn't know."
I paused.
"You came back yesterday without a word and went straight upstairs. Do you have no respect for me at all?"
As Amara spoke, her eyes reddened on cue.
She picked up a napkin to dab at her tears, her voice choked. "Right, I'm not your biological mother after all. You don't need to respect me. It's only right that you disregard me."
"Mom, don't cry. I'll take good care of you from now on. As for Seraphine, just let her be," Brielle chimed in, handing Amara a tissue.
The mother and daughter played their parts perfectly, lightly pinning the crime of disrespecting elders on me.
I felt disgusted, but put on a wronged expression and retorted, "Mom, have you forgotten? You're the one who told me it was useless for girls to learn so many talents, that playing the piano was a waste of time, and that marrying well was the most important thing."
Amara froze, her tears instantly held back.
I sighed. "You also said Mitchell doted on me so much, that I just needed to be beautiful and didn't need any skills. By that logic, shouldn't I quit the company and just stay at home waiting to get married?"
Heath put down his coffee cup, his eyes narrowing. "Is that so?"
I nodded. "It's because I took your words to heart, because I respect you so much and thought you made sense, that I didn't dare learn openly. I had to learn in secret, afraid of making you unhappy."
At this point, I mimicked Amara's act and let my eyes redden. "How has it become my fault now?"
Amara's lips trembled. She was too angry to speak.
Heath's face instantly darkened, and he berated Amara unhappily. "Look at you! What kind of nonsense have you been teaching! You nearly harmed Seraphine. If you don't know how to raise a daughter, then keep your mouth shut!"
With that, he abruptly pushed back his chair and left with a cold snort.
Amara's face turned shades of green and white as she glared daggers at me.
I was in a good mood and couldn't be bothered to press her further. I picked up my napkin, wiped my mouth, and stood up.
"I'm full. Enjoy your meal."
Amara's POV
Watching Seraphine's retreating back, my chest felt tight with anger. I dug my fingers into my palms, barely restraining the impulse to rush forward and slap her mouth.
When did she become so articulate?
Every word was laced with thorns, yet she managed to look so innocent and wronged!
Where was the idiot I could wrap around my finger with a few words, the one who was hopelessly devoted to Mitchell?
This new Seraphine was deep, her methods sharp. It was like she was a different person, becoming harder and harder to control.
"Mom, why are you getting angry at someone like her?"
Brielle came over, saying smugly. "So what if she's articulate? She's just secondhand goods, played with by some old man! She didn't come home all night, and you saw those kiss marks on her neck. She's been defiled; her body isn't clean anymore!"
A thought struck me.
Right, how could I forget that!
No matter how clever Seraphine was with her words, the fact that she'd lost her innocence and been toyed with by a man was a stain she could never wash away!
"You're right!"
I grabbed Brielle's hand. "Brielle, find a way to let Octavius know about this. Let him know what kind of woman Seraphine is, and see how he can still treasure her!"
As long as Octavius despised Seraphine, we'd see how long her arrogance would last!
Thinking of this, my mood improved considerably. I took a bank card from my purse and stuffed it into Brielle's hand.
"There's ten million dollars in here. I've gathered it for you. Go find Ewan immediately and buy the shares he holds!"
"Once you have those shares, your stake will be larger than Seraphine's. Then, at the board meetings, our voices will carry more weight!"
Brielle took the card, her face lighting up with excitement. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll get it done right away. I guarantee I'll get those shares!"
Watching her hurry away, I leaned back on the sofa and slowly exhaled.
This Seraphine absolutely could not be allowed to stay.
She's growing stronger now and has connected with Octavius.
If she was allowed to develop further, she'll definitely become a serious threat to me, seriously obstructing my plan to take over the entire Whitaker family fortune.
I must find a way to deal with Seraphine!