ing demanded her immediate presence and permanent residence at the main family compound for 'optimal security and monitoring.' The sudden shift from the cold, isolated high-ri

ahogany railing. She paused on the landing to adjust the straps of her white medical mask,

long mahogany table was meticulously set with

y sipping Earl Grey tea. She looked up and offered

y groaned. She dropped her silver fork ont

pping with disgust. "Looking at a disfigured monster firs

iddle of the table, pulled out a heavy wooden chair,

ured hot black coffee into Eleanora's cup, her eyes da

s. "Cherry, darling, mind your manners. Be polite to Ax

ask, her mind was rapidly analyzing the psychological dynamics

er mother's subtle encouragement. She l

tter piled high with greasy sausages. With a vicious s

wood. It shot across the table, stopping just inches fr

inch. She effortlessly dodged the petty physica

g together. She was visibly annoyed by Eleanora's cal

in, the heavy oak doors at

he leaned heavily on her silver-handled c

straighter, placing her teacup down gently. Cherry immediatel

at the head of the table. S

nod back. She played the role of the quiet,

nd continued to whisper sharp, degrading insults under her br

at Eleanora's simple sweater. "I bet her baby will inhe

Her fingernails dug into her palms. Her maternal inst

forced her heart rate down. She refused to give Che

She calculated the exact physical distance between

al. A serving maid had just placed it directly between

ers, making herself appear smaller, weaker, and more vul

Her eyes locked onto the white medical mask

to Genevieve. "She's probably just hiding a naturall

water. Her leg muscles tensed slightly under the table. She was fully