SWNOVELS Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Cynthia's lips curled up in a cold sneer.
These servants were masters at flattery, Ever since she stepped into the Larson residence two months ago, it was like she had become invisible to them. They either actively undermined her, aiding and abening her stepmother and stepsister behind her back, or, just as now, they crossed her openly.
Initially, Cynthia hadn't fully grasped the extent of the family's true colors. She bit her tongue for the sake of harmony, which only emboldened them further. Now, even the servants felt they could walk all over her.
Cynthia stood up and approached the cluster of gossiping servants.
Most of them lowered their heads and didn't say anything. Only one, a girl named Selene, defiantly met Cynthia's gaze. "Ms. Cynthia Larson, we were just speaking the truth," she said with brazen insolence. Cynthia recalled that this girl was Felicia's niece, who had been working here for two years, frequently bullying others by leveraging her aunt's
influence
Great, Selene volunteered herself, saving my efforts to find a target Eyelids narrowing. Cynthia swiftly raised her hand and struck Selene's cheek with a resounding slap.
Selene hit the floor, her face quickly swelling with the imprint of Cynthia's hand.
The suddenness of the act caught everyone in the living room off guard.
Dazed and humiliated, Selene struggled to retaliate, but Cynthia was faster, delivering another slap just as Selene was getting up. Selene collapsed once again.
"Selene, is it?" Cynthia leaned down slowly, her eyes searing with an intensity none had seen before. "If you're here to reconnect with family, go find your relatives." She glanced meaningfully at Felicia. "But if you're here to work, consider these slaps a lesson on minding your own business and keeping that tongue in check."
Dismissing the incident with a disdainful brush of her hands, Cynthia returned to her seat on the sofa.
Selene fought back tears, turning to Felicia for support only to meet her aunt's cautionary glare. Biting her lip in anger, she could only glare hatefully at Cynthia.
Felicia understood all too well-Cynthia was using Selene to hit back at her. Under normal circumstances, Felicia would have spoken up, but today they needed Cynthia's sacrifice for the family business, so they dared not rile her up. With quiet tears, Selene swallowed her indignation.
the disturbance ended when Mason intervened with false gentleness. "The drama's over, the punches thrown. Surely you've cooled off by now." He then played the family card. The company is facing tough times, and only Mr. Roberts is willing to invest. He specifically asked for mother's legacy. As her daughter, you must surely want to do your part."
you. It's your
Cynthia couldn't help but scoff, her gaze skimming over Felicia and Roseanne. "You say it's my mom's company, but once I resolve this crisis, won't it become others?"
The implication was too clear. Roseanne couldn't bear it and tried to retort, only to be stopped by Felicia.
Seeing his wife's distress frosted Mason's temperament, yet he had to remain composed. He coaxed, "Cynthia, it's not that I'm heartless. Mr. Roberts is the only one willing to help, and he only wants you. I'm out of options."
"Or do you have a solution?" Mason retorted, tossing the problem back into Cynthia's court. He was convinced his rural-returned daughter wouldn't have the acumen to handle the corporate crisis and would have to comply in the end,
Cynthia's smile was unwavering. "I can help the company through these hard times, but first, I want my mother's shares"
Disbelief painted Roseanne's features. "Stop dreaming. Even Dad can't turn this situation around. How could you, a country bumpkin with education, possibly resolve this?" Her voice dripped with contempt. "Sounds like someone's gone crazy over shares.