Melissa gritted her teeth to the point it hurt. She was losing her cool and was barely holding on.
How could Asher say something like that out loud? Just like that, in front of all these people?
Did he even care about her feelings anymore?
It felt like he was cutting her off right there, and denouncing her status as if she were the outsider here.
She clenched her fists tight by her side, biting the inside of her cheek to keep her anger in check.
On the other side, Seraphina stood frozen, like someone had thrown a bucket full of cold water.
She couldn’t even breathe for a second.
Never in a million years had she expected to hear something like that from Asher.
The very same brother who had always been like a stranger to her was saying that she was the real Third Young Miss of the family!
She glanced at him and quietly pinched the side of her hand hard just to make sure if she was dreaming.
’Damn it... It’s not a dream,’ she thought, the pain was real.
Then what was it?
’Did I really die again and end up in some parallel world? Where I was loved and Melissa was the cruel little sister who loved to throw tantrums?’
Seraphina was still lost in her thoughts, as she was still in disbelief and shock, when Asher’s voice brought her back to reality.
"Melissa said you went to the servants’ wing and stole things from them that belonged to her," he said flatly.
What?
Her mind reeled.
Now I’ve become a thief too?
This had never happened in her previous life before.
What the hell was Melissa planning this time around accusing her like that?
Across the room, Melissa was starting to squirm. She wasn’t as composed anymore, and her fingers fidgeted as if her lies were slipping right through them.
"If you’re calling me a thief just because I reclaimed what was originally mine," Seraphina scoffed coldly, folding her arms, "then fine. But to claim someone else’s things and call it your own.... that’s daylight robbery, Mr. Asher."
The room fell silent.
Asher’s eyes narrowed. "And why were your things in the servants’ wing in the first place?"
The maid’s breath hitched.
"We... we were just... keeping them safe," one of the maids stuttered, casting a quick and nervous glance at Melissa. "This girl was careless with her belongings, so we—"
"This girl?" Asher’s tone dropped, dangerously low.
Thuk!
His palm slammed against the table in front of him as the maids flinched.
"Who the hell do you think you are talking to?" he snapped. "Do you not know how to speak to your master?"
The air in the room dropped ten degrees.
The maids swallowed in disgust, lowering their heads.
Our Master? This country bumpkin?
They didn’t dare say it out loud, but their eyes said it all. They were fuming inside.
And in their hearts, they had already hatched up a plan about how they would teach Seraphina a lesson she wouldn’t forget... the moment Asher was out of the mansion.
But Seraphina stood there, feeling the hatred and disgust on their faces.
"Are you for real right now?" Sera let out a sharp laugh. "Now I’ve suddenly become a master? Please, dear big brother, don’t play nice just because you’re feeling guilty today." Her voice was firm as each word was dipped in sarcasm. "Do me a favor and stop dragging me into your little family drama. Just tell me why I was called here?"
Asher blinked. He was clearly stunned.
The way she spoke was so distant... making him almost forget to breathe.
Last night, she had melted in his arms, trembling like a scared child who was looking for her father’s warmth.
But this morning, she stood like a cold person
And Asher didn’t know how to reach her now. He soon composed his shocked reaction and coughed.
"Either way, their accusation can’t be overlooked," Asher said, his eyes shifting to Sera, but there was no doubt in them, as if he was asking her to speak for herself. It was subtle, but Sera caught it.
If it were the old her and clueless girl from her past life, she wouldn’t have known what that look meant. But now? She understood. He was giving her a chance.
"Sure," Sera replied with a dry laugh. "Why not? Go ahead, search my room, flip it upside down if that makes you happy. But before that, how about you check the maids’ rooms? Or better, Melissa’s fancy little wardrobe, or wherever she hides her treasures."
Her voice turned colder. "Because maybe... I’ve also lost a few things. But I must’ve forgotten to report it or cry about it first thing in the morning in front of the whole household."
She smirked and crossed her arms. "Let’s be fair, shall we?"
Asher caught the hint behind Sera’s words and went on with her.
"I’ve known Melissa since she was a child... she wouldn’t do something like that," he said slowly, but his eyes didn’t hold the same certainty as his words.
Melissa’s lips curled into a smug smile, proud that Asher still took her side, and she could play the perfect little sister from before.
But then... Asher’s next words wiped that smile clean off her face.
"Why not?" he said, standing from his seat as his tone was calm but firm. "Let’s go. Let’s check Sera’s room, just like she has suggested."
"What!?" Melissa shot up, her voice filled with panic. "I... I don’t think that’s necessary! There’s no need to make a big deal out of this, right?" She forced a laugh, eyes darting between Asher and the maids. "You’re right. I overreacted. I should’ve trusted my sister instead of listening to the servants." Sёarᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Sera scoffed quietly at that sudden switch in tune.
"But this is not about you anymore, Melissa, and let me correct you... I... am not your sister... Neither you are!"
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