Slap
The loud slap echoed through the room, leaving everyone stunned. Louis stood still, his hand still outstretched from where he had just ripped the money, his face turning bright red from shock.
Mada Shades’ expression darkened as she glared at her son, disappointnt written across her pale face. "Don’t you ever disrespect money like that," she scolded, her voice cold and firm. "If you don’t understand its value, at least have the decency to respect it. And what you did today... I am deeply ashad." Her gaze shifted to Ruby, and she softened slightly. "I truly apologize for my son’s behavior, Miss Ruby. I hope he hasn’t hurt your feelings too much."
Ruby stood up, her face calm but her eyes sharp. "Of course, he’s hurt my feelings. And I expect so kind of compensation for that," she replied coldly.
Mada Shades’ face hardened as she turned to Louis. "Apologize to Miss Ruby. Now."
Louis’ face was bright red, his eyes filling with tears as he stomped his feet. "I don’t want to! I don’t want to!" he yelled, throwing a tantrum. "Awoooowoooo! Mom, you slapped for them! I hate you!" His voice trembled with anger. "You’re so bad, Ruby! I’ll ruin you! I swear I will!"
Ruby watched him silently, her expression unmoved. She wasn’t bothered by his words. "Say whatever you want, it won’t bother ," she said, her tone flat and mocking. "You’re just wasting your breath."
The room grew quiet as Louis continued to sob, but Ruby turned her attention to Mada Shades, her voice cutting through the tension. "And Mada Shades, is this how you raise your children? To throw tantrums and act like spoiled brats? A real mother would teach her child so decency."
Mada Shades’ eyes flickered with sothing darker, but Ruby wasn’t intimidated. She could feel the cold aura of the woman, and sothing about her gave Ruby an uneasy feeling. There was a sense of mystery surrounding Mada Shades, especially knowing her connection to Ruby’s parents.
Mada Shades took a deep breath, as if trying to control her emotions, and finally forced a smile. "I am sorry, Miss Ruby. My child is simply spoiled," she said, her voice laced with frustration.
Hearing his mother’s words, Louis cried out. "Mom... I don’t want to say sorry! No! No!" His tears were now streaming down his fat face, but Mada Shades’ expression only beca more helpless as she glanced at him.
Ruby, however, remained unbothered. "I don’t need his apologies," she said, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "And from the way he acted, it’s clear he’s gone down the wrong path. Mada Shades, I hope you take control of him, or who knows where he might end up in the future." Ruby’s words hung in the air, and Mada Shades blinked in surprise.
Ruby then bent down and carefully picked up the ripped money from the floor, standing tall as she walked towards Mada Shades. Her steps were light, confident.
As she stood before the Mada shades, Ruby’s eyes were unflinching, her gaze locked with Mada Shades’ without a hint of fear.
"Although the money is his, since we’ve already paid off the debt, I believe it’s only fair that I get a return for the ntal harm we’ve suffered from his actions," Ruby said, her voice calm yet assertive. "I expect compensation for that."
Mada Shades was taken aback. No one ever dared to look her in the eyes like this, especially not with such directness. Ruby was different—so different from her parents.
The witch’s dark eyes studied Ruby closely, her surprise clear. This young witch was bold, and not in the sa way Ruby’s parents had been. There was sothing different about her..
The butler, Ford, walked into the room with a tray of snacks and a glass of water, his expression as blank as ever. He placed the tray down on the table and spoke in his usual monotone voice, as if the tension in the room didn’t exist.
"Have snacks," he said, his tone unbothered by the chaos surrounding them.
Ruby gave a small nod, picking up a cookie from the tray. "Thanks," she said, her voice casual. She gestured toward Adrian and Karl, signaling them to take so snacks as well.
Adrian nodded as he reached for a cookie, his eyes still trained on Ruby. He could finally feel that she was different, that she had changed, even if just a little.
Karl, too, was taken aback. He even forgot his destructive thoughts when he saw Louis lying on the floor, crying. He had wanted to do sothing—anything—to punish the brat, like kicking his fat body... but now, seeing how Ruby had turned the situation around and was trying to get her money back, he couldn’t help but be little bit impressed.
anwhile, Mada Shades didn’t break her gaze from Ruby. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was sizing Ruby up. She turned her attention to Ford, her voice stern. "Butler Ford! Get one note! Be quick," she ordered.
Butler Ford, unfazed, nodded silently and headed upstairs.
Ruby, however, didn’t seem bothered or looking happy her expression calm, almost amused. Her fingers gently traced the edge of the cookie as she continued to watch Mada Shades.
While Ruby and Mada Shades locked eyes, both of them sizing each other up in silence, Adrian and Karl were quietly munching away, polishing off every cookie on the tray and drinking the water as if it was so rare delicacy. Karl, feeling especially pleased, thought to himself, Wow, water from a rich person’s house tastes so much better! He straightened up with a satisfied grin, while Adrian put on his best nonchalant face, pretending he hadn’t just devoured the snacks alongside him.
Ruby, though fully aware of their "sneaky" behavior, simply sighed inwardly. They really thought they were being subtle, but the loud crunching sounds they were making gave them away completely.
Finally, Mada Shades broke her gaze from Ruby, her eyes flicking over to Adrian and Karl, a polite smile tugging at her lips. "If you enjoyed the cookies, I’d be happy to have so packed for you. Perhaps you could take them on your way out?" Her voice was soft.
Karl, without missing a beat, flashed a grateful smile. "Thank you, Mada Shades! You’re very kind. Maybe you could pass on a little of that kindness to Louis here," he said, dabbing at an imaginary tear. "I felt genuinely sorry for you, seeing how he’s out here... harming your reputation."
At this, Louis let out a loud, dramatic wail, "Aaaaaaaah!" His chubby cheeks flushed, and he stomped his foot before running toward the staircase. Halfway up, he turned to glare daggers at Karl, a pout on his face, but before he could muster another coback, he burst into more tears and dashed up the stairs, disappearing around the corner.
—To be continued...🪄
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