Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
But in the eye of the storm, Serena remained unruffled. She opened her mouth to speak, but Nicholas’s voice cut through the tension.
“The flowers I gave you-someone stole them?”
Serena blinked, turning to find Nicholas watching her with a furrowed brow and a dark, unreadable gaze. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She hadn’t expected him to care about something so trivial, and the warmth in her chest surprised her. “She only took half of them,” she replied softly. “I handled it myself, and didn’t want to bother you. You’ve already got so much on your plate.” Her gentle words softened the atmosphere, causing those nearby to waver.
Nicholas’s elegant hand, resting idly on the armrest, curled ever so slightly. His next glance at May was as cold as frost. “Given what you’ve done, Madam only docked your pay for a few months. That’s already far too lenient.”
May, desperate, turned to Lady, still in tears. “Lady, please…”
Ever since her grandson was diagnosed with a terminal illness, Lady had devoted herself to prayer and a vegetarian diet. Hearing May’s tearful story just now, she couldn’t help but sigh and furrow her brow. “Nicholas, it’s just a few flowers-let it go. And the porcelain Madonna can always be replaced…”
Nicholas’s tone was cool and unyielding. “She stole from her employers, destroyed their property, and then tried to frame someone else. Rosewood Manor can’t tolerate that kind of behavior. Since she made her choice, she has to bear the consequences there’s no getting around that, no matter how sorry her story sounds.”
Lady knew well enough that playing the victim would never soften Nicholas. The man was infamous for his icy heart.
Serena could see he was standing up for her, and the thought made her heart flutter. Still, she didn’t want Nicholas and Lady falling out over someone as insignificant as May. Discreetly, she tugged on Nicholas’s sleeve, signaling him to let it go, then turned to Lady with a composed expression.
“Grandmother, May is a compulsive liar. You can’t believe a single word she says.” Lady’s frown deepened.
May opened her mouth to protest, but Serena’s cold, steady gaze cut her off. “You said your father’s disabled, your mother’s terminally ill, and your brother needs money for school? Funny, that’s not what I heard.”
Serena’s voice was crisp and clear, echoing through the room. “From what I know, both your parents are perfectly healthy-they spend their days gambling and living large. And as for your brother, unless my memory fails me, he graduated high school two years ago and never made it into college. What schooling does he need money for?”
May’s face drained of color. She stared at Serena in disbelief.
How did the new Mrs. Nicholas know so much about her family?
Of course Serena knew-she was drawing on memories from another life.
“Is this true?” Lady’s shock was palpable. She never expected a servant to lie so brazenly, especially to her face.
Serena nodded, her expression gentle and innocent. “It’s true, Grandmother. If you don’t believe me, feel free to have someone look into it.”
“N-no, Lady, I-I’m not lying…” May stammered, panic overtaking her. But the guilt in her eyes was impossible to hide. Anyone could see the truth.
Clearly, Serena’s words hit the mark.
Lady’s indignation grew-she felt humiliated, especially in front of the new daughter-in-law. Flustered, she threw up her hands. “Nicholas, you handle it however you see fit!”
As soon as Lady sided with her, Serena finally relaxed.
It was only then she noticed a strange, lingering warmth on the back of her hand. Looking down, she realized she was still holding onto Nicholas’s sleeve. He was watching her hand, his eyes shadowed and unreadable-was he pleased, or annoyed?
With a start, she let go, pulling her hand back in a flash.
He lifted his gaze, those deep, glacial eyes locking onto hers.
Serena tucked her hand behind her back and flashed him a dazzling, innocent smile. “What’s wrong, darling?”
“…Nothing.”
Was it just her imagination, or did she catch a fleeting note of disappointment in his voice?
Neither of them noticed Lady watching with raised brows, surprise flickering across her face.
Darling?
That’s what the new bride called him? And Nicholas actually answered?
Promising, Lady mused, her eyes quietly sizing up Serena. There was an unmistakable intimacy between the couple that made her heart quicken with hope.
If only the girl’s character held up…
Lady’s thoughts drifted to Alice’s complaints-the stories of Serena’s bold, unruly behavior since arriving at Rosewood Manor. Lady’s frown returned, troubled by the memory.
Serena noticed Lady’s gaze on her, but she didn’t let it bother her.
Straightening her shoulders, she met Lady’s eyes without flinching, then glanced down at May, who was still crumpled on the floor. Almost without thinking, she tugged at Nicholas’s sleeve.
“What should we do with May?”
Nicholas’s eyes lingered on his sleeve where her hand rested. Against his dark shirt, her pale, slender fingers stood out; he was seized by an urge to turn his hand and catch hers in his. For a moment, his large, well-shaped hand twitched, but he forced the impulse down, keeping his composure.
His voice was low and indulgent. “What do you want to do?”
Serena didn’t notice the brief flicker of emotion in him. Hearing his question, she immediately began her complaint.
“I gave her a chance yesterday. I told her if anything happened again, being thrown out of Rosewood Manor would be the least of her worries. She didn’t listen -she ruined the gift your grandmother gave you, then tried to pin it on me. That’s just too much!”
Nicholas nodded. “Mm.”
“I don’t think kicking her out is enough. We should call the police and let them handle it.”
Even a child knows that when there’s trouble, you call the police!
Nicholas agreed, “Alright.”
“Huh?” She turned to him, surprised at how readily he agreed. “Did you even hear what I said, darling?”
Why did he seem so distracted?
Nicholas finally looked away from her hand, his handsome face calm as ever. “You’re right. We’ll do exactly as you said.”
“Mr. Salerno! I’m sorry, I really am!” May’s strength seemed to drain out of her; this time, the tears were real. The jade pendant alone looked priceless-how could she ever afford to pay for it? Was Serena really going to send her to jail?
Nicholas’s brow furrowed, a flash of irritation in his eyes.
Logan, noticing that his boss was being disturbed, made a subtle gesture.
Immediately, two men stepped forward and dragged May away.
Only then did Nicholas turn to Lady, his voice gentle. “Grandmother, what brings you here all of a sudden?”
Serena’s eyes flickered. She found it odd as well.
The jade pendant had been delivered by someone else; Lady clearly hadn’t planned on coming by. And yet, here she was, arriving at the very moment May tried to frame her. The timing was almost too perfect.
Lady was holding Alice’s hand, her tone warm and affectionate. “Alice came to see me just now-she mentioned you, and I started to worry, so I thought I’d come check on things myself.”
Alice?
Serena raised her eyes and glanced at Alice, a feeling of inevitability settling in. So that’s where May found the nerve. To break the jade pendant Lady had given Nicholas-Serena would never believe Alice hadn’t encouraged her.
Just as she was thinking this, Lady’s gaze shifted and landed on her.
“So this is the young lady from the Greco family? Quite a lovely girl.”
Her tone held a note of surprise. When the idea of a marriage alliance with the Grecos had first come up, it was out of desperation-a hope that Cecilia’s daughter would be a decent match.