Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
If she left Rosewood Manor, how would she ever get close to Mr. Salerno?
Mary’s face was dark as storm clouds. She tried to soothe her daughter. “Don’t worry. I’ll call Lady Margaret right now. There’s no way Serena will be so high and mighty in front of her.”
Seeing Alice’s still-swollen cheek, Mary gave a cold snort. “Don’t bother with the ointment. Since she dared to hit you, why were you too scared to show Lady Margaret?”
Serena wasn’t the least bit surprised when she heard from the housekeeper that Lady Salerno had arrived; she’d expected Mary and her daughter wouldn’t just obediently stay put.
Descending the stairs, she saw Mary and Alice had already rushed out to greet Lady Salerno first.
Alice, her face swollen to a shocking degree, was sobbing pitifully in front of Lady Salerno.
Lady Salerno’s eyes widened in anger. “Who did this to you?”
“It was Serena!” Alice wailed, her voice trembling. “She hit me, and now she wants to throw me out-she says I can’t live at Rosewood Manor anymore!”
No sooner had Alice choked out her accusation than Serena stepped gracefully down from the landing.
Lady Salerno’s expression turned cold and grave.
Both Mary and Alice exchanged triumphant glances, gloating silently. This is it for Serena, they thought-she’s finished now!
Serena braced herself, ready for the onslaught.
But then Lady Salerno looked straight at Alice and asked, in a tone closer to certainty than curiosity, “Serena hit you? And what exactly did you do to deserve it?”
Serena blinked. Wait, what?
Alice’s tears froze on her cheeks. “Excuse me?” she stammered, wondering if she’d misheard.
Lady Salerno frowned. “Why on earth would Serena strike you for no reason? You say she wants to kick you out-do you really expect me to believe she’s picking on you out of the blue?”
Alice was stunned speechless. Even Mary was momentarily lost for words. Wasn’t Lady Salerno here to take Alice’s side?
Serena, recovering from her surprise, couldn’t help but hide a small, delighted smile. For a moment, she felt almost cherished.
She’d been sure that, given Mary and Alice’s standing, Lady Salerno would demand answers from her, maybe even scold her on Alice’s behalf. She never expected the old matriarch to trust her without hesitation.
Feeling lighter, Serena approached. “Grandmother, Alice insulted me, that’s why I hit her. She snuck into my room to steal from me, so I wanted her gone. I’m not punishing her for nothing.”
“Is that true?” Lady Salerno turned immediately to Mary.
Mary hesitated, floundering for a denial-but Serena had the video proof. There was no way out.
Lady Salerno’s frown deepened. “You called me all the way here, saying Alice was being bullied, and I thought someone had truly wronged her. Now it turns out she’s brought this all on herself. What exactly am I supposed to do?”
In her mind, Mary and Alice had some standing in the household, but Serena? She was Nicholas’s wife her grandson’s happiness depended on her.
Nothing was more important to her than her grandson, and any woman who could make Nicholas act like a human being again deserved her trust, not her suspicion.
Mary and Alice looked utterly lost.
“Lady Salerno…?” Alice’s voice was small and uncertain.
Mary’s eyes filled with tears at her daughter’s plight. Suddenly, with a soft thud, she dropped to her knees. “Please, Lady Salerno. Alice is my only child. I can’t bear to see her hurt. For my late husband’s sake, please forgive her just this once!”
Serena’s smile faded.
Everyone in the family knew Mary’s husband had given his life to save Lady Salerno. With Mary playing that card, what could Lady Salerno possibly do?
“Get up,” Lady Salerno said sharply, her brows knitting together. “Honestly, what century do you think this is? Get off the floor.”
She was clearly displeased, but the fact remained-Mary’s husband had died for her. Sighing, Lady Salerno relented. “Fine. Let’s chalk this up to Alice’s immaturity this time.”
Mary and Alice’s faces lit up with hope, realizing Elder Mrs. Salerno was letting Alice off the hook.
But before they could celebrate, the old lady continued-
“But Alice shouldn’t stay here anymore. Move her to the guest house,” Lady said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Alice’s smile froze instantly.
Rosewood Manor was enormous, and next door stood the guest house-but everyone knew that was reserved for the staff.
Until now, Alice had been the exception. Living in the main residence set her above the other servants, earning their attention and flattery. If she was made to move out, what would they think of her?
“Lady, please-!” Alice’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
But Lady had already turned to Serena, asking gently, “Serena, what do you think?”
Her voice was warm and patient.
Serena understood that Lady hardly knew her and was only being kind because of Nicholas. She didn’t want to put the old woman in a difficult spot, so she smiled and said, “Grandma, I don’t mind at all.”
Whether Alice was thrown out completely or just sent to the guest house, the humiliation was the same. Seeing the color drain from Alice’s face, Serena couldn’t help but feel a quiet satisfaction.
Lady seemed equally pleased with her answer. She nodded approvingly. “Alice, did you hear that? Serena is gracious enough to let you stay on the estate. You should thank her, then go pack your things.”
Alice nearly choked on her indignation.
She had to thank Serena?
Serena smiled at her, clearly waiting for Alice to speak.
Alice’s shoulders shook with frustration, but under Lady’s watchful gaze, she could only swallow her pride and mumble, “… Thank you, ma’am, for your generosity.”
Serena simply nodded. “Good. Off you go.”
Alice’s mother dragged her back to their room, and as soon as the door closed, Alice broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. “Mom, I don’t want to move to the guest house! That’s where the staff live! How can I stay there?”
The more she thought about it, the more she realized something was off. Serena had been far too prepared for all this.
“She did it on purpose, Mom! Serena set me up! She knew I’d try to steal something!”
She’d had a copy made of the drawer key in secret. Now, thinking back, it made no sense-Serena wouldn’t just leave the key lying around if the contents mattered. She must have known. She’d wanted Alice to walk right into the trap. But now, realizing it was all for nothing, Alice could only sob harder.
Mary’s heart ached for her daughter, and her hatred for Serena grew deeper. After settling the matter with Mary and Alice, Lady didn’t leave immediately.
She turned to Serena. “Mary told me you and Nicholas went to the courthouse?”
Serena blushed. “Yes, we did.”
Lady’s expression bloomed into a delighted smile as she took Serena’s hand. “Wonderful, wonderful! I thought Nicholas would wait until he could walk again- turns out he just couldn’t wait!”
Lady had never been especially fond of Serena, but seeing her now, she looked more and more pleased. If Nicholas was this eager to marry her, the girl must truly mean something to him.
“Take good care of each other,” Lady said, her eyes twinkling. “And give me a great-grandchild soon, will you?” She glanced, not-so-discreetly, at Serena’s stomach.
A great-grandchild?
Serena’s ears burned. She lowered her eyes, not sure how to respond.