Chapter 83: Not The First Time
Theo instantly pulled Daisy to his side, his arm tightening around her as if shielding her from whatever came next. His stance was rigid, eyes sharp, the air between them charged.
Evelyn, breathless and wide-eyed, rushed over to Camellia. "Move your hand!" she barked at the security. "What the hell—"
She didn’t finish her words. Her eyes landed on Theo’s bleeding hand, and her face paled. "What happened...?" Her brows knit together, panic flooding her voice.
"Nothing. Now, can you please take your daughter away? I think we’ve had enough for the day," Theo said flatly, his gaze locked on Evelyn.
"No, no... let’s go to the hospital first." Evelyn reached for his hand, but he pulled it back before she could touch him.
"I’m fine. Just get your daughter out of here. And you—" his eyes flicked to security, "mark her face. Don’t ever let her into this house again." With that, he turned away without a second glance.
Evelyn’s lips parted as if to protest, but Theo didn’t give her the chance. He stepped toward Daisy, his hand briefly resting at the small of her back before he guided her away from the scene.
Behind them, Camellia let out a sharp scoff, yanking her arm free from security’s grip. "This isn’t over," she spat, her voice dripping with venom.
"Stop it!" Evelyn snapped from beside her, the sudden sharpness in her tone making Camellia flinch. "You—" She bit her lip, trembling with fury. "We’ve done everything for you—raised you, given you everything, even paid for your treatments to help you get better! And this is the second time you’ve tried to harm him! Why?!" Her voice cracked as she grabbed Camellia by the shoulders and shook her. "That’s my son! My son!"
Camellia’s lips trembled, but no words came out. Her chest rose and fell in shallow bursts, her eyes darting away as if the truth might be written somewhere on the floor.
"I don’t care what Richard says this time," Evelyn pressed on, her voice shaking with both rage and hurt. "You’re going back to the , and don’t you dare dream of stepping foot in this country again until you are completely sane!"
Camellia’s eyes went wide, and she jerked back. "No! I’m not going anywhere!" she shouted, but Evelyn had already seized her arm, dragging her toward the door. The heels of Camellia’s shoes scraped against the polished floor as she twisted and pulled, hurling curses under her breath.
They were almost at the entrance when, in one swift, desperate motion, Camellia’s free hand shot out. Her fingers wrapped around a heavy decorative vase perched on a side table. Before anyone could react, she swung it hard, the ceramic cracking against the side of Evelyn’s head with a sickening thud.
Evelyn’s gasp was cut short as her knees buckled. The vase slipped from Camellia’s grasp, shattering against the floor. Gasps and shouts erupted from nearby, and security lunged forward.
The whole surrounding went into a deep silence after the crack.
"Mom!" Theo’s voice thundered from halfway down the stairs. He was already sprinting down, but Camellia’s eyes darted toward the entrance.
Before anyone could grab her, she bolted.
"Stop her!" Theo’s roar shook the air. "Run after her!"
Two guards immediately gave chase, weaving through startled guests as Camellia shoved her way out the door. Theo didn’t even glance at them again; his attention snapped back to Evelyn, who was now slumping into the arms of a security officer.
Blood glistened along her temple, stark against her pale skin. Theo’s jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. "Get her to the hospital—now!" His voice left no room for argument.
Daisy, who was still frozen midway on the stairs, could only tremble in fear. In one short span of time, everything had spiraled—voices raised, glass shattering, people scattering. Her fingers gripped the railing so hard her knuckles whitened.
’Is this what he’s been experiencing all this time?’
The chaos below seemed like a scene ripped straight out of a nightmare. Security rushed to obey Theo’s orders, the maids whispered in frantic tones, and somewhere in the distance, the echo of pounding footsteps marked Camellia’s desperate escape.
Theo’s gaze swept upward, catching hers for the briefest moment. There was no warmth in it, only cold, unshaken determination, the kind that made her heart lurch.
"I’m going to the hospital, stay home!" he shouted from below before rushing out, Evelyn cradled tightly in his arms.
She stood frozen, trying to digest everything until Lily, the maid, appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"Madam... let me bring you to your room," Lily said gently. "Or perhaps a glass of water to calm yourself?"
Her legs gave out, and she slumped against the step, her body leaning heavily on the railing.
"Be careful, Madam!" Lily gasped, hurrying up the stairs toward her.
Daisy tilted her head to look at her, lips drained of color. "How long have you worked here?" she asked quietly.
"Hm... since I was eighteen. I guess a little over three years, Madam," Lily replied politely, her hands hovering nervously as if afraid Daisy might collapse further.
"Then... has this kind of situation ever happened before?" Daisy’s voice was faint, but the weight in her words made Lily’s knuckles whiten on the rail.
Lily hesitated, her gaze flickering toward the other maids gathered at the top of the stairs. Their eyes were fixed on her, silent but sharp, a clear warning not to say a word.
She swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. "Perhaps... it’s better if we talk in your room, Madam."
"Why? Is there something wrong with you telling me this kind of thing?" Daisy frowned, struggling to stand before glancing in the direction Lily had been looking. "Is this some kind of big secret you all have to keep your mouths shut about?"
"It’s not like that, Madam. It’s just... Mr. Richard Kingsley told everyone not to speak of what happened three years ago. Only those who remain in the house know the details," Lily finished in a whisper, her eyes darting nervously to the maids lingering nearby.
"Then tell me everything...now."