I was still trying to figure out why Lando's favorability had jumped by +10 percents. Seriously, ten points for a single smile? That felt a little too much!
Still, I didn't have time to stand around and overthink it. He seemed like the kind of man who valued discipline. If he said I had five minutes to meet him, then I'd better be there in exactly five minutes or risk being left behind.
Maybe he wouldn't be cruel enough to leave me behind, but honestly, I wasn't about to test a wild tiger.
I immediately started shoving clothes into a suitcase. Honestly, I couldn't care less, since none of these clothes were even mine. But as I stuffed them in, I realized how pathetic Helcia's wardrobe was.
There was not a single piece that reflected the status of a daughter from a prosperous family.
Her bedroom wasn't much better. It was tucked near the housemaids' quarters, only worse because hers was right next to the wet kitchen, so it was constantly filled with the smell of food whenever the cooks were working.
And to top it all off, there wasn't even an air conditioner. Just the thought of spending another summer in Velmont, especially in the capital, without one made me cringe.
The room itself was barely bigger than a box. A single bed, one shabby cupboard, and a small vanity, that was it. At least it made it easier for me to dig out important documents, like her school certificates and birth certificate.
Thankfully, my ID card hadn't been ruined in the accident. At least that meant I could head straight to the marriage bureau without wasting time filing a loss report.
Five minutes later, I forced the suitcase shut with all my strength. Packing in such a rush was frustrating, and Helcia only had this one old suitcase to begin with, but the sooner I got out, the better.
Dragging it along behind me, I headed out. In the living room, Gideon and Addison sat in silence, glaring at me with pure disdain. They didn't even bother to say a word.
Maybe Lando's earlier assurance—that their business ties with the Brixtons would remain safe—was enough to keep them from picking another fight with me.
After all, no one in this house liked me. Even the housemaids and other workers looked at me with nothing but contempt.
"Oh, Helcia, so you're finally leaving?"
I let out a heavy sigh when I saw Madeline had just walked in. She slid her sunglasses down and stood tall in the entryway.
"I can't believe your crippled fiancé actually wants to pick up trash like you." Her eyes swept over me, pausing on the faint scars still lingering on my face. She curled her lip in disgust. "Ugh, you're just as ugly as the last time we met."
Just as I tried to step past her, she grabbed my hand and shoved her phone in front of us to take a selfie. "Come on, smile. I want to let my fans know that you finally—"
I grabbed her phone before she could finish her sentence and hurled it to the floor.
Crack!
Unexpectedly, the screen shattered, but I didn't feel even a shred of guilt. Instead, I lifted my chin and gave her a cold smile.
"Well, look at that. Guess your precious fans won't be getting their little update today."
Madeline's face twisted in shock and rage, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air.
"You fucking cunt!" she screamed. "Have you lost your fucking mind?! That's my new phone!"
I just shrugged and gave her a little shove to the side so I could head for Lando's car, which was waiting not far from the front door.
See? He wasn't that cruel after all. Even though I was sure I'd kept him waiting longer than five minutes, he hadn't left me behind.
"Are you fucking deaf?!" Madeline suddenly pulled my hair from behind. "How dare you smash my brand-new phone?!"
I pushed my heavy suitcase against her foot, making her hiss in pain and finally let go of my hair.
"You love flashing your money in my face, so just buy another one," I hissed. "Don't act like some homeless beggar."
I had no intention of wasting more time on her, so I rushed forward while she was still rubbing her foot where the suitcase had hit.
But Madeline clearly didn't know the meaning of giving up. She hurried after me, but I ran faster. The moment I spotted Lando's bodyguard, I shoved my suitcase into his arms and said sweetly, "Please get rid of that dog for me, thanks!"
Without waiting for anyone to open the door, I pulled it myself and threw my body inside the car.
Through the window, I stuck my tongue out at Madeline while the bodyguard held her back. Her face turned redder than a tomato, and I almost laughed because of it.
"You're late."
That deep voice startled me so badly I slammed my back against the car door. "Holy shi—don't scare me like that!"
Lando raised an eyebrow, his ocean-blue eyes narrowing slightly. He sat comfortably in his wheelchair, the van's wide interior giving him plenty of room. "Five minutes," he said flatly, tapping the face of his watch. "I thought you could at least follow simple instructions."
I pouted, rubbing my back where it had hit the door. "Come on, I wasn't that late. Besides, I had to fight off a demon witch on my way here."
"Demon witch?" His brow arched higher, his tone as dry as desert sand.
I jerked my thumb toward the window, where Madeline was still being held back by the bodyguard. "See? Proof. And trust me, she bites."
For the briefest moment, I swore I saw his lips twitch like he was fighting a smile, but then it was gone, replaced with his usual unreadable expression.
Before he could say anything else, I pulled out a piece of candy I'd found in Helcia's room. Don't worry, I was pretty sure it was safe, since she seemed to snack on them all the time.
"Here, have some sweets," I said, grinning. "They'll make you happier."
I honestly didn't understand why his expression was always so cold. He didn't smile or laugh, not even when he was talking to other people.
He even tried his best not to smile at my joke earlier.
"I don't like sweets," Lando said flatly. "They're bad for blood sugar."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. Just because you're old doesn't mean you automatically have diabetes." Without giving him a chance to argue, I slipped the candy into his shirt pocket. "Just take it. Who knows, maybe you'll need it later."
This time, he glanced down at the candy, then backed up at me. His gaze lingered just a moment too long before he muttered, "You're unusually stubborn."
I smiled brightly. "Get used to it. You're marrying me, after all."