Melody's movements were deceptively graceful as she rose from Diego's lap. She glided towards Rosemary, extending a hand with an almost regal air. The gesture was intended to appear gracious, a benevolent offering of friendship, but the underlying message was clear: she held all the power in this interaction.
As Melody grasped Rosemary's hand, a sharp hiss escaped the younger woman's lips. But even as pain flickered across her face, Rosemary plastered on a strained smile, attempting to maintain the facade of composure.
"Big bro, Mum, Dad, I will show her around," Melody announced sweetly as she and Rosemary began to walk away from the group.
The moment they were out of earshot, Rosemary's carefully constructed mask shattered. The polite demeanor vanished, replaced by a venomous sneer.
"You bitch! You are nothing but an adopted daughter!" Rosemary spat, her voice laced with bitterness and resentment.
Melody didn't even bother to react with feigned hurt. She simply reached into her sleeve and pulled out a delicate handkerchief, meticulously wiping her hands as if she'd just touched something deeply unclean. The gesture was calculated to maximize Rosemary's discomfort, to emphasize the chasm between them.
Then, with a sudden and unexpected burst of force, Melody kicked Rosemary squarely in the stomach. The younger woman gasped, doubling over in pain as the wind was knocked from her lungs. Before Rosemary could recover, Melody seized her chin, forcing her to look up into her crimson eyes.
"So what?" Melody sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
"My brothers, parents love me. You are just an illegitimate daughter. My dad hasn't even ever touched your whore mum," Melody finished, her voice a low, venomous hiss. The words were deliberately cruel, designed to inflict maximum emotional damage. She savored the look of utter devastation that spread across Rosemary's face, the carefully constructed world she'd built crumbling around her.
Melody didn't release her grip, maintaining the pressure on Rosemary's chin. Her crimson eyes burned with an unsettling intensity, radiating a coldness that sent a shiver down Rosemary's spine.
"You think blood makes you worthy? You think being born of Jasper Montgomery grants you some inherent right to respect and affection? You are mistaken," Melody stated flatly, her voice devoid of any emotion.
"Loyalty, devotion, that is what matters in this family. And you have none of it."
Rosemary, entangled in a thorny rose bush, struggled to her feet, her clothes torn and her skin scratched. A furious glare burned in her eyes as she looked up at Melody, who simply yawned, utterly unfazed by the younger woman's distress. The casual indifference was almost more infuriating than any overt act of aggression.
"Darling host! You did so well! Plus, you earned a whopping health point!" TangYuan chirped excitedly from within Melody's mind.
Melody crossed her slim arms before her, a sigh escaping her lips. The mission was proving to be surprisingly draining.
"Remember this Rosemary," Melody said, her voice regaining its cool composure.
"People in this estate listen to me."
Rosemary, fueled by rage and humiliation, ignored the pain in her body and straightened up as much as possible.
She pointed a trembling finger at Melody, her voice shaking with suppressed fury.
"You… you think you can just dictate to everyone here? You're an imposter! A fraud! You don't belong here!" Rosemary spat, her words laced with venom.
Melody's crimson eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't rise to the bait. She simply tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Oh, but I do belong here, Rosemary," Melody replied softly, her voice dangerously calm.
"More than you could ever imagine." She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing.
"This estate has been in the Montgomery family for generations. Its people are loyal to the Montgomery name, not to some… illegitimate claim."
Melody drifted back to her opulent bedroom, the drama with Rosemary fading into the background as she sought refuge in the familiar comfort of her digital world. She settled onto her plush chaise lounge, a sigh of contentment escaping her lips as she opened her laptop. The vibrant colors of the online game beckoned, promising an escape from the complexities of family politics and manipulative missions.
A yawn stretched across her face as she slipped on her noisecanceling headphones, shutting out the lingering echoes of the day's events. The immersive soundtrack filled her ears, transporting her to a fantastical realm where she could be someone else entirely – a powerful sorceress, a fearless warrior, anything but Melody Montgomery.
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to Melody's tranquil retreat, Rosemary found herself confined to a lavish but undeniably restrictive guest room.
"I am an heiress!" Rosemary snapped, her voice laced with a petulant fury. She didn't even bother to mask her disdain as she slapped the servant across the face, the force of the blow sending a jolt of shock through the quiet room.
The servant, though visibly shaken by the unprovoked attack, maintained a professional composure. Her expression remained neutral as she replied.
"Miss Rosemary, Madam Audrey, Master Jasper, and Lady Melody have all stated that this room is yours, and you also have access to a walkin closet."
Rosemary's arrogance only intensified with each perceived slight. The lavishness of the room felt like a mocking gesture, a paltry offering compared to the luxuries she believed were rightfully hers.
"A walkin closet? Is that all? I want everything that Melody has!"
Melody, engrossed in her online game, was making her way down a hallway when she heard the raised voice and the unmistakable sound of a slap. A flicker of annoyance crossed her face as she paused, recognizing Rosemary's shrill tone. Rolling her eyes, she abandoned her leisurely stroll and approached the scene.
She gently grasped the servant's arm, Kathy, preventing her from saying anything further. Kathy looked at Melody with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension.
"Lady Melody, I was just showing her around and she…" Kathy began hesitantly, clearly unsure how to proceed.
Melody cut her off with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"It's okay, Kathy," Melody said smoothly, her voice radiating an effortless authority that commanded attention.
"You work so hard; don't bother with this ungrateful person."
Melody's gaze then shifted to Rosemary, her crimson eyes locking onto the younger woman with an icy intensity. The playful façade she'd maintained earlier vanished, replaced by a chillingly detached expression.
"Rosemary," Melody said, her voice low and laced with a subtle threat.
"You seem to have forgotten your place." She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in the air.
"This house operates on respect and gratitude. Disrespecting those who serve us is not tolerated."
She turned back to Kathy, offering a reassuring smile.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kathy. You may return to your duties." Kathy bowed her head gratefully and quickly retreated, eager to escape the tense atmosphere.
Melody then turned her full attention back to Rosemary, her expression hardening further.
"Consider this your final warning," she stated flatly.