Chapter 2 Thea Slapped Maggie

Within the grand Russell mansion, Thea stood at the entrance, her heart gripped by a familiar mixture of emotions.

This house was once a cherished inheritance from her grandfather to her mother, but eight years ago, her sister and mother met with accidents one after the other. Helplessly, Thea had watched as her grandmother and uncle moved in, taking over the residence with her father's permission.

From that moment, she had been forced to don a façade of obedience, as her father showed no concern for her, and her ailing mother needed her by her side.

Even her future husband had been selected by them, a choice imposed upon her.

Taking a deep breath, Thea cautiously ventured inside. Just before her arrival, the unmistakable sound of high heels echoed through the hallway.

"Where were you last night, Thea?"

Thea felt that her heart rate spiked as an indignant, unpleasant voice reached her ears. Raising her gaze, she saw Maggie Russell, her cousin and her uncle's daughter, standing before her with an air of haughty entitlement.

Maggie had spent the last eight years residing in the Russell mansion, a period during which she began to see herself as the hostess of the house. She had brazenly laid claim to many of Thea's possessions, including the fiancé who had been promised to Thea since childhood.

"Maggie!"

Thea's smile widened in direct proportion to her cousin's fury. "It's still early, dear. Such anger at this hour might lead to wrinkles. And then, Trevor might lose interest in you."

"You witch!"

Maggie exclaimed, her anger unabated. After all, they had discovered Thea's absence from the planned dinner at the hotel the previous night. They had waited for her in vain, only to catch sight of the hickey on her neck.

"What's that on your neck? Have you no shame? At your age, you're already as wanton as your elder sister!"

Thea's smile vanished at Maggie's words. She clenched her fists and demanded in an icy tone, "Say that again, if you dare!"

Maggie, undeterred, sneered, "Thea, don't emulate your elder sister by being both loose and dimwitted."

With a self-satisfied grin, Maggie never saw it coming when Thea's hand swung out and delivered a resounding slap to her cheek. The impact left Maggie stunned and her cheeks flushed. Realizing that she had been struck by Thea, Maggie screamed, "You dare to hit me, Thea!"

Maggie, still fuming, raised her hand, intending to retaliate. However, Thea, who was no stranger to being on the receiving end of such blows, deftly dodged her cousin's incoming slap.

Maggie, seething with rage, was unable to contain her anger. She lunged at Thea, attempting to engage her in a brawl. The commotion echoed up the staircase.

"What's going on here?"

A chilly voice cut through the tumult, causing Maggie to hastily withdraw her hand. When she turned, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Grandma!"

Maggie called out with feigned distress, looking toward her mother, Vanessa Russell. Vanessa was standing beside Nina Russell, who was Maggie and Thea's grandmother.

With slow, deliberate steps, the formidable Nina descended the staircase. Dressed in somber gray attire, she wore a stern expression that seemed to impose an invisible weight upon everyone present. The oppressive atmosphere left everyone standing obediently, their breaths noticeably lighter.

"Grandma!"

Thea greeted Nina, her voice sugary sweet.

"Thea has been behaving shamelessly, Grandma," Maggie complained first. "She slept with another man! We will suffer because of her!"

A fortnight prior, the matriarch of the Reynolds family from Akarough had sought a bride for her son. The Russell Group, facing dire financial straits, had conveniently put forward Maggie's name.

In a timely fashion, Maggie managed to replace her photo with the photo of Thea. Mr. Reynolds had taken a liking to the photo and sent word to the Russell family, saying he had selected her.

Rumors painted Mr. Reynolds as an ugly, disfigured older man with a gloomy disposition. Maggie would rather face death than marry such a man.