Chapter 425: The Young Madam’s Inspection of The Gustin Family Villa (4)
The main dining room of The Gustin family’s villa was on the first floor. It was a place of gold and grandeur, astonishingly large, with over a dozen servants present, yet still feeling vast. The dining table resembled a conference table in size, set with uniformly silver tableware. Ten exquisite appetizers were first brought to the table.
Paige observed the immense, opulent dining room, even the carpet beneath her feet was an art piece in itself. She couldn’t help but marvel at the decadence of the wealthy.
She walked to a vase, pulling out a pink flower she didn’t recognize. Its fragrance was strong, with layered petals, blooming beautifully.
Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist.
“I knew you cared about me,” Enrico said smugly from behind, his breath warm against her ear.
Paige stood there, glancing up to see Beau and the other servants immediately lower their heads, feigning complete ignorance of what was happening.
“When did I ever say I cared about you?” Paige’s tone was icy.
“You invited me to lunch, knowing I’d be hungry after watching the drama unfold. Isn’t that a sign of your concern?” Enrico raised his eyebrows.
Paige side-eyed him, wondering how he managed to twist her words so confidently.
“Are you tired from walking around all morning?” Enrico gently massaged her waist, a sincere gesture of care, free from any ulterior motive.
“It’s fine, let’s eat,” Paige replied.
“I’ve asked the kitchen to prepare a variety of dishes; there will definitely be something you like,” Enrico said lovingly, taking her by the hand and leading her to the dining table.
Two servants immediately stepped forward, pulling out the chair at the head of the table and the one closest to it on the left.
Enrico sat comfortably in the main seat. Paige stood still, looking down at him.
“Why aren’t you sitting? Aren’t you tired?”
Enrico looked up at her. If it weren’t for the bet, he wouldn’t have let her walk so much; he’d have had her rest in their new room by now.
Paige tapped the table twice with her knuckles, her expression unchanging. “Get up.”
“What do you mean?” Enrico raised an eyebrow, confused.
“This seat should be mine. Get up.”
Paige’s voice was calm, yet her gaze carried an air of authority.
Some servants couldn’t help but glance up secretly.
What was happening? The young madam just arrived, and she was already asking the young master to vacate the main seat? Was this a joke? Even if it wasn’t the young master, it was a seat for the old master-how could she claim it?
Enrico leaned back, his posture relaxed, and asked, “Since when did you decide this?”
“I didn’t intend to, but after walking around, I realized you don’t deserve this seat. So, move.”
Paige’s tone was cold, devoid of any humor.
Enrico looked at her skeptically, trying to grasp her meaning.
“Enrico,” Paige called his name, her patience thinning.
Enrico’s expression darkened.
More and more servants secretly looked up, hearts racing. Were they about to witness domestic violence? The young master wasn’t someone to be trifled with, and did this young madam really think she could control him?
As the tension thickened, Enrico suddenly slapped the table and stood up.
*Bang!*
The sound echoed through the room.
It’s over. The young madam is done for.
Just then, Jeremy entered the dining room, and the atmosphere was on the verge of explosion. He glanced over and saw Enrico stepping away from the head seat, walking two steps before sitting in a chair further down on the left.
Everyone was stunned.
Had the young master really given up his seat?
Jeremy, witnessing this, thought for a moment that the seat was being saved for him. But when Paige calmly sat in the main seat, he let out a mocking laugh, “This is absurd.”
Enrico didn’t even glance at Jeremy, his gaze fixed on Paige. He wanted to know what she meant by saying he didn’t deserve the seat.
“Beau, please seat the old master,” Paige said without looking at Jeremy.
Beau hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully guiding Jeremy to a seat just below the head of the table on the right.
Jeremy didn’t sit. He looked down at the audacious girl and smirked condescendingly, “What gives you the right to sit in The Gustin family villa’s head seat?”
“Because I let her,” Enrico cut in before Paige could respond.
Jeremy shot a glare at his son. Enrico sat there, meeting his gaze with an unmatched arrogance. “She can sit wherever she wants. If she wants to sit on my head, that’s fine too.”
Paige glanced at Enrico, her gaze softening.
Jeremy was taken aback by Enrico’s words, pausing for a moment before sneering, “You’re really a hopeless romantic.”Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“Don’t worry, it’s certainly not genetic,” Enrico retorted, a mocking smile on his lips.
Father and son stared each other down, the tension at the table rising like flames.
Paige ignored them, glancing at the appetizers on the table. “Beau, please gather all the staff from the estate.”
“All of them?” Beau asked, surprised.
Soon, the room was filled with staff, spilling out through the door.
Jeremy pulled his chair back slightly, refusing to acknowledge that his seat was subordinate, and glared coldly at Paige. “I’m curious to see what you’re trying to do.”
Paige stood at the table, pushing aside her dishes. Beau set several documents in front of her.
Then, she looked up at the gathered staff, standing tall as she lifted a cup of water from the table.
“You all know who I am. Traditionally, as a new daughter-in-law, I should serve tea to the elders. So, I’ll start with this cup.”
Jeremy sneered, “You still consider me…”
Before he could finish, his words froze. Paige tilted the cup in her hand, letting the water slowly spill onto the floor.
This wasn’t serving tea to the living-this was honoring the dead!
Enrico sat nearby, watching the trickling water, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Paige, what are you doing?” Jeremy stood up, furious, glaring at her.
Without paying him any mind, Paige addressed the room, her voice calm but commanding.
“I gathered you all here to let you know-starting today, you don’t need to answer to any ‘old masters’ or ‘young masters.’ In this estate, I, Paige, am in charge.”
“And I, Paige, recognize only one name in this household-Annie Davis.”
Her voice was steady, yet powerful enough for everyone in the room to hear clearly.