Chapter 292 - Lovely Afternoon (2/2)
Grabbing a brandy by the neck, Auntie Martha hurled towards Rona Co. It flew past behind the lady, hitting the wall before it smashed into crystallized pieces.
It didn't take long before the smokey and woody aroma of liquor aged in an oak barrel permeated in the air, and it made Olivia's senses heighten.
Yes, her Auntie Martha was a little out of the ordinary, but she was never violent. So whatever Rona Co was here for, it sure was bad news for their clan.
Rushing to her aunt's side, Olivia hugged her. Auntie Martha's c.h.e.s.t heaved with every breath she took. She didn't know if her aunt could last until the end of their conversation with Rona Co.
Snapping her head towards Rona, Olivia wished she asked for more back-up. They were dealing with a witch anyway, and the best way to kill a witch was to burn her at a stake.
”That sorry excuse for a human being ruined our family and she just won't stop until she has everything.” Auntie Martha's veins adorned her neck as she spouted words filled with hatred towards Rona Co.
”Auntie,” Olivia snapped her aunt from her fit of rage, hugging her tighter. Snapping her attention to Rona, Olivia spoke, ”Go ahead and be gone with it.”
Olivia might have spoken in a calm tone, yet deep inside, her blood was boiling. She grew up with Rona Co, and she knew that lopsided grin on the headmistress's face meant she had the upper hand in the situation… but not for long.
Sliding an envelope on the table, Rona Co held her chin up. ”Your father and I got married in private a day before we lost our child,” she announced.
”Color me surprised. As expected from a snake.” Olivia's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. Still standing up, Olivia braced both of her hands on the backrest of the sofa in front of her. She tipped her head to the side as if she was reminded of something. ”And what could be in the envelope? A prenup? Transfer of Deed?”
”Power of Attorney… for now,” Rona trailed off. ”Your father suffered a cardiac arrest this morning… unfortunately. And in the event that he dies, well, I'll receive the biggest pie in the box.”
”Go ahead. You can keep it.” Olivia jutted her bottom lip out. Not an ounce of care could be heard from her voice. Shaking her head, Olivia tutted. Olivia pushed herself off the sofa and exhaled loudly. ”So you just want to show off that you got what you wanted. That's it?”
”That's it.” Rona Co bared her fangs and disbelief painted her face. How could Olivia put little regard on her family's legacy? Look at Martha! She was a mess after finding out that Rona Co now had controlling shares in Lin Prime Holdings.
”Thanks for keeping me in the loop, Stepmother.” A wicked smile ghosted Olivia's face. She pushed herself off the couch and straightened her back. ”How about we get some fresh air, pop a bottle of wine to celebrate, and welcome you in our family? Right, Auntie?”
”You won't even slap her or pull her hair, Livi?” Auntie Martha sobered up in no time. She didn't know when did her niece get a heart transplant. Why was the Olivia beside her compassionate on an enemy? It didn't feel right.
”Auntie,” Olivia mouthed. She shook her head in a no. ”Go on. Tea is waiting for us outside,” she urged her aunt who willingly followed her instructions. But just as they reached the sliding doors towards the garden, they heard Rona Co yawn behind them.
”Don't bother about it. Who knows what's inside your tea,” Rona Co declined the kind gesture and stood up from her seat. Ironing her skirt with her hands, she eyed Olivia and Auntie Martha from head to toe. ”I kind of expected that your reaction is boring, Olivia. What I wasn't ready for, was how it almost killed me.”
”You know your way out,” was what all Olivia said. She shifted her attention back to her aunt and spoke, ”I told them to steep a hangover tea for you.”
The two continued to walk away from the grand area and ignored Rona Co's stomping. Looking over her shoulder, Auntie Martha saw that Rona Co was finally out of her sight, so she angrily yanked her arm away from Olivia.
”I cannot believe it. You just let her walk away like that,” Auntie Martha exasperated. It was the first time she saw disappointment cross her aunt's face and Olivia wanted to doc.u.ment it.
Scrunching her nose, she crossed her arms over her c.h.e.s.t, and posed, ”Who said I did?”
”I do. I just saw her walk like a free man.” Auntie Martha pressed her fingertips on either of her temples. ”She stole from us. She. Ruined. Your. Family.”
”I know that, you don't have to repeat it.” Olivia dropped her arms, ignoring her aunt's glare filled with dismay. She pulled out a chair, gesturing to her aunt to sit on it.
Auntie Martha didn't fight back and plopped down on it. Her head was spinning in circles anyway. Soon, a cart filled with pastries and sandwiches for their afternoon tea rolled in.
Knowing her aunt's love for listening to classical music for tea time, Olivia did the honor of playing a recording on her phone.
Soft music notes danced as Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 played in the background. Auntie Martha closed her eyes and inhaled the melodic ensemble. She thought to herself how it was a good thing she had too much alcohol that morning.
But the longer the music played, the weird it got. She tipped her head to the right, wondering if she was just hearing things. ”Darling? Can you hear that? Someone's screaming.” Auntie Martha's eyes opened as round as saucers. She slowly craned her neck to Olivia, her hand flying to her agape mouth.
Auntie Martha broke out in a hysterical laugh, her c.h.e.s.t heaving with p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e as screams and growls in the background tickled her imagination.
When the screams died down, Olivia inhaled the fresh country scent in Lin Estate and turned the music off. ”Lovely afternoon, Auntie. Nurse that hangover and we'll see each other soon.” Olivia stood from her seat and exchanged air kisses with her aunt.
”Has Henry's tiger been fed?”
”It is. Apparently, the poor boy discovered a snake for a snack.”