Sylvia Jennings was delighted. She loved the idea of Seraphina Sterling being taught a lesson, subjected to mockery and cold shoulders.
"I thought you were quite the talker? Why are you so quiet now? Or is that silver tongue of yours just a ploy to get my attention? Hoping I'll see you in a different light?" Seraphina Sterling didn't need to look to identify that wantonly arrogant and narcissistic voice. 'Looks like I really shouldn't have left the house today. Running into Sylvia Jennings was bad enough, but now Terrence Grant too!'
"Mr. Grant, did you leave your brain at home today, or is it just on strike? Given your intelligence, even if you were thinking with your knees, you shouldn't have arrived at such a laughable conclusion. I truly have no desire to attract your attention. If possible, I'd appreciate it if you'd just pretend you don't see me from now on. I would be most grateful, Mr. Grant."
Seraphina Sterling let out this torrent of words in a single breath, leaving everyone stunned, especially Cole Hale, the owner of The Gilded Lantern Inn. The man was a big shot from Aethelgard, someone before whom even the mayor wouldn't dare put on airs, always speaking with the utmost caution. This girl was truly audacious and reckless.
Terrence Grant didn't get angry at Seraphina Sterling's attitude. On the contrary, he became even more brazen. "You think I'll believe you just because you said so? Besides, this playing-hard-to-get act is useless on me!"
Seraphina Sterling rolled her eyes in exasperation. 'It's really hard to imagine this is the same Mr. Grant from Aethelgard who struck fear into everyone's hearts in my past life! Is it really okay to be this narcissistic?' Seraphina Sterling curved her lips into a slight smile. "Great. Goodbye!" Just as Seraphina Sterling turned around, Willow Hale, who had been enjoying the show for some time, walked over.
"Stop! Did Mr. Grant say you could leave?" Willow Hale wore an equally arrogant expression, but she lacked Terrence Grant's natural air of nobility, making her look more like a brash and domineering rich girl.
Seraphina Sterling's delicate brows knitted together. She said nothing, deciding to wait and see what would happen next.
Willow Hale put on a show of elegance, brushing a strand of hair from her shoulder in hopes of attracting Terrence Grant's gaze. "Mr. Grant, please don't stoop to the level of such riffraff."
Terrence Grant flashed an intriguing smile. Seeing him smile at her, Willow Hale could hardly contain her glee and became even more determined to vent his frustrations for him!
"Seraphina Sterling, at your age, you should be studying, not working in an inn! The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. Like mother, like daughter. You're supposed to be hitting the books, but all you know is how to social climb! Sure, your mother used that captivating face of hers to marry into the Sterling Family, but so what? Wasn't she thrown out in the end? And with nothing to her name, at that?"
"If you had any sense, you wouldn't be coveting the Sterling Family's wealthy lifestyle. You'd keep your feet on the ground and live like a normal person! Your mother's fate should be a cautionary tale for you, not a path to follow! Don't think you can marry into a wealthy family just because you have a pretty face!"
Although Willow Hale was targeting Seraphina Sterling to win Terrence Grant's favor, her words were still dripping with jealousy. The Hale Family couldn't hope to match the status of a powerhouse like the Sterling Family, not even with another decade of growth!
"Are you finished?" Seraphina Sterling asked calmly, as if Willow Hale's tirade of insults hadn't affected her in the slightest.
Willow Hale froze and nodded subconsciously. Seraphina Sterling's reaction was a far cry from what she'd anticipated.
Two sounds, SLAP! SLAP!, rang out as Seraphina Sterling unceremoniously slapped her twice across the face. Willow Hale's cheeks immediately became red and swollen.
No one present had anticipated such a turn of events. They all stared at Seraphina Sterling with wide eyes. Willow Hale was the young lady of the Hale Family, the apple of their eye! And Seraphina Sterling had dared to slap her twice in front of everyone!
"Seraphina Sterling—" Willow Hale clutched a swollen cheek, glaring daggers at her. Her voice cracked with fury, and her venomous expression was horrifying.
But Seraphina Sterling showed not a shred of fear. She even wore a warm smile, though her brilliant eyes were chillingly cold. "Willow Hale, I don't care where you heard all this nonsense, but you'd better keep it buried and let it rot! It's not your place to pass judgment on my mother! If nothing else, she is your elder. Shouldn't you show your elders a little more respect?"
"Everyone says the Hale Family's discipline is strict, but from what I see, it's nothing special! Consider these two slaps a lesson from me on your elders' behalf, to teach you what it means to respect your elders! And what it means to be humble! Don't think you can be so condescending and look down on everyone just because you're the great young lady of the Hale Family! There are plenty of people in this world more outstanding, more beautiful, more capable, and from better families than you. If you keep this up, you'll eventually pick a fight you can't win and bring the entire Hale Family to ruin!"
"Seraphina Sterling! I'm not someone who scares easily! No one has ever dared to hit me before!" With that, Willow Hale swung a retaliatory slap.
But the slap never landed. When her hand was just an inch from Seraphina Sterling's face, Seraphina caught Willow Hale's wrist in a firm grip.
She cast a pitying glance toward Cole Hale and Philip Hale at the side. "Looks like the Hale Family's discipline really is lacking. I was kindly giving you a reminder. It wasn't easy for the Hale Family to achieve its current status. If it's all lost because of you, you'll be the one to blame for your family's downfall! Never mind thanking me, but you actually tried to hit me!"
As Seraphina Sterling spoke, she shook her head, the disappointment in her brilliant eyes particularly stark.
The crowd in the lobby was collectively speechless. 'You slap someone twice and expect them to thank you? And say it so matter-of-factly, too!' Everyone felt like they'd stepped into some bizarre, alternate reality.
Having failed to get her revenge, Willow Hale could only turn a pitiful gaze to Terrence Grant as tears welled in her eyes. "Mr. Grant, look at this woman! She not only hit me, but she's also shamelessly lecturing me! You have to help me!" The sight of her shimmering tears, paired with her soft, aggrieved voice, instantly caused a surge of chivalry in nearly every man present. They desperately wanted to rush forward and put Seraphina Sterling in her place on Willow Hale's behalf.
Terrence Grant, however, was the exception.
"And who do you think you are, to presume I'd lift a finger for you?" Terrence Grant didn't even give her a single glance.
Willow Hale froze, her hand hovering awkwardly mid-air as she was about to wipe a tear, a truly comical sight. However, Terrence Grant's next words made her want to spit blood.
"Cole Hale, Seraphina Sterling has a point. Your daughter is in serious need of a proper education! Otherwise, you won't even know what hit you when the Hale Family is wiped out."
"Yes! Yes, of course! I'll discipline her strictly when we get home!" Cole Hale bowed and scraped, his attitude utterly reverent.
The situation had taken yet another unexpected turn, and the onlookers were at a loss for words. A mass exodus began as people hurried away. 'Someone even the Hale Family is afraid of is definitely not someone we can afford to provoke! Better to stay far, far away!'
Seraphina Sterling started to leave as well, but before she reached the inn's main entrance, Terrence Grant's voice rang out again. "Did I say you could leave?"