Chapter 34

Chapter34 Putting On An Act

"Stop wasting time and apologize to Greta!" Barry snapped, clearly done with the back-and-forth.He threw Holley a pointed look, silently ordering her to follow. Then, turning away, he called out, "Greta."

Before he could say anything else, Greta's cheerful voice overlapped his. "Would you like some dessert, Miss Marissa Curtis? I made a batch earlier.Care to try some?"

Holley frowned. "She looks perfectly fine to me.Why should I apologize when she's clearly not hurt?"

Her tone stayed even, but the frustration behind her words was hard to miss.

Holley had too much pride to apologize easily,especially to a maid. Barry's response came like a slap of cold air. "Just go." Holley's expression hardened into cold severity as she followed Barry in silence. Marissa, who'd learned to anticipate trouble long ago, lifted her gaze as Holley approached. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

However, Barry stepped forward before Holley could answer. "Mind if I call you Rissa, like Marc does?"

His gentle demeanor and soft-spoken manner gave the impression of a harmless man, though something about the way he held her gaze suggested otherwise.

Marissa stayed calm,refusing to let emotion touch her expression. "Call me whatever you want," she replied.

Names, to her, were just words and nothing worth attaching meaning to.

Compared to Holley, Marissa was clearly the more obedient one, and Barry liked that. He had always favored those who listened. His eyes lingered on her bright face for a moment before he let out a soft chuckle. "Then Rissa itis." Marissa gave a faint smile but didn't engage further. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Holley standing beside Barry with a tense jaw and pressed lips. She could already guess what they were trying to do. The siblings had always been skilled at putting on an act. Her eyes then moved to Theodore, lounging on the sofa, sipping his water with effortless grace, as if even that simple drink was something rare and refined.

"Greta," Barry called out again.

Greta, who was busy arranging snacks on the table, quickly looked up. "Sir, please give me a moment. Your coffee will be ready soon."

Barry's pleasant smile didn't waver as he gently rested his hands on Holley's shoulders. "Holley wants to apologize to you," he said in a smooth tone.

Holley?Apologize?

Greta nearly dropped the tray in shock. She quickly set it down and frantically waved both hands."Please, there's no need! It was just an accident."

She wouldn't dare accept Holley's apology. After all, she hadn't been hurt. Why make things awkward when she could just let it go?

That thought made her glance at Marissa with newfound fondness.

She was her savior, the one who shielded her from danger.

"You heard her," Holley jumped in quickly desperate to close the topic before Greta could change her mind. "She said it was just an accident,Barry."

Barry glanced toward Theodore, but seeing that he wasn't even paying attention made his expression darken slightly.

Finally, Barry let the matter drop. Since Greta had brushed it off, there was no point in dragging it further. He gave a curt nod and let go of Holley's shoulders.

Holley flashed a smug little grin and moved closer to Greta. "So, where's my coffee?"

"It's almost ready," Greta replied politely. Even though Holley had refused earlier, Greta made sure to prepare it anyway; she wasn't about to offend anyone.

Another maid watching from nearby couldn't help rolling her eyes.

To her, Greta's eagerness to please their employers seemed pathetic, as if she had no self-respect. Trying to make an impression herself, the maid straightened up and carried the cup over. She threw a glance at Theodore and pushed out her chest, lowering her voice as she said softly, "Miss Holley Curtis,your coffee." She thought she was being subtle, but everyone in the room immediately caught on to what she was doing.

Holley's smile faded.

Even this nobody dared to try her luck with Theodore now?

Holley said coldly, her voice low and dripping with warning, "Know your place. One wrong move, and you're fired."

The maid froze, her face blanching. Then, quick to recover, she forced a nervous laugh. "What do you mean? I don't understand."

Before Holley could say another word, the maid smartly turned and scurried back to her post.

Holley stared after her, with fury flashing in her eyes. Her grip tightened on her coffee cup,an idea sparking in her mind as the heat seeped into her fingers.

"Marissa," she called sweetly, walking toward her with feigned innocence. "Would you like to try my coffee?"

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, already envisioning how she would make a fool of Marissa before Theodore. Holley's voice turned honeyed and innocent, roy really happy to share treats with you." Then she gasped, her eyes widening, "Oh! Marissa, look out!"

She pretended to stumble, sending the steaming cup flying toward Marissa.