The loud slap echoed through the room, leaving everyone stunned. Louis stood still, his hand still outstretched from where he had just ripped the money, his face turning bright red from shock.
Madame Shades’ expression darkened as she glared at her son, disappointment written across her pale face. "Don’t you ever disrespect money like that," she scolded, her voice cold and firm. "If you don’t understand its value, at least have the decency to respect it. And what you did today... I am deeply ashamed." Her gaze shifted to Ruby, and she softened slightly. "I truly apologize for my son’s behavior, Miss Ruby. I hope he hasn’t hurt your feelings too much."
Ruby stood up, her face calm but her eyes sharp. "Of course, he’s hurt my feelings. And I expect some kind of compensation for that," she replied coldly.
Madame Shades’ face hardened as she turned to Louis. "Apologize to Miss Ruby. Now."
Louis’ face was bright red, his eyes filling with tears as he stomped his feet. "I don’t want to! I don’t want to!" he yelled, throwing a tantrum. "Awoooowoooo! Mom, you slapped me for them! I hate you!" His voice trembled with anger. "You’re so bad, Ruby! I’ll ruin you! I swear I will!"
Ruby watched him silently, her expression unmoved. She wasn’t bothered by his words. "Say whatever you want, it won’t bother me," she said, her tone flat and mocking. "You’re just wasting your breath."
The room grew quiet as Louis continued to sob, but Ruby turned her attention to Madame Shades, her voice cutting through the tension. "And Madame Shades, is this how you raise your children? To throw tantrums and act like spoiled brats? A real mother would teach her child some decency."
Madame Shades’ eyes flickered with something darker, but Ruby wasn’t intimidated. She could feel the cold aura of the woman, and something about her gave Ruby an uneasy feeling. There was a sense of mystery surrounding Madame Shades, especially knowing her connection to Ruby’s parents.
Madame Shades took a deep breath, as if trying to control her emotions, and finally forced a smile. "I am sorry, Miss Ruby. My child is simply spoiled," she said, her voice laced with frustration.
Hearing his mother’s words, Louis cried out. "Mom... I don’t want to say sorry! No! No!" His tears were now streaming down his fat face, but Madame Shades’ expression only became more helpless as she glanced at him.
Ruby, however, remained unbothered. "I don’t need his apologies," she said, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "And from the way he acted, it’s clear he’s gone down the wrong path. Madame Shades, I hope you take control of him, or who knows where he might end up in the future." Ruby’s words hung in the air, and Madame Shades blinked in surprise.
Ruby then bent down and carefully picked up the ripped money from the floor, standing tall as she walked towards Madame Shades. Her steps were light, confident.
As she stood before the Madame shades, Ruby’s eyes were unflinching, her gaze locked with Madame Shades’ without a hint of fear.
"Although the money is his, since we’ve already paid off the debt, I believe it’s only fair that I get a return for the mental harm we’ve suffered from his actions," Ruby said, her voice calm yet assertive. "I expect compensation for that."
Madame Shades was taken aback. No one ever dared to look her in the eyes , especially not with such directness. Ruby was different—so different from her parents.
The witch’s dark eyes studied Ruby closely, her surprise clear. This young witch was bold, and not in the same way Ruby’s parents had been. There was something different about her..
The butler, Ford, walked into the room with a tray of snacks and a glass of water, his expression as blank as ever. He placed the tray down on the table and spoke in his usual monotone voice, as if the tension in the room didn’t exist.
"Have snacks," he said, his tone unbothered by the chaos surrounding them.
Ruby gave a small nod, picking up a cookie from the tray. "Thanks," she said, her voice casual. She gestured toward Adrian and Karl, signaling them to take some snacks as well.
Adrian nodded as he reached for a cookie, his eyes still trained on Ruby. He could finally feel that she was different, that she had changed, even if just a little.
Karl, too, was taken aback. He even forgot his destructive thoughts when he saw Louis lying on the floor, crying. He had wanted to do something—anything—to punish the brat, like kicking his fat body... but now, seeing how Ruby had turned the situation around and was trying to get her money back, he couldn’t help but be little bit impressed.
Meanwhile, Madame Shades didn’t break her gaze from Ruby. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was sizing Ruby up. She turned her attention to Ford, her voice stern. "Butler Ford! Get me one note! Be quick," she ordered.
Butler Ford, unfazed, nodded silently and headed upstairs.
Ruby, however, didn’t seem bothered or looking happy her expression calm, almost amused. Her fingers gently traced the edge of the cookie as she continued to watch Madame Shades.
While Ruby and Madame Shades locked eyes, both of them sizing each other up in silence, Adrian and Karl were quietly munching away, polishing off every cookie on the tray and drinking the water as if it was some rare delicacy. Karl, feeling especially pleased, thought to himself, Wow, water from a rich person’s house tastes so much better! He straightened up with a satisfied grin, while Adrian put on his best nonchalant face, pretending he hadn’t just devoured the snacks alongside him.
Ruby, though fully aware of their "sneaky" behavior, simply sighed inwardly. They really thought they were being subtle, but the loud crunching sounds they were making gave them away completely.
Finally, Madame Shades broke her gaze from Ruby, her eyes flicking over to Adrian and Karl, a polite smile tugging at her lips. "If you enjoyed the cookies, I’d be happy to have some packed for you. Perhaps you could take them on your way out?" Her voice was soft.
Karl, without missing a beat, flashed a grateful smile. "Thank you, Madame Shades! You’re very kind. Maybe you could pass on a little of that kindness to Louis here," he said, dabbing at an imaginary tear. "I felt genuinely sorry for you, seeing how he’s out here... harming your reputation."
At this, Louis let out a loud, dramatic wail, "Aaaaaaaah!" His chubby cheeks flushed, and he stomped his foot before running toward the staircase. Halfway up, he turned to glare daggers at Karl, a pout on his face, but before he could muster another comeback, he burst into more tears and dashed up the stairs, disappearing around the corner.
—To be continued...🪄