The gentle sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a warm glow on the large bed in the bedroom. Aurelia Shaw stretched lazily like a cat just waking from sleep, slowly opening her eyes and taking in her surroundings with half-squinted eyes.
There was no one around.
Strange, she had a peculiar dream yesterday. In the dream, she was tightly embraced by a strong body, a warmth she hadn’t felt for many years.
So much so that upon waking, she was still somewhat attached to that unreal warmth from the dream.
Aurelia laughed softly, habitually caressing the bracelet on her left wrist. The bracelet was made of red string and adorned with a well-crafted piece of Blood Jade, which was extremely precious. This bracelet was a gift from her cousin on her eighteenth birthday. For many years, she had worn it, and during her time in the rehabilitation center, it was her only companion—the Blood Jade bracelet.
People’s emotions often find an anchor in something tangible, and this piece of Blood Jade was her only solace for familial love and the yearning for freedom during those cold, tormented days.
Getting out of bed, she washed up simply and then checked her wounds. They were healing faster than she had imagined!
She hesitated for a moment, abandoned her crutch, and attempted to stand on her own, lightly touching the floor with her toes. One step... two steps... By the third step, her calf began to ache slightly; she dared not try any further and quickly sat back on the bed, exhaling deeply.
She remembered in her previous life, it took more than a month for her life to start recovering. Was this a sign that something had changed in this life?
Whatever, she thought. She’s not going to dwell on such questions after being reborn with such difficulty. What is most important and necessary for her to do now is to change the course of events from her past life. She wanted those who had hurt her to taste the feeling of having their bones stripped and tendons pulled.
It was only eight in the morning, and Mason Nightshade probably hadn’t left yet. Aurelia pressed the call button by her bed:
"Bring breakfast here. I want to eat in the room."
Moments later, she heard a quiet grumble from the other end:
"Why is she up so early today? So annoying, didn’t even prepare her breakfast, and now I have to bring it up. She really thinks she’s the Young Madam."
Aurelia listened to the disgruntled murmurs on the other side and narrowed her sharp eyes slightly.
Half an hour later, the door was finally knocked on, and Auntie Li entered, placing the breakfast on the table and impatiently saying, "Young Madam, please have your breakfast," before turning to leave.
She didn’t even consider helping Aurelia, who had difficulty moving, to the table for breakfast.
Aurelia squinted her piercing eyes and coldly commanded, "Stop!"
Auntie Li halted, stunned for a moment before it gradually sunk in. The overbearing tone just now had been from Aurelia. She didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt a hint of trepidation. She was instructed by Madam to take care of the Young Master, and that wretched woman usually treated her with great courtesy, fearing she’d complain to Madam, always speaking to her in soft tones, never daring to use such a tone. Why had her attitude suddenly changed today?
Auntie Li felt somewhat guilty, but more so she believed Aurelia wouldn’t dare do anything to her, carrying on with a sense of arrogance. "Does Young Madam have any other orders?"
"Bring the breakfast to the bed," Aurelia said coldly.
"The Young Master said that no one is allowed to eat on the bed..."
"Are you the Young Madam, or am I the Young Madam?" Aurelia interrupted her sharply. Her long eyebrows arched, and her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with a deep and profound darkness, her allure intensified as she spoke, her words cold and domineering:
"I respect you for your age and hard work and have been tolerating you, but don’t take my tolerance as your shameless advantage. The Nightshade Family doesn’t need a servant who acts more ostentatiously than the masters. If you don’t want to work, others are eager to replace you. In this household, there’s only one master: me. If you can’t recognize your place, then pack up and get out!"
Auntie Li’s body trembled, too scared even to breathe. She hadn’t expected that the woman who usually cowered in front of her, needing to rely on her, would suddenly assert herself so strongly.
Still somewhat unwilling, Auntie Li put her hands on her hips, intending to threaten Aurelia a bit, making her recognize her place.
"Crash—!" The sharp sound of porcelain breaking suddenly rang out.