Chapter 61: My Lioness
Present time:
The sharp crack of Layla’s slap echoed through the Rosenzweig mansion’s living room, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Orabela’s hand flew to her cheek, her wide eyes filled with disbelief. The force of the blow had not only shocked her but everyone else present.
Lucius stood casually by the entrance, his hands resting in his pockets, watching the scene unfold with an amused glint in his eye. His lips curled into a small smile. "My lioness is finally acting the way she should," he murmured, pride gleaming in his gaze.
"Layla!" Miriam and Darius yelled simultaneously, their voices filled with shock and outrage.
Darius help his mother to the couch, while Miriam stormed toward her daughter, her face twisted in disbelief.
"Why the hell did you slap her?" Miriam demanded, standing face to face with Layla. "After everything we’ve done for you, this is how you repay us?" She spat the words like venom, her anger burning through every syllable.
Layla, unshaken, met her mother’s furious gaze head-on. "The favors you speak of were nothing more than chains," she responded coldly. "This slap is for the endless lies and manipulations I’ve endured from Orabela. You’ve all allowed her to spread poison, and I’ve had enough."
At that moment, Lady Agatha, seated near the fireplace, interjected with her usual scornful tone. "Now do you see what kind of woman Layla truly is?" she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "All these years, I warned you. This is the girl you raised—ungrateful and insolent."
Just then, Seraphina entered the room, having heard the commotion from down the hall.