Chapter 126: Matriarchs and Ruins
Aveline hadn’t arrived at the café seeking confrontation, nor had she entered expecting to be humiliated by Eleanor.
After hitting her, Eleanor said, "You’ve brought shame to the Ashford name. And I don’t care whose daughter you are, this war is not over."
Aveline didn’t flinch, despite the pain spreading from her cheek. She could walk away from there and let Eleanor do whatever she wanted. But she was neither that arrogant nor weak.
She pulled up a chair and sat down. The buzz in the cafe dulled. Their eyes flicked towards the glowing red mark on Aveline’s cheek, stark against her porcelain skin.
She didn’t touch it, she didn’t break down into tears or get angry. That unnerved them more than the slap itself.
Eleanor, still standing, looked down at Aveline, momentarily thrown by the girl’s calm poise.
Aveline merely stated, "Madam Ashford, the war began the day YOURGRANDSON began toying with my life."
Eleanor’s hand tightened around her cane, knuckles pale. Driven by her deep-rooted emotions toward the Ashford family, she watched Aveline distastefully.
Aveline crossed her legs and leaned back on the chair. Then she looked at the old lady, "After you ran away from here to be safe from your grandson, after what you just did to me, tell me who has a bit of honor in the Ashford family?"
A flicker of shame flashed through Eleanor’s eyes, quickly masked by fury. Her shoulders rose, chest tightening with the effort to control herself. "Aveline Laurent..." She snapped, hearing Aveline insult her outright.