303: CUTTING THROUGH LUKE’S POV So while my great–aunt descended the stairs, her presence filled the room with an air of unwelcome authority. Dressed in a blue dress that accentuated her ample figure, she approached with deliberate steps, and I couldn’t muster a friendly look. “What do you want now?” I asked, my tone devoid of warmth as she drew near. She glanced around, her eyes narrowing at the disorderly scene before us. “Your house is a mess, Luke. Those little children have caused chaos everywhere.” “I know,” I interjected sharply, cutting her off before she could continue. “The children will clean it up.” She offered a fake smile, and I couldn’t help but bristle. “Is there anything else?” I asked, my patience wearing thin. She shook her head, still smiling. “I just came to remind you of your place in this house.” I sighed heavily. “You should stop talking nonsense,” I retorted, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “When will you ever change?” Despite my irritation, she chuckled softly. “I’ll keep reminding you that I am the owner of this house.” “And I’ll keep telling you that you’re talking nonsense,” I shot back, refusing to back down. “But I’m not kicking you out. You can do as you please, but I know your evil plans won’t succeed.” Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “We’ll see about that,” she said cryptically before turning to leave. “Wait,” I said, sort of loudly, and she halted before turning around.” ves, my dear child?” The fake smile was still etched on her round face. “Don’t call me that. I don’t need you faking a smile or putting on an act.” “Go to hell,” she spat before turning around. 303 CUTTING THROUGH “I just have to ask,” I uttered, causing her to freeze. “Why do you hate me so much? “You want an answer to that?” She turned to me. “That’s why I asked the question, right?” As my great–aunt chuckled at my question, her laughter filled the room with a mocking tone. “Oh, Luke, you really don’t understand, do you?” she said, her voice dripping with condescension. “I have better things to do than waste my time explaining myself to you.” I clenched my jaw, frustration mounting with every word she spoke. “Well, so do I,” I retorted, my tone sharp. “But I need to know why you insist on being so rude to me every single time.” She tilted her head, with a smirk playing on her lips. “Oh, sweet child, I don’t care about your feelings,” she said dismissively. “All I care about is getting this mansion and taking what’s rightfully mine.” I shook my head in disbelief. “Can’t you think of anything else besides money?” I asked, my voice tinged with disappointment. Her smirk widened into a knowing grin. “Money is everything, Luke,” she replied confidently. “Money is power.” I met her gaze with a serious expression. “That’s a lie,” I stated firmly. She laughed, the sound grating on my nerves. “You know it yourself, Luke,” she told me with a mocking tone. “Money rules the world.” I shook my head, feeling a surge of frustration and disappointment. “I used to have respect for you,” I admitted, and my voice was filled with regret. “But I can’t even stand to be in the same room as you now. Her laughter echoed in the room, grating on my nerves. “Oh, sweet child,” she said mockingly. You’ll come to realize that money is the only thing that matters in the end.” “That used to be my thought.” “Exactly,” she brought out immediately, snapping her fingers. “Not anymore,” I said lowly and coldly. “Oh, Luke, my child. Don’t fool yourself. You love money as much as I do.” “Yes, I love money. But that last part? Scratch it out. There’s no way I’ll go against my blood all because of money.” “Oh, shut up.” “Not happening,” I spat back. “Shut up,” my great–aunt retorted sharply, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. I straightened my posture, meeting her gaze with a steely resolve. “Put an end to your rude behavior,” I shot back, refusing to cower under her oppressive presence. She scoffed, her lips curling into a contemptuous sneer. “You’re just a little kid compared to me,” she spat harshly. I squared my shoulders, refusing to back down. “Even so, you should still have some respect for yourself and for your late brother,” I countered. My voice stirred with a hint of accusation. Her eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint flickered in their depths. “Don’t start talking nonsense,” she snapped. “Why not?” I challenged her, meeting her glare head–on. “Have you ever loved my grandfather?” I queried, and my voice cut through the tension like a blade–a sharp one, indeed a two–edged sword. She glared at me, incredulous. “What kind of question is that?” she demanded, her tone bordering on outrage. “I just want to know,” I replied calmly, refusing to back down. “Especially since you keep causing trouble in the mansion.” “Have some manners!” she snapped, and her voice rose with frustration. I tilted my head, a fake smile playing on my lips as I raised an eyebrow. “Right after you, my lady.” “What a stupid man you are. 303 CUTTING THROUGH “I’m sorry. Say what now?” I pretended like I didn’t hear, taking my hand to my car. But the least I could expect her to do was to repeat that. Because, trust me, there was no way she was going to spit it back. “You idiot!” she snapped. You’re just a fool enjoying your grandfather’s wealth. You don’t own this mansion.” “How exactly?” I quizzed, raising an eyebrow. “You never worked for any of this, but yet you were given the wealth. Something that clearly belonged to me.” “Okay, okay, you are mistaking. I worked hard; I don’t have to keep saying the same thing repeatedly. And you should do the same. Stop lying to yourself; you own no dime around here.” “But I gave your grandfather money to start his business.” “Yes, and I already brought this out to you. Tell me how much you gave to him, and I will give it to you as soon as possible.” “To hell with you and your money!” “I thought you loved money.” I shot her a comeback, tone low, smirk on the face. “I don’t want you giving me anything,” my great–aunt retorted defiantly, her voice dripping with disdain. “I’m not going to be begging you for anything.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at her audacity. “I don’t wish for it to happen,” I replied, a smirk playing on my lips. “But if you do die, well, you’re going straight to hell.” Her eyes blazed with fury, and she shot me a venomous glare. “I’ll be joining your father there,” she spat, her words laced with malice. A surge of anger coursed through me at the mention of my late father. “Don’t you dare bring him into this?” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. But my great–aunt only laughed, a hollow sound that echoed in the room. “He was just as pathetic as you,” she sneered, her words like poison–tipped arrows aimed at my heart. I clenched my fists, struggling to contain the rage bubbling inside me. “You have no right to speak ill of him,” I seethed, my voice trembling with suppressed emotion. 303 CUTTING THROUGH She smirked, a cruel twist of her lips that made my blood boil. “Oh, but I do,” she taunted, crossing her arm. “And I can still say the same about your grandfather. After all, he was my brother.”
