The Love From Vengeance

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.

asked the

the room with a mocking tone. “Oh, Luke, you really don’t understand, do you?” she said, her

my tone sharp. “But I need to know why

don’t care about your feelings,” she said dismissively.

of anything

into a knowing grin. “Money is everything, Luke,” she replied confidently. “Money is power.”

with a serious expression. “That’s a lie,”

nerves. “You know it yourself, Luke,”

“I used to have respect for you,” I admitted, and my voice was filled with regret.

in the same room as you

echoed in the room, grating on my nerves. “Oh, sweet child,” she said mockingly. You’ll come to realize

end.”

to be my

brought out immediately, snapping

I said lowly and

fool yourself. You love money as much as

it out. There’s no way

“Oh, shut up.”

I spat back.

sharply, her

like a knife.

gaze with a steely resolve. “Put an end to your rude

lips curling into a contemptuous sneer. “You’re just a little kid compared to me,” she spat harshly.

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.

in their depths. “Don’t start talking nonsense,” she

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

“What kind of question is that?” she demanded, her tone bordering on outrage.

I replied calmly, refusing to back down. “Especially

and

tilted my head, a fake smile playing on my lips as I raised an eyebrow. “Right

man you