I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 815

I snapped out of my thoughts and fixed Mary with an icy glare.

Before, as a Lancaster daughter-in-law, I might have tolerated her shouting. But now, we were less than strangers. Did she really think I would just stand here and take it?

A cold smile touched my lips, my eyes full of mockery.

"You don't need to worry about that. Before he 'wakes up,' I'll make sure to swindle all his money, bankrupt the Lancaster Group, and then have you thrown out of the family."

"But I'm not completely heartless. If you have nowhere else to go, I might consider hiring you as a maid in my house. So, I suggest you enroll in a housekeeping course now. Learn a useful skill so you won't end up destitute."

Mary was trembling with rage. "You… you're dreaming! I would never…"

Before she could finish, I cut her off. "And as for that useless son of yours, he can't do anything right. He'll probably end up begging on the streets…"

At the mention of her precious son, Mary's face turned ashen. "You dare curse Thomas? I… I'll kill you!"

With that, she lunged at me like a wild animal, her hand raised to strike.

I knew she would be furious, but I didn't expect her to attack me. As her hand came flying towards me, I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut.

But the expected sting never came. I opened my eyes to see a tall figure standing protectively in front of me.

It was Steven!

Wasn't he supposed to be upstairs? Why did he come down? Did Uncle Julian see him? Panic seized me.

Steven leaned down slightly, his expression tense as he looked me over.

"Are you okay? Did she hurt you?"

I snapped back to reality. Even though her slap hadn't landed, my expression was ten times worse than before.

I would have rather taken the hit and paid her back double later than have Steven reveal himself here.

Before I could speak, Mary froze. "Steven, you… how are you here?"

She glanced from the mansion to Steven and back again, unable to believe he had just walked out of my house.

Steven gently stroked my hair. "Don't be scared. I'm here now. It's okay!"

I frowned. Dealing with Mary had been manageable, but now things had escalated. How was I going to explain this to Uncle Julian? If I could, I would have shoved Steven right back upstairs.

Steven pulled me behind him, his gaze dark and menacing as he stared at Mary.

"Who gave you the nerve to lay a hand on Zephyra?"

His words made me pause. It had been a long time since I'd heard him use such a glacial tone, and for a moment, it felt unfamiliar.

Mary flinched. "Steven, how can you talk to me like that? You have no idea how awful Zephyra was just now! She cursed your brother, saying he'd end up a beggar."

Then, Mary's eyes lit up as she raised her voice.

Mary looked horrified, her voice trembling. "You… you can't do this! Your father will never agree!"

I froze, understanding exactly what Steven meant.

He called it retirement, but it was just a prettier way of saying he was exiling them overseas, putting them under watch, and forbidding them from returning. It was no different from house arrest.

I never thought Steven would go this far.

If the shareholders found out about this, there's no telling what kind of rumors they'd leak to the press.

Steven was capable enough to contain it, but it would still have some impact.

Seeing that Steven was serious, Mary panicked. "I, I came here today without your father knowing! And I wasn't here to see her! I came because I couldn't find you, so I just stopped by to ask!"

Her voice grew quieter and quieter, all her previous arrogance gone.

I knew what she was afraid of. Her husband was incompetent but had a massive temper and ego. If he found out they were being sent abroad because of her, he would be furious, and her life would become miserable.

"Stopped by?" Steven's tone was skeptical. "You mean you tried to hit her 'just in passing' as well?"

Mary stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence. "Steven… I'm your elder, after all… you…"

Steven cut her off coldly. "I'm not in need of elders."