Natalia paused, then said lowly, "Because you're Archie's aunt and considering that you took care of him when you were young, I've kept up my manners with you. But I'm a relatively strange person and I don't like people meddling in my private affairs. If you must, please forgive me for disagreeing with your methods. Also, Pinewood Manor is my home. If you must come, please notify me beforehand. As for those antique vases, I didn't know that they'd been your gifts, but don't worry. I just had people put them away. If you want them, I can have them send them back, each piece as it was."
And then she really had people go and collect those vases.
Faye's face contorted with rage.
"Don't play dumb with me, Natalia! Do you think I'm talking about the vase? I'm saying you don't deserve Archie! You're just an ignorant woman who knows nothing. You really think you're somebody now that Archie cherishes you. You think he'll cherish you forever? I'm telling you, there's only one matriarch of the McCarthy family, and that's..."
"Faye!"
A clear bark came from the doorway.
Followed quickly by Archie striding in.
Seeing him, Faye swallowed her words and turned her expression one hundred and eighty degrees around. Her original glare turned into a smile as she greeted him.
"You're back, Archie?"
Archie frowned harshly.
"What are you doing here?"
Seeing his unfriendly face, Faye forced a chuckle.
"Nothing. I just passed by today and stopped to look around."
Pausing, she added, "I just saw her take down the antique vases I gave you from before and got a little uncomfortable at the idea, so I was a bit heavy with my words. I didn't mean anything by it, but your wife's speaking of it like I want to take them all back, it's just..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear.
Basically, she found Natalia petty.
As a senior, she still had to care about Natalia's mood?
Archie shot her a look.
"I had people put those vases away."
Faye started.
Natalia opened her mouth to say something, then shut it.
Reacting, Faye laughed awkwardly.
"Is that so... seems like it was a misunderstanding, then, haha... I thought it was Natalia who put them away! You're probably too young to appreciate this sort of old-fashioned bauble. If you don't like it, I'll bring some other ones another time."
Archie cut her off. "No need for that."
He took up Natalia's hand.
"Was there anything else? If not, you should head back soon. Natalia and I are both tired and want to rest."
Faye's smile stiffened again.
After a while, she nodded.
"Nothing else. If that's the case, I won't interrupt your rest. I'm leaving. Goodbye."
She slunk off.
As Faye left, Natalia looked at her receding back, frowning.
Thinking she was still unhappy about what happened, Archie sighed and explained, "She's just that type of person. Don't take it personally. I'll put people on watch next time so she doesn't barge in."
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