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Fall in Love with the Dominant Billionaire
Chapter 78 Mr. Flynn’s Silver Tongue
Listening to Nancy’s insinuations, Reese remained unflappable, as if the comments didn’t concern her.
Malcolm, sitting in his wheelchair, was dressed in a stark black suit, an aura of dark chilliness emanating from his figure, sending an inexplicable shiver down one’s spine.
His gaze captured Nancy like a hawk seizing its prey.
“So, it sounds like Reese was the one who got under your skin?” Malcolm posited, his words sending a shock through the room. The most startled among them was Reese herself, who couldn’t suppress twitch at the corner of her mouth. Reese, he had said it with such endearment.
To the uninformed, one might think they were the epitome of marital bliss, given the fondness in his voice.
Justin Chabon was utterly dumbfounded. One would never guess Mr. Flynn, who seemed as impassive as stone and utterly clueless about romance, let alone public displays of affection, had a penchant for sweet talk.
Nancy was genuinely thrown off by his use of ‘Reese‘, casting a puzzled glance at Dahlia Brooks for some kind of explanation.
Dahlia Brooks shared Nancy’s bewilderment. Hadn’t it been said that Reese didn’t fit well with the Flynns? Treated worse than the staff, and her–a girl from the backwoods with nothing but looks to her name–how could she compare to someone like Dahlia, who had been groomed in high society since birth?
Seeing Dahlia’s blank expression, Nancy realized she wasn’t going to be of any help. But Nancy wasn’t one to be easily intimidated by Malcolm’s words or presence.
“It’s hardly about getting angry. Reese isn’t my flesh and blood, so it’s normal she might take liberties in how she addresses me. However, as for her hitting her sister, that’s something I, as her stepmother, must address. If she starts throwing punches at other Flynn family members, it would reflect poorly on us Brooks–we’re supposed to have better manners than that.”
Today, Nancy intended to play the role of the elder, and no matter what Malcolm argued, it was only natural for an elder to discipline their own kin. Her status as matriarch trumped even the influential background of the young Flynn heir.
But she had underestimated Reese’s importance to Malcolm. In his book, no one was allowed to mistreat his woman. No one.
Malcolm forced a smile that chilled Nancy to the bone.
“I find it curious. Our Reese is normally the gentlest soul you could meet; she wouldn’t even say a dirty word. How is it that Madam, you have driven her to the point of violence today?”
Dahlia Brooks couldn’t help but widen her eyes and blurt out, “Gentle? Not cursing? You must be-”
She was about to spill everything but a sharp look from Malcolm silenced her. Subconsciously, her mouth snapped shut.
Malcolm stepped forward, wrapping Reese’s slightly cool hand in his warm, broad palm as he fixed his gaze on Nancy’s face.
“I would have addressed you as mother, following Reese’s lead,” he began, “but since Reese herself isn’t keen on that, ‘ma’am‘ will have to do. Even Reese’s patience has its limits when it comes to the way she’s been treated here.”
Nancy was on the verge of losing her mind with frustration.
“When have we ever mistreated her?” She retorted. “Rather, he’s the one who showed disrespect to his elders right off the bat and even had the nerve to lay a hand on Dahlia. Mr. Flynn, you don’t need to speak for Reese. Raised in Backwoods, how could she possibly understand decorum? I don’t expect her to be as sensible as Dahlia; I just hope she doesn’t cause any trouble.”
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Chapter 78 Mr. Flynn’s Silver Tongue
“Undisciplined?” Malcolm’s mouth tightened in visible displeasure at Nancy’s words.
“Why don’t you have your staff recount what just happened then? eager to see who’s actually at fault. If it turns out to be Reese, I, Malcolm, will personally apologize for her. But if it’s not, then I can’t stand by and let my wife be wronged unjustly.”
Seeing Malcolm’s determination to get to the bottom of this incident made Dahlia Brooks feel uneasy. His presence alone seemed to thin the air around them, commanding everyone’s silent attention.
Dahlia dared not speak again, fearing the weight of his gaze might topple her resolve.
Nancy almost wanted to laugh, thinking about, how everyone was talking about Reese’s miserable integration into the Flynn family. Gossip had painted a picture of a Backwoods girl, constricted by rule and etiquette, constantly making mistakes in the aristocratic household.
Grandpa Flynn of the Flynn household was known for his strict adherence to etiquette; he surely wouldn’t have approved of Reese.
But the rumors, it seemed, were far from reality. Malcolm, typically restrained, found himself openly defending a mere girl against her today.
Nancy couldn’t help her sardonic tone, “I never expected this. Malcolm treating her like she’s some kind of treasure.”
“Am I not supposed to cherish my own wife? Or are you vying for that privilege?” Malcolm shot back, his words sharp and cutting, leaving Nancy visibly shaken.
Nancy tried to shift the focus by mentioning another name: “Malcolm, does Finn Sawyer know how indulgently you’re doting on
Reese?”
Malcolm’s patience had worn thin.
“Ma’am, let’s not waste more time. Have your staff come forward and speak. Once this matter is resolved, I intend to take Reese home. Grandpa’s waiting for us for dinner.”
Nancy was in a tight spot, with no easy way out- admitting she was wrong now would only highlight Reese’s innocence.
–
Glancing at a nearby employee, she motioned discreetly, “You tell us what transpired!”
The staff member, evidently nerve–wracked, was met with Nancy’s persistent eye signals. “I… I saw the eldest daughter strike the second one, be defiant towards the lady, and utter some rather unsavory remarks.”
Malcolm’s gaze was fixed on the staff member with an icy intensity, his features sharp, his entire demeanor exuding grave
seriousness.
“Then spell it out for us. How exactly did the eldest daughter defy her? Are you telling me our lady and the second daughter didn’t exchange a single word when she walked through the door?”
The staff member, shaken by Malcolm’s commanding tone, felt a tremble in their shoulders.
I…”
“If you can’t articulate it, on what grounds do you accuse our Reese of defying the lady first? That’s illogical, isn’t it?”
Malcolm’s presence was chilling and hostile.
Reese couldn’t help but wrap her arms around herself, rubbing her arms
–
– his aura was truly formidable, even she could feel it.
Malcolm’s words, sharp as blades, had significantly undercut Nancy’s earlier arrogance.
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Chapter 78 Mr. Flynn’s Silver Tongue
And now, Malcolm wasn’t about to give them any quarter.
“If you can’t provide specifics, then it’s clear Reese has been wronged Miss Everly, shouldn’t you apologize to our Reese?”
Reese fought to keep her laughter in check although her quivering shoulders might have given her away, but luckily, no one noticed her at the moment.
Standing alone in the past, she never felt undercut, yet now, with someone ready to shield her, it was an unfamiliar feeling, but she found delight in seeing the mother and daughter falter.
Dahlia Brooks was on the brink of exploding, disregarding her image she bellowed, “Why should I apologize to her? She hit me – she should be apologizing to me!”
Nancy tugged at her sleeve, “Enough.”
“Mom…” Dahlia was perplexed as to how Malcolm’s few words had suddenly made Nancy back down.
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