Chapter 79 Not Sincere Enough, Try Again
But, for Dahlia to apologize to Reese? That was out of the question. As the second Miss of the Brooks family, born into prestige, why should she apologize to someone like Reese?
Malcolm’s intent seemed to be to see this through to the end, which spooked Dahlia, especially his dominating presence that seemed to thin the air around them.
Dahlia didn’t dare make another sound for fear of Malcolm’s gaze sweeping her way again, as she might not be able to hold her ground.
Nancy realized she was in a situation akin to riding a tiger–difficult to dismount without losing face. Admitting they were wrong about Reese now would only make it seem like they had been unjust to her in the first place.
“Go on, apologize to Reese already,” someone urged.
“I won’t apologize!” Nancy retorted. “She hit me first! Does being a Flynn mean you’re above everything? Even the Flynns have to make sense!”
“Of course they should, though I’m afraid later you might not see it that way.”
Reese, silent up to that point, suddenly stepped forward, pulled out her phone and played a recording.
Nancy’s and Dahlia Brooks‘ voices filled the room, their words about Reese’s mother and grandmother dripping with such malice it could only be described as biting.
Their expressions immediately transformed into a vivid mix of shock and horror. No one had anticipated that Reese was so well- prepared, going as far as to have an audio recording.
Malcolm’s lips curled into a sly, sinister smile, “Ready to apologize now?”
Dahlia Brooks bit her lip, her face the picture of discomfort.
“I…”
Nancy nudged Dahlia Brooks. They were reluctant but left with no choice–if Malcolm truly lost his temper, they couldn’t handle it. And when Kenneth found out they’d crossed Malcolm, they’d be in for far worse.
“Quick, do it. Otherwise, when your dad gets back, he’ll have a go at us again,” Nancy whispered urgently to Dahlia Brooks.
Though she was inwardly rebellious, Dahlia Brooks dreaded the thought of Kenneth docking her allowance over this.
Pouting, she very reluctantly apologized to Reese with a murmured, “I’m sorry.”
Nancy, aiming to smooth things over with a smile, said, “There now, it’s all good. It’s normal for siblings to have a little spat now and then, no need to take it so seriously. We wouldn’t want to ruin their relationship.”
“Hold up…”
Malcolm spoke again, startling Nancy. Her smile froze as a bead of cold sweat trickled down her forehead. They had apologized; wasn’t that enough? Was he really going to be that unforgiving?
She smiled stiffly, “Malcolm, is there something else?”
“That wasn’t sincere enough. Do it again,” Malcolm replied with a cool, compelling tone that left no room for objection.
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Chapter 79 Not Sincere Enough, Try Again
Dahlia Brooks felt a surge of anger, incredulous as she stared at Malolm.
“Do it again? I already apologized! Are you doing this on purpose?”
“If your initial apology had been sincere, you wouldn’t need to do it gain,” Malcolm responded with an icy chill in his voice, as if it were laced with a biting wind.
Dahlia Brooks felt tears threatening to spill as she grasped Nancy’s hand tightly.
“Mom…”
“Just listen.” Nancy said helplessly, her heart aching. Who would’ve thought Reese would be enough trouble, but now there was Malcolm – and he was not someone they could afford to offend.
Dahlia swallowed hard, then turned to Reese with an earnestness that hadn’t been there before.
“Reese, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bad–mouthed you, let alone insulted you. Please forgive me.”
Reese’s fair and delicate face bloomed with a radiant smile as she replied with ease, “It’s okay, Dahlia. Big sis won’t hold a grudge.”
Dahlia’s lips trembled, her eyes shooting daggers at Reese. If only Malcolm wasn’t there, she wouldn’t have held back her fury.
Malcolm finally seemed to have enough, and told Reese, “Let’s head back.”
“Wait for me, darling. I need to grab something from upstairs.”
Reese seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, almost gleeful even speaking to Malcolm with more warmth than usual.
“Sure.”
Malcolm’s patience with Reese was strikingly apparent.
When Reese came back down, Malcolm politely addressed Nancy, “We’ll be taking our leave now.”
Nancy managed a strained smile. “Say hello to Finn Sawyer for me, and I’ll make sure to visit another day.”
Once Malcolm and Reese were gone, Nancy’s forced smile crumbled, her eyes flashing with venom. With a sweep of her hand, she sent teacups crashing to the floor, her voice rising sharply.
“That girl set a trap for me!”
She was humiliated in front of her staff today, gaining no favors and losing face as Mrs. Brooks.
Dahlia’s sense of injustice grew, her hand still on her burning cheek, tears welling up.
“Mom, we can’t let Reese walk all over us. We need to find a way to get back at her.”
“She slapped me and Malcolm mocked me. I feel like I’m going insane, Dahlia fumed.
“Don’t worry. Even if you didn’t ask, I would’ve handled it. I used to think Reese was just a simpleton, but seeing them together, they’re cunning. Had I known Malcolm would be this triumphant, I should have arranged for you to marry into the Flynn family. Look at Reese now–being pampered like a princess.”
The more Nancy thought about it, the less she could contain her indignation.
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Chapter 79 Not Sincere Enough, Try Again
Malcolm was nothing like the washed up, nearly dead figure rumors had painted him to be evident; he radiated a kind of inner light that made him stand out, spite of his paralysis.
quite the opposite. His vitality was
Dahlia Brooks, on the other hand, was running out of patience. She wanted to see action, and her mind was spinning with plans. “Mom, isn’t Finn Sawyer’s birthday bash just around the corner? Sing Malcolm is so fond of Reese, and apparently has a good impression of her, why don’t we seize the opportunity? We can orchestrate a scandal so disgraceful for Reese that the Flynns, for the sake of their reputation, won’t want anything to do with her. On she’s divorced from Malcolm, I can slide into her place. Then, everything the Flynns have will be within our grasp.”
The scheme was enticing, and Dahlia could almost picture Reese’s humiliating downfall.
Nancy couldn’t agree more: “If Reese was reluctant to marry Malcolm in the first place, let’s help her out of her misery.”
Exchanging a glance, both wore a triumphant smirk.
Once Reese was in the car, she curiously asked Malcolm, “What brought you to the Brooks‘ place out of the blue?”
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