Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 58

Eleanor turned pale, then violently red under the older woman's reprimand. She bit her lip, still bristling with indignation. "Mom, you know she hasn't been around! I just wanted her to cook one simple meal. Is that really such a crime?"

Julian quickly stepped in to run interference again. "Grandma, please calm down. Mom didn't mean anything by it."

After defending his mother, he turned back to Hazel, his expression noticeably hardening. "If Mom asks you to do something, just do it. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"

He stepped closer, firmly placing his hand over hers. Leaning down, he whispered into her ear with a manipulative, coaxing tone. "Honey, stop picking fights with Mom. She's been incredibly stressed lately. If your cooking can cheer her up, just do it. Stop acting like a spoiled child. Be good."

Hearing those words was like taking a bucket of ice water straight to the chest. Hazel looked down at the large, masculine hand resting heavily over hers. Once upon a time, holding that hand was her greatest comfort. Now, the sheer weight of it made her stomach turn.

She lifted her head and stared Julian dead in the eye, her voice completely devoid of warmth. "Is that all I'm good for in your eyes? Just another servant to push around?"

Julian's brow furrowed in deep annoyance. "When did I ever say that? Why do you constantly have to twist my words? You're being completely unreasonable."

Hazel didn't even bother to look at him anymore. She turned to Grandma Hayes, forcing a polite, strained smile. "Grandma, I actually have some things I need to take care of. I should get going. I'll come back and visit when things settle down."

She grabbed her purse and turned to leave, but she froze after a single step.

Someone was standing directly in the grand entryway.

Evelyn Vance was hovering nervously in the foyer, tightly gripping two expensive-looking gift bags as she peered timidly into the living room.

Eleanor eagerly tore into the immaculate packaging. Her eyes went wide—it was an exclusive, limited-edition designer handbag she had been raving about for months.

She beamed, clutching the bag to her chest while grabbing Evelyn's hand affectionately. "You sweet girl! You didn't have to go through all this trouble. You're far too generous!"

She immediately whipped her head back toward Hazel, her voice dropping into a harsh sneer. "What are you standing around for? Go get dinner started so we can entertain our guest!"

Hazel stood perfectly still, watching the older woman switch personalities faster than a light switch. A dry, cynical laugh escaped her. "We have staff to entertain guests."

Her voice was calm but laced with venomous frost. "Or were you hoping I'd start putting the maids out of a job?"