The brutal reality of the threat finally broke her, and she nodded frantically in submission.
Only after Patrick walked away did she dare to move.
She reluctantly peeled herself off the floor, her body trembling.
Molly stared at her, completely terrified.
It was likely the first time any of the staff had witnessed the master of the house physically turn on his wife.
"What the hell are you looking at? Get out of my sight!" Marianne snapped, deeply humiliated and eager to vent her burning rage on the poor maid.
Patrick hurried into the grand foyer.
A young woman dressed simply in a white tee and jeans, her hair pulled back into a high ponytail, lounged effortlessly on the designer sofa.
It was Serena!
A spark of utter delight flashed in Patrick's eyes.
It seemed she had finally come to her senses.
He hurried over, rubbing his hands together as a sickeningly sweet, fawning smile stretched across his face. "Serena, you're finally home! I've missed you to death."
Putting on the performance of a fiercely loving father, he abruptly turned and barked at the lingering staff. "My eldest daughter is home! What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and pour her some tea! Prepare her favorite snacks!"
The staff exchanged bewildered glances, completely baffled by his sudden change in attitude.
Weren't they the ones who had ruthlessly kicked Serena out not too long ago?
They had spent months listening to Marianne curse Serena's very existence under this roof.
Why was he suddenly calling her the eldest daughter again?
And why was he acting so desperately subservient?
"Are you deaf? Move!" Patrick snapped, losing his temper when the maids hesitated.
One of the maids lowered her voice, visibly awkward. "Sir, we... we don't actually know what kind of tea or food she likes..."
Patrick froze, a wave of profound embarrassment washing over him.
He knew Serena had been severely neglected during her four years with the Wynn family.
But he hadn't realized that even the hired help had disregarded her so completely.
He didn't even want to imagine what kind of miserable existence she had endured under his roof all that time.
"Don't bother," Serena cut in, watching his pathetic attempts at groveling with mild amusement. "I only came back to discuss the Wynn Group with you."
Patrick's eyes instantly lit up with wild hope.
She really did want to come back to the family!
It made perfect sense to him.
Now that Hailey was facing prison time, Serena would be the undisputed, sole heiress of the Wynn family if she returned.
Even if she was the legendary Master Queen, her impoverished upbringing would inevitably be exposed.
Wouldn't the elite clientele who practically worshipped her designs feel the brand's prestige was tarnished if they knew she had such a lowly upbringing?
She desperately needed a high-society pedigree to maintain her brand.
The Wynn family was her golden ticket.
Thinking about the massive web of resources and elite connections currently at Serena's fingertips, Patrick practically vibrated with
excitement. "Yes, absolutely!net
I've
been meaning to talk to you about this as well. As you know, the Wynn Group has hit a bit of a rough patch.
If we don't secure new investments or partnerships soon, the company might go under."
"You were raised by this family, so I know you wouldn't just sit back and watch us drown, right? You're on such great terms with the heirs of the prominent families now. Do you think you could put in a good word for us? Just a few lucrative contracts would be enough!"
He stared at her, his eyes shining with naked greed and desperation.
Before Serena could even formulate a response, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall.
Marianne walked in, flanked by her two sons.
"Serena... you're back," Marianne
forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. The moment she saw the girl, she broke into a slight jog to approach her, though her heavily bruised and swollen face made the attempt look utterly comical. "About what happened yesterday with Hailey... it was all just a huge misunderstanding. She's young. She doesn't know any better. Please, you can't hold this against her."