Chapter 119: The principal's Open-Toe Heels Ambush; The Arrogant Maid Only Likes the Young Mistress (3)
"Shia, let’s have a proper talk, shall we?"
Her face was icy, her gaze filled with condescension as if she were looking down on an unworthy subject.
Leaning casually against the kitchen doorframe, Shia crossed his legs and tilted his chin slightly, his relaxed posture a stark contrast to Tia’s lofty demeanor.
Without waiting for his response, Tia launched into her speech. It wasn’t so much a conversation as it was a one-sided, domineering declaration.
"Last time was just a misunderstanding. You’d better adjust your attitude."
"My loyalty lies with the young mistress; you have nothing to do with it."
"Don’t bother me again in the future."
"And now, you can leave."
After delivering her piece, Tia didn’t even pause to hear Shia’s response. Her eyes, filled with disdain and disgust, regarded him as if he were nothing more than filth.
It was as though their roles had reversed, and she was now the one in control.
Shia raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. Was this "the sassy maid" making a comeback? Had she forgotten his ability to put her in her place?
He didn’t move to leave, instead casually flicking his fingers as if he had all the time in the world.
"Oh? Speaking to me like that? Did someone forget how they were begging last time?"
His tone was slow and teasing, laced with a hint of mockery.
Tia’s mind immediately conjured the stormy night she desperately wanted to forget. Her face paled, her composed façade crumbling as panic flickered in her eyes.
"What… what are you trying to do?"
The sharp question died on her lips as her gaze darted toward the door, her voice dropping several notches.
"I’m warning you. Don’t try anything, or I won’t hold back."
Shia’s smirk deepened.
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"If I remember correctly, it was you who called me that time, wasn’t it?"
"And didn’t I tell you long ago to remember your place?"
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
"Is this the attitude a maid should have toward her master?"
Tia’s nerves were already frayed, and the sudden proximity made her flinch and step back.
"Is this how a maid is supposed to act?"
He advanced another step.
Tia’s mind was spinning, memories of that night overwhelming her. Her legs trembled and nearly gave out beneath her, though she stubbornly tried to hold her ground.
But the narrow kitchen left her nowhere to retreat. After just a few steps, her back hit the counter behind her.
Shia seized the moment, firmly gripping her shoulders and turning her around, pressing her against the counter with ease.
Tia’s panic surged. A dreadful feeling of foreboding filled her chest.
His hand held her down, forcing her forward. Her silver hair fell over her shoulder, swaying as she struggled.
Her hands instinctively braced against the counter, but Shia’s grip was too strong. Her wrists were quickly captured and pinned behind her back.
Shia pressed Tia's body down with even more force, his dominance leaving her with no room to escape.
Enveloped by his presence, Tia's overwhelming sense of disgust surged uncontrollably, her feelings of defiance blazing in her eyes despite the panic etched across her face. She refused to crumble, her proud and unyielding spirit shining through even in such a vulnerable position.
Even in this vulnerable position, she radiated the cold dignity of an untouchable ice queen.
Shia leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear, his voice low but cutting.
"You think I’m interested in you? Don’t flatter yourself. This is just payback for your young mistress."
Tia froze. Her body stiffened as his words hit her like a bucket of ice water.
His breath tickled her ear, warm and unsettling, but it did nothing to stop the chill spreading through her.
Shia chuckled softly.
"Let’s not forget—you wanted revenge on her too. We’re just using each other, aren’t we?"
Revenge on the young mistress.
Yes, that had been her thought.
But why was Shia seeking revenge as well?
Her gaze shifted toward the sitting room, where she could see through the glass window. The golden-haired young mistress, with her radiant curls and flawless beauty, was fawning over someone else.
Even though the recipient of her attention wore a frosty expression of impatience, the young mistress remained enthusiastic.
Tia’s heart ached as something inside her crumbled.
It wasn’t the first time she’d witnessed such a scene, nor the first time she’d known.
But seeing it again, the bitterness and betrayal weighed heavily on her.
She had given so much, been so loyal, and this was what she got in return?
"Umm"
A soft sigh escaped her lips, the sound tinged with resignation.
Her defiance dimmed, and a shadow seemed to grow in her eyes.
Noticing her struggles had ceased, Shia grinned.
From the sitting room, Lilith’s attention was caught by a faint sound from the kitchen. She turned her head toward the slightly open sliding door.
From her vantage point, she could only see a corner of the kitchen.
Tia was standing by the table, a cloth in one hand as she tidied up.
But something seemed off.
Why was she swaying slightly, as though unsteady on her feet?
Despite her active imagination, Lilith couldn’t bring herself to connect the dots to anything inappropriate. To her, it just seemed… odd.
"Tia, are you okay?"
Tia raised her head, her watery eyes meeting Lilith’s. They were brimming with unsaid words as she slowly shook her head.
Lilith’s concern deepened.
"Are you sure? You don’t look well. Are you feeling sick?"
It was just light housework—why did Tia look so frail and unsteady?
Panic rose in Tia’s chest. If the young mistress came over to check on her, everything would be exposed!
But Lilith didn’t approach, though her concern was genuine.
Tia’s heart swelled with emotion.
The young mistress 'does' care about me!
Look, she’s worried about me.
Her lips trembled as she lowered her head, her voice shaky but audible enough for Lilith to hear.
"Young mistress, I… I’m fine. I’ll be okay soon."
Her words were so heartfelt that she nearly teared up.
Lilith, still feeling uneasy, kept staring at Tia for a while longer. Once she was sure that everything seemed fine, she finally turned her head back.
And Tia continued taking care of Shia.
Tia’s blush deepened, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her grip on the table tightened, her knuckles white as her body shook.
To Lilith, the matter seemed resolved. Tia might have looked unwell, but she appeared capable of managing.
For Lilith, it was a win-win situation—she received gratitude and devotion from Tia with minimal effort, all while having Shia around as a buffer to help her connect with other beauties.
Even as Lilith continued her flirtations, she remained blissfully unaware of just how much she had already lost.