Sophia stared at Leo, his face as dark as it could get, and for the first time, fear crept into her heart. Sophia understood that Leo was genuinely angry this time.
Sophia had always been more pragmatic than partial, and she vented her frustration, saying, “You got injured outside, why accuse Nora when you return home? What’s the point of causing unnecessary trouble?”
Martin, who had been standing by, was beginning to regret his impulsive actions. He had let anger cloud his judgment when he didn’t doubt Jessica’s words. Now he realized that Jessica might have falsely accused Nora, because knowing Jessica’s temper, if Nora had truly attacked her, Jessica would have fought back long before Martin intervened.
“Jessica, speak up. What happened to your ankle?” Martin raised his voice.
Jessica maintained a self-righteous demeanor and sneered at the group, saying, “Even my own family doubts me and believes an outsider!”
Seeing Jessica’s indifferent attitude, Leo took out his phone and said, “Since you’re unwilling to explain, I’ll have the property management pull the surveillance footage from outside the villa. I’d like to see if your injury on your foot occurred before you came home or if it happened here.”
Upon hearing Leo’s intention to review the surveillance footage from outside the villa, Jessica immediately grew flustered.
With a quick change of tactics, Jessica resorted to her specialty – crying, making a scene, and playing the victim. “My life s miserable. You heartless people believe a stranger over me!” Jessica’s acting skills were top-notch, and she immediately produced a stream of tears and snot.
Leo, unimpressed, watched her tantrum and warned, “I suggest you tell the truth now, or if this escalates to the property management, you’ll face even more humiliation.”
When the crying didn’t work, Jessica started hurling accusations, “I hurt my ankle outside. So what? Are you going to beat me for her, or are you going to kill me?”
Martin, who had slapped Nora and wrongly accused her, felt his head spin with anger at Jessica’s words. He had not only wronged Nora but also struck her.
“Martin, your son-in-law is bullying me, and you’re just going to stand there?” Jessica shouted at Martin.
Martin turned away. He wanted nothing to do with Jessica at this point.
Leo had made up his mind to keep Nora in this household by any means necessary. He declared coldly, “Dad, both of you owe Nora an apology.”
“This is absurd, Leo! Have you lost your mind? You’re making me apologize to a servant? You need to understand, I’m your mother, and you’re my son in law!” Jessica yelled.
Leo glanced at Sophia, reading her attitude from her eyes. In the past, Leo had been accommodating to spare Sophia any discomfort. But if he let Jessica continue her arrogant behavior, it was only a matter of time before trouble erupted in this household. So, Leo decided he would no longer tolerate it.
“If you don’t want to apologize, then get out of this villa right now, get out of this house! Remember, this is the home of Leo and Sophia,” Leo asserted.
Jessica was left momentarily stunned by Leo’s words. Even Martin looked at Leo with fear, sensing that Leo had transformed into a completely different person.
The previous image of Leo as a useless son-in-law had vanished without a trace. The immense aura emanating from him was suffocating and seemed almost dangerous.
“Sophia, aren’t you going to speak up for me? Do you want to watch me being thrown out by this good-for-nothing?” Jessica turned to Sophia for support.
Although Jessica was Sophia’s dear mother, she had crossed a line today, and Sophia couldn’t stand idly by. “Mom, if you’ve done something wrong, you should apologize,” Sophia declared, clearly stating her stance.
Jessica had already informed all her friends about her move to the Cloud Dream Mountain villa. During their shopping trip today, she had promised to bring them for a visit.
Being evicted from the Cloud Dream Mountain villa was absolutely unacceptable and unbearable for Jessica, who was determined to save her pride.
So, Jessica set aside her tantrums and spoke to Leo with a somewhat milder and pleading tone, “Leo, I’m your mother. How can you make your mom apologize to a maid?”
Leo remained firm, his tone unwavering, “Apology is necessary.”
To secure her place at the Cloud Dream Mountain villa, Jessica reluctantly muttered, “I’m sorry.”
The words came out lightly and insincere, but it was still an apology, and Leo didn’t push Jessica further.
Martin’s face was a bit flushed as he sincerely addressed Nora, “I’m sorry, I was too impulsive earlier.”
Nora accepted the apologies from Jessica and Martin.
Under Leo’s pressure, the situation was resolved, and Nora agreed to continue working at the villa.
Nora quickly prepared a delicious meal, but since Leo and Sophia had already eaten outside, they asked her not to prepare their dinner. When Jessica and Martin sat down to eat, Nora, being considerate, retreated to her guest room to have her dinner.
Leo, who had just emerged from the bathroom, noticed Nora wasn’t at the dining table and asked, “Where’s Nora? Why isn’t she joining us for dinner?”
Jessica put down her chopsticks, sounding disgruntled, “Leo, a maid shouldn’t be sitting at the table with us!”
Leo pretended not to hear Jessica’s remark and headed toward Nora’s room.
Outside Nora’s room, Leo overheard her talking on the phone, and he faintly caught some words about tuition and living expenses. It appeared to be a call from Nora’s daughter.
Once the call ended, Leo knocked on the door and said, “Nora, come out and have dinner.”
Nora got up and opened the door, saying, “I can eat in my room; maids don’t dine at the table.”
Leo smiled and said, “Nora, was that your daughter on the phone just now? I can advance you a month’s salary, but you need to come out and eat at the table.”
Nora hesitated. It was her first day on the job, and her daughter’s call had left her unsure of how to handle the situation. She hadn’t expected Leo to offer an advance on her salary.
Leo continued, “From now on, consider this place your home. We’re all ordinary people, and there’s no distinction between master and servant here. All you need to know is that in this house, there are no ridiculous rules.”
Nora felt gratitude in her heart. She also felt fortunate to have encountered someone as kind as Leo.