“Michelle, or whatever your name is, don’t you think you are stepping out of line?” Amir was cold and condescending, underestimating Michelle and feeling it was time to put her in her place. Michelle remained unfazed, knowing that Amir was powerless.
“I think I need a pair of glasses because I don’t see a line drawn,” she said sarcastically. Coco and the maids giggled, and even though Amir glared at them, the maids put on serious expressions while Coco remained indifferent.
“Feel free to be sarcastic, but stay away from the nanny’s affairs. I have decided that she joins us for dinner every night, and that is final,” Amir slammed his hand on the table in anger, causing Coco, the nanny, and the maids to panic.
Zora, unfazed, spoke leisurely, “Really? Alright. As Sebastian’s wife and co-owner of this house, I declare that all maids and domestic workers join the dining table.”
Amir glared at the maids, causing them to shiver. One of them spoke up, “But Madam, there isn’t enough food to cover for everyone.”
Zora remained unrelenting, determined to push Amir's buttons to uncover the relationship between him and the nanny. “Then we have to share whatever we have for this table. Go ahead and call them.”
The maids, unaccustomed to such drama at the dining table, moved to do as told, but Amir's roar stopped them. “If you move an inch, you are fired.”
Zora raised her brows and glared at him. “So you allow the nanny to have dinner with us and not them? Is she your girlfriend?” She taunted, seeing the anger on his face before adding, “No need to be shy about it. Some men just like older women.”
Amir, enraged by her words, lost control and raised his hand to slap her when a commanding voice cut through.
“Enough, Amir.” It was Mr. Newman. He had been watching the situation on his CCTV and decided to intervene before things escalated. Fearing that Zayla might cancel the contract if Amir laid a finger on her, he couldn’t afford for that to happen.
Amir suppressed his anger. “Uncle, I didn’t know you were coming over today.” He tried to sound calm but was seething internally.
Mr. Newman maintained a calm demeanor, settling into a chair at the dining table. “Must I inform you of all my movements?” Sarcasm tinged his tone.
Amir forced a smile. He was close to putting Zora in her place, but his uncle had to interfere. “Not entirely, but I’m just curious.”
“You've already met Sebastian’s wife,” Mr. Newman redirected the conversation, not wanting it to escalate further. He had intended for the rest of the family to be present before the formal introduction, but Amir's actions forced him to change his plans.
“A sorry choice you made,” Amir sneered. The maids moved away, sensing that no one was ready to eat.
“You need to show her the respect she deserves. If she doesn’t want the nanny at the table, then so be it,” Mr. Newman stated. Zora’s expression remained blank, giving no indication of her feelings towards the middle-aged man’s intervention.
Amir was about to speak when the nanny covered his lips with her hand. “It’s alright. I will eat with the maids from today.”
Fearing that secrets might be exposed, she made this decision, but Amir wasn’t swayed. “No, you won’t.”
“Please, just let it be,” the nanny said calmly, with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Michelle is a guest. We have to make her comfortable.”
“I’m not a guest but the owner of this house,” Michelle corrected her. The nanny looked pained but remained silent in Mr. Newman’s presence.
“You should thank my uncle for arriving on time,” Amir said, insinuating, “I wonder how much you were paid to marry my cousin. I hope it’s worth your life.”
Mr. Newman found Amir’s words threatening and was about to reprimand him, but Zora stopped him. “Dad, I appreciate your presence, but you shouldn’t have interfered. This is my house, and I will handle matters as I see fit.”
She wasn’t intimidated by Amir’s threats and indirectly conveyed that she didn’t need Mr. Newman’s help. The middle-aged man didn’t entirely believe her, as she had almost been hit if not for his timely intervention. “I came because the argument was getting out of hand.”
Zora smiled dangerously. “If he had gotten physical with me, I would have let the bodyguards handle him. Unless you’re here for dinner, I suggest you retire early. I don’t need your assistance,” she reminded Mr. Newman.
Feeling that she needed to earn what she was paid, she was determined to handle things on her own. Mr. Newman was relieved that she had a plan in place to involve her bodyguards if necessary.
However, Amir felt that Michelle’s tone towards his uncle was disrespectful. “Did you hear how she addressed you?” He asked, trying to draw Mr. Newman’s attention, but the middle-aged man seemed unfazed.
“I prefer her speaking her mind. It’s better than being a hypocrite. Alright, I will assign an extra bodyguard, just in case. Good night,” he stood up and left, as the maids gathered around once more, ready to take their orders.
Amir shook his head bitterly. Not even his uncle could stand up to Michelle. Remembering her threat to use her bodyguards against him, he dared not try to get physical.
“It seems you have the old man wrapped around your finger. We’ll see your place when Sebastian wakes up from his coma.”
In New York City, at Gannon’s Tower, Ezrah was having a meeting with his father in his office a month after the funeral.
“Son, I understand it’s only been a month since your wife passed away, but you need to move on. If you don’t provide the family with an heir, you know your brothers,” his father said gently.
Ezrah had no intention of replacing his wife with another woman. Having placed spies around Zora’s parents, he had yet to gather any information but couldn’t shake the feeling that Zora was still alive somewhere.
He planned to keep the spies there for at least six months. “Dad, I’m still young and I need time.”
His father nodded and elaborated, “I’m just suggesting that you start considering it.”
Ezrah’s phone rang, saving him from the uncomfortable conversation, but the news on the other end of the line wasn’t good.
“Mr. Gannon, I’m very sorry, but I can’t make it to the meeting,” Piper’s father, Mr. Henshaw, apologized with regret. Ezrah couldn’t comprehend what could be more important than their meeting and asked,
“You know how important this meeting is.”
“Yes, but Piper has been rushed to the hospital, and I need to be there for her,” Mr. Henshaw explained. Ezrah panicked,
“Piper? What happened to her?”
