Chapter 923
Margaret entered with an air of arrogance. However, a frown creased her face upon discovering the empty room. "Where's that woman?" she demanded, pointedly ignoring Lily's status as Mrs. Russell.
The maid hesitated, about to explain Lily's illness, when footsteps sounded from the stairs. Lily appeared, her descent slow, one hand resting on the banister. She was casually dressed; sick and homebound, her long hair flowed around her face. Despite her fever and discomfort, she remained strikingly beautiful.
Celine was captivated. Having seen Lily only from a distance at the jewelry store, she now understood Alexander's fascination. Lily was undeniably beautiful. The humiliation of the previous day surged back, fueling Margaret's fury. Her face contorted. "Hmph!" she snorted, lifting her chin.
Lily remained unaffected, knowing their intentions were not benevolent. Once downstairs, she settled on the sofa, covering herself with a throw blanket. "Please get me a glass of water," she requested of the maid in a gentle voice, ignoring her visitors.
Margaret could not tolerate such perceived indifference. Throwing her cane to the floor, she demanded coldly, "Are you Lily?"
"Yes, I am. Who are you?" Lily responded, meeting Margaret's gaze with calm directness. Her tone was neither subservient nor defiant.
Margaret's annoyance intensified. "Don't you know who I am?! I'm Alex's grandmother!"
"Oh," Lily replied, acknowledging the information without outward deference.
Celine, unable to contain herself, interjected, "Don't you have any manners? Aren't you going to greet her? Weren't you taught to respect your elders?"
Lily turned a cool gaze on Celine. "Excuse me, you are?"
Celine bristled, but Margaret intervened. "She's Alex's aunt. You can call her 'Aunt.'"
"Oh," Lily replied, her tone unchanged.
The maid arrived with warm water. Lily accepted it, then set it aside, deeming it too hot.
Margaret pressed her attack, aiming for a vulnerable point. "I know your parents died young, but the Lodge family is well-known. Didn't they teach you any manners? Don't you know how to behave when you meet your elders?"