Olivia giggled and teased as she recorded, "Hey, this country bumpkin is supposedly Felicia's grandmother. How embarrassing—" Before she finished, a scream pierced the air.
Felicia moved swiftly, intercepting Olivia at the hearth. She snatched the phone, deleted the video, and flung both phone and Olivia out the door—a seamless, single motion. Her gaze darkened. "Get out!" she commanded coldly.
Olivia landed hard, crying out. Then, furiously, she bellowed, "Felicia, how dare you! You'd better watch out, or I'll—" Her threat faltered; a glimpse of Felicia's violent intent sparked overwhelming fear. This fear was fleeting, however. "Hey! What gives you the right to hit me? Felicia, I'm warning you, pick up my phone and apologize, or I won't let this go!"
"Young lady… it's all my fault…" Macey rushed out, wiping her hands on her apron. Embarrassment etched her usually kind face. "I'm at fault. I'll compensate you for the phone. Let's not quarrel over me, an old woman…"
Felicia gently pushed Macey back into the kitchen. "Nana, listen. Go flip the fish. It'll burn." Even then, her focus remained on cooking.
Macey looked at Felicia reproachfully, tugging at her clothes. "Licia, don't say anything. Let me handle this." Felicia remembered her childhood—malnourished, bullied—and Macey always standing up for her, shielding her with, "I'll take care of it!" A smile tugged at Felicia's lips, then faded as she saw Macey's silvery hair and anxious expression. Warmth and sadness washed over her, quickly replaced by rising anger. With steely resolve, she turned to Olivia. "Get out now!"
Olivia hesitated, then stubbornly refused. "I'm not leaving! You hit me first, so you're wrong!" she sneered.
Felicia, out of patience, went to the kitchen and returned with a pair of red-hot tongs. Dipping them into a basin of water, the sizzling metal and billowing steam created a terrifying sight.
Olivia stared, eyes wide with fear and disbelief. She screamed and fled, too terrified to look back.
Felicia smiled at Macey. "Nana, I can protect you now." Macey's eyes filled with tears.
The villagers, aware of Felicia's wealthy family background, believed she no longer needed to fear bullies. But seeing her protect Macey, Macey's heart ached. "Licia, do your peers treat you this way at college?" she asked softly. Felicia shook her head. She would have ignored past malice, but Olivia had crossed a line by targeting those Felicia cared for. Felicia was fiercely protective; she could tolerate attacks on herself, but not on others. That's why she couldn't restrain her anger.