Clash of Wills
As Scarlett briskly made her way through the Blackburn mansion, her mind buzzed with anticipation for the day ahead. She had already met with Mary and Mia, receiving their heartfelt gratitude for her heroic actions. Now, it was time to face the formidable Levi Blackburn, a prospect she approached with a mix of apprehension and determination.
With a tray of breakfast in hand, Scarlett reached Levi's door and hesitated for a moment before knocking softly. When there was no response, she took a deep breath and pushed the door open, stepping into Levi's room without invitation.
The sight that greeted her was not what she had expected. Levi lay sprawled across his bed, still lost in slumber, his features softened by sleep. Scarlett's initial irritation at being ignored melted away, replaced by a reluctant admiration for the man before her.
"Levi," Scarlett called, her voice firm but gentle as she approached the bed. "It's time to wake up. Breakfast is served."
Levi stirred at the sound of her voice, his eyes fluttering open to meet hers. For a moment, there was confusion in his gaze, quickly replaced by annoyance as he registered Scarlett's presence in his room.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Levi demanded, his voice rough with sleep as he pushed himself into a sitting position. "And why did you barge in like you own the place?"
Scarlett raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Levi's hostility. "I'm here to deliver your breakfast, as instructed by Nana. And as for 'barge in,' last time I checked, this is still part of the mansion, isn't it?"
Levi scowled, his irritation growing by the second. "That's beside the point. You should have knocked before entering. It's called manners, in case you've forgotten."
Scarlett rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to snap back at him. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind for next time. Now, are you going to eat your breakfast or not?"
Levi opened his mouth to retort, but before he could say anything, Scarlett turned on her heel and headed for the door, her patience wearing thin. "Fine. Suit yourself. But don't come crying to me when you're starving later."
With that, Scarlett left Levi's room, closing the door behind her with a soft click. She could feel Levi's eyes burning into her back as she walked away, but she refused to let his hostility get to her. She had a job to do, and she wasn't about to let one grumpy Mafia boss stand in her way.
Later that morning, Levi stormed into his father's study, his anger still simmering beneath the surface. "Dad, we need to talk about Scarlett," he began, his voice tight with frustration.
Gale looked up from his paperwork, his expression unreadable. "What about her?" he asked casually, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Levi clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his temper in check. "She's completely out of line. She barged into my room this morning without knocking, and then she had the nerve to lecture me about manners. I won't stand for it, Dad. Something needs to be done."
Gale raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh, lighten up, Levi. It's not the end of the world. Besides, Scarlett's just doing her job. Maybe you could stand to learn a thing or two from her."
Levi's eyes narrowed, his frustration boiling over. "This isn't a joke, Dad. She's disrespectful and insubordinate, and I won't tolerate it any longer."
Mary, who had been quietly observing the exchange, interjected with a gentle smile. "Now, now, boys. Let's not get worked up over a little morning tiff. Scarlett is new here, and I'm sure she didn't mean any harm. Why don't we all just take a deep breath and try to get along?"
Levi shot his mother a withering glare, his anger unabated. "Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth. "But mark my words, Dad. If Scarlett steps out of line again, there will be consequences."
With that, Levi stormed out of the room, leaving Gale and Mary to exchange bemused glances in his wake. Despite his bravado, there was a part of Levi that couldn't shake the feeling that Scarlett was going to be more trouble than she was worth. And as much as he hated to admit it, he couldn't deny that she had gotten under his skin in a way that no one else ever had.
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As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the Blackburn mansion, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Gale and Mary, dressed to the nines for a two-day vacation with other elite families, made their final preparations in the grand foyer.
"Levi, my boy!" Gale called out, beckoning his son to join him. Levi, with an air of indifference, sauntered over, his expression guarded.
"What is it, Father?" Levi asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.
Gale ignored his son's tone, diving straight into business matters. "I need you to keep an eye on things while we're away. The Whitmore deal needs your attention," he said, his tone firm.
Charles, Levi's loyal assistant, hovered nearby, ready to assist. "Shall I prepare the car, sir?" he asked, ever the consummate professional.
"Yes, please do, Charles," Gale replied, nodding his approval. "And make sure everything is in order for our guests."
As Charles bustled off to make the necessary arrangements, Gale turned his attention to his daughters, Mia and Vicky, who had stepped out to bid their parents farewell.
"Take care, Mother. Have a wonderful time," Mia said, her voice filled with genuine affection as she hugged Mary tightly.
Vicky, on the other hand, saw an opportunity to impress. She plastered on a fake smile and stepped forward, her demeanor oozing with false sweetness. "Safe travels, Mother. Don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of everything while you're away," she said, her eyes flicking over to Levi in a bid for his attention.
Gale, however, paid her no mind, instead focusing his attention on Scarlett, who stood nearby, a silent observer to the family drama unfolding before her.
"Be a good girl while we're gone, Scarlett," Gale said, giving her a reassuring smile. "And remember, if Levi gives you any trouble, you let me know."
Levi, catching wind of the exchange, scowled in annoyance, but said nothing as Charles ushered him away to attend to their business matters.
Meanwhile, Scarlett couldn't help but notice the irony of the situation. Vicky's attempts to impress Levi were met with indifference, while her own relationship with Gale was one of genuine warmth and trust.
As the family bid their final farewells and Mary and Gale climbed into their waiting car—a sleek, black Rolls-Royce Phantom—Scarlett couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Vicky's actions than met the eye. And as the car disappeared down the winding driveway, leaving behind a cloud of dust, Scarlett made a mental note to keep a close eye on the budding romance—or lack thereof—between Vicky and Levi.