"Grandmother, what are you doing here?" Zade asked, wariness evident in his voice as he watched his grandmother approach, flanked by his father and mother.
"I had to see for myself that you were actually getting married. I couldn't let you pull one of your tricks on us," his grandmother said with a sharpness in her tone, her last words dripping with suspicion.
Zade's eyes narrowed. "But you're not well, and I gave strict instructions that no one was to tell you the venue!" His words were laced with frustration as Daisy stood silently, watching the tension rise.
"It was William," his grandmother said, with a smug look as if her arrival had been inevitable. "He called me and told me your bride kept you waiting at the altar. I would have been here sooner if it weren't for my leg, as you well know." Her arrogance was palpable, and Zade's gaze briefly flickered to her leg. Old age had robbed her of much of her mobility, forcing her to rely on the cane she now used—a cane that had struck his back far too many times, accompanied by the familiar refrain to "get married."
She had been taken to the hospital earlier that day, and Zade had thought that by the time she recovered enough to leave, the entire situation would have been handled. He should have known better. His uncle must have tipped her off, knowing full well that the old madam had the final say in determining whether he would inherit the Harnes Group.
"Where's your bride?" the old woman demanded, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Zade stiffened when he realized that Daisy had instinctively hidden behind him.
"Oh, Grandmother, she's hiding behind Senior Brother!" Derek, shouted taking advantage of what he saw as an opportunity he piped up with an annoying grin on his face .
His smug voice grating on Zade's nerves.
'Foolish Derek,'Zade thought, his jaw tightening.
"Not hiding at all, Grandmother," Daisy finally spoke, stepping out from behind Zade with an elegant, composed smile. "I was just fixing my dress. I had a little trouble with it earlier, which is why I kept Zade waiting at the altar today," she explained smoothly, her voice rich with poise. Zade couldn't help but admire how effortlessly she lied, handling the situation like a seasoned actress. He smirked inwardly—at least he wouldn't have to shoulder the burden of deceiving his family alone.
The old woman's sharp gaze softened as she studied Daisy. "Ah, where did Zade find such a beautiful woman?" the old madam exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with unexpected approval. Daisy blushed modestly, playing her role to perfection.
"Did he kidnap or threaten you into this, my dear?" the old woman asked suddenly, her bluntness catching everyone off guard. Zade coughed, visibly flustered.
"No, no, Grandmother," Daisy replied quickly, her smile warm and gentle despite the white lie. "We love each other." The guilt hit her unexpectedly as she saw the genuine smile that bloomed on the old woman's face—a smile so different from the one Zade usually received.
"Grandmother, she was Senior Brother's assistant! Zade married his assistant. They had an illicit relationship at work, and that's against Harnes Group rules!" Derek's voice cut through the moment, his grin smug and triumphant as he laid out the accusation.
The old madam's eyes narrowed, and before anyone could react, she raised her cane and brought it down on Derek's head with surprising force. Daisy flinched as the thud echoed, followed by Derek's pained yelp.
"Shut your mouth, boy!" the old madam snapped, her voice sharp with authority. "Don't you dare try to defame your sister-in-law and your brother like that. So what if they had a relationship at work? At least they're married now!" She paused, casting an appraising look between Zade and Daisy. "In fact, that's a good thing. Means I can expect a grandchild soon, since they aren't new to each other!" she added, her bluntness once again turning the conversation on its head. Daisy's cheeks flushed crimson at the insinuation, and she shot Zade a mortified glance.
"Wow, honey, this old woman is sly," Zade's mother muttered to his father, her eyes narrowing as she observed the warmth with which the old madam treated Daisy. "She just met Zade's wife and is already showering her with affection. She didn't even like me when we first met, and honestly, I'm not sure she does even now," she added with a pout, crossing her arms.
Zade's father coughed awkwardly, offering a strained smile. "I'm sure my mother loves you, dear. She just has… her own way of showing it," he said, though the doubt in his voice was clear.
"Come here, granddaughter. I need to ask you something," the old madam beckoned, her voice softer now. She gestured for Daisy to approach, her demeanor shifting into something almost unreadable .
Daisy hesitated, her eyes darting to Zade, who gave her a subtle nod of encouragement.
With a cautious smile, Daisy stepped forward, her heart racing. She wasn't sure what to expect from the old woman.
"Do you really like my grandson?" the old woman whispered, her gaze piercing. Daisy felt a chill run down her spine. *Does she know? Is she testing me?* Daisy's mind raced. It felt as if the old madam could see right through the facade, peeling away every false smile and fabricated story.
"Oh yes, Grandmother, I love him very much," Daisy said with a smile so wide it felt unnatural. *I need to get better at this if we're going to keep up this act,* she thought, forcing herself to stay composed.
"Good, good," the old madam said, nodding approvingly. Then, in a quieter voice, she asked, "Now, does he bully you?"
Daisy paused, blinking in surprise. Then, a sly smile tugged at her lips. *Time to get a little payback on this tyrant,* she thought, her mind immediately formulating a response. Her gaze flickered to Zade, who was deep in conversation with his cousin, unaware of the brewing storm.
"Oh, Grandmother, I don't know how to answer that…" Daisy began, her voice soft, feigning hesitation.
The old madam gasped dramatically, and her cane slammed into the floor, capturing the attention of everyone nearby. Her voice, sharp and cutting, rang out through the hall, "You foolish boy!"
Zade's head whipped around just in time to feel the sting of his grandmother's cane on his back. The sound of the impact was loud, and he spun to face her, eyes wide with disbelief. Daisy stood there with an almost imperceptible smirk, but it was quickly masked by a look of false innocence, her lips forming a pout.
"How dare you bully your wife!" the old madam shouted, raising her cane for another strike.
Zade, still processing what was happening, opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, Daisy stepped forward, gently stopping the cane mid-swing.
"Oh no, Grandmother, don't hit him too much," Daisy said with a sweet but sly tone. "He only held my arm too tightly earlier today, that's all." She smiled up at the old madam, her words soaked in mock pity.
The old woman gasped again, her eyes widening in shock. Zade's face twisted into a scowl, his frustration and disbelief evident. His dark eyes met Daisy's, promising a silent retribution once they were alone.
*If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now,* Daisy thought, her pulse quickening under his intense glare. But she didn't flinch; she was enjoying the moment far too much. For once, the power was in her hands.
'its time to get back at all the manhandling he had done to me at his office ' she thought with a smug look on her face .
'this tyrant of a man' she said with a huff
Zade clenched his jaw, his mind already plotting his next move, but for now, Daisy had won this round, and she relished every second of it.