Mr. Ashford gave a slow nod of approval, his expression unreadable, but his eyes gleamed briefly with something that could almost be mistaken for pride.
The family soon resumed their breakfast, the clinking of cutlery filling the tense silence. Once the meal was finished, Victoria excused herself from the mansion.
"The bitch is finally here," Mirabel muttered darkly, stretching her legs forward in an attempt to trip Victoria as she walked past. But Victoria, having grown familiar with such petty tricks, stepped around her effortlessly.
"You should really be more mindful of how you use that word, sister," Victoria said coolly, folding her arms across her chest. "The real bitch here is you. But as usual, you love blaming others for your own misfortunes. It's pathetic."
"You better watch your mouth, Victoria!" Mirabel snapped, her eyes wide with fury. "My brothers, father, and mother might be protecting you now, but once you step into the academy, you'll wish you were never born."
