It's Your Turn To Cry and Beg, Dear Uncle
Chapter 68: Pride and Arrogance (2)

Chapter 68: Pride and Arrogance (2)

Although Mia had visited Wisteria Mansion before, she had only ever been to the first floor, where the living room and the grand hall were located, as the Synders family usually hosted events in the hall or the backyard garden.

Thus, this was undoubtedly Mia Parks’ first time stepping into the inner section of the backyard, more specifically, visiting the greenhouse. One could imagine her astonished face filled with envy as her imagination soared to a new height.

Her envy only deepened when she saw Kyra seated within the beautifully adorned gazebo inside the greenhouse.

The entire space was meticulously designed, complete with a man-made stream running through the stone path leading to the gazebo. The stream was crafted to appear as natural as possible and was connected to a koi pond with a small bamboo bridge arching over it.

In addition, various types of exquisite trees and plants decorated the massive greenhouse, resembling a miniature forest. Saying that stepping into the greenhouse was akin to stepping inside a fairytale world was not an exaggeration.

But much to Mia’s dislike, Kyra was the centerpiece of this grandeur. Sitting there in a plain white midi dress, her bare shoulders and fair skin glowing like a fairy, Kyra’s presence darkened Mia’s gaze. Her fists clenched tightly as fury bubbled within her.

Mia couldn’t accept that Kyra was enjoying the Synders’ lavishness. Perhaps she could tolerate her older sister once holding that position, but not the woman before her. Mia believed she surpassed Kyra in every way, so why was Kyra the one fortunate enough to occupy a role that should have been hers?

Even so, Mia managed to keep her composure, reminding herself that Kyra’s position was merely that of James’ niece or, at best, his sister. That would never exceed the status of the Synders’ matriarch. Yes, she still had a chance to claim James for herself and inherit the Synders’ power.

While Mia was lost in her ambitious fantasies, Gladys was still reeling from shock, her mouth agape since setting foot in the mansion. Her astonishment grew even further when she entered the backyard, which she felt couldn’t even be called a backyard.

The swan pond and rows of wisteria trees left her utterly speechless. Gradually, she began to understand why the Synders family was always the talk of the city whenever they hosted events and why people from high society would go to great lengths to secure an invitation.

It wasn’t just about potential networking opportunities; it was about the exclusivity of these events that couldn’t be described as just having status. To be in Synder’s events meant they had reached the peak of power inside the capitol. It was a matter of authority and who mattered.

Now, was Gladys jealous of Kyra, just as Mia was, seeing the young woman relaxing with her tea as though she owned the mansion?

The answer was a resounding yes!

Like Mia Parks, Gladys Swan also believed she surpassed Kyra in every way. To her, Kyra was nothing more than a rat plucked from the gutters because she was mistaken for a hamster, and was fortunate enough to be adopted by a wealthy benefactor.

So, seeing her acting so arrogantly, as though she were a real lady of the Synders estate, made Gladys sick. And that feeling only intensified when Kyra looked down on them despite their position being the ones standing.

Then, without any pleasantries or even inviting them to sit, Kyra immediately asked, "Well then? What is it that you want to say?"

Kyra’s cold gaze and the way she spoke, as though they were mere employees reporting to their boss, made Gladys’ chest burn with rage. She wanted nothing more than to storm up the steps of the gazebo and slap Kyra repeatedly until she felt satisfied.

Kyra should have welcomed them properly; after all, they were guests, and their status was clearly higher than Kyra’s, who was, at her core, an orphan with no meaningful rank.

But Gladys swallowed her resentment, fully aware that Kyra held the upper hand here. Moreover, she dared not act out, especially since Roman had not left after escorting them. He stood to the side with another female servant.

Though they didn’t intervene, their presence loomed, and any incident here could very well be reported to James or Creighton.

Mia, on the other hand, still believed she had closer ties to the Synders family due to James’ past connection with her older sister. This gave her the confidence to express herself more boldly. Mia, too, felt insulted by Kyra’s treatment.

In a tone laced with indignation, Mia asked, "Is this how you welcome guests? Isn’t your behavior shameful as a member of the Synders family?"

Kyra raised an eyebrow, her gaze growing colder at Mia Parks’ arrogant tone. Kyra had yet to fully grasp James’ past closeness with Selene Parks, so she found it odd that Mia, who was merely a guest—and an uninvited one at that—dared to act so presumptuously. From the start, Gladys hadn’t mentioned that she would be arriving with Mia Parks.

Kyra’s mood immediately shifted, her irritation evident as she placed her teacup down with a loud clink. "And who do you think you are, daring to criticize me in my own home? If we’re talking about behavior, shouldn’t I be the one asking why you’ve come when I don’t recall inviting you?"

Mia’s heart briefly skipped a beat at Kyra’s retort. But in the next moment, anger took over once more. She refused to be humiliated by someone like Kyra.

Recalling Gladys’ description of Kyra as timid, Mia didn’t back down. Instead, she grew bolder, climbing the steps of the gazebo and taking a seat directly across from Kyra.

"I’m Selene Parks’ younger sister, a close friend of Mr. James," Mia Parks declared, crossing her legs and leaning back in her chair, completely at ease as if she were in her own home.

She then continued to chastise Kyra, "I’ve heard you rarely attend gatherings of upper-class women and instead hide at home. If that’s the case, I can understand why you wouldn’t recognize me and why you fail to act according to the Synders family’s status. So, as a friend, I’ll kindly correct you. Proper etiquette dictates that you should first invite your guests to sit and offer them drinks and light refreshments before you take your own seat."

Kyra was left speechless. Strangely enough, her irritation vanished as she observed Mia’s shameless behavior. It felt as though she were watching a child with an overactive imagination. Yes, Kyra could see it clearly now—what Mia truly wanted. From her demeanor upon entering, her hostile glances, to the words she cloaked in pretense, it was obvious.

This person wanted her position.

Realizing this made Mia’s actions seem utterly absurd to Kyra. However, in contrast, Head Butler Roman was deeply offended. He nearly failed to maintain his composure upon hearing Mia’s words.

Wasn’t this woman deliberately trying to create misunderstandings about Miss Kyra? And her so-called reprimand? It wasn’t genuine advice but rather barbed statements laden with double meanings!

"I’ve heard you rarely attend gatherings of upper-class women and instead hide at home." This was a mockery, insinuating Kyra was a country bumpkin out of touch with trends.

"If that’s the case, I can understand why you don’t recognize me or why you fail to behave in accordance with the Synders family’s status." The implication? We’re not on the same level, so it’s no wonder you don’t know me. Even though you’ve been adopted by the Synders, you should remain mindful of your lower status.

"Proper etiquette dictates that you should invite your guests to sit and serve them drinks and refreshments before taking your own seat." The hidden jab? Your role is akin to that of a servant, so act accordingly and host us like one.

Roman discreetly clenched his fists behind his back. Having served as the head butler for many years, he was well-versed in the ambiguous language of the elite. But he doubted whether Miss Kyra, who seldom mingled with upper-class ladies, would recognize these veiled insults. Watching Kyra, who seemed gentle and composed in his eyes, made him worry.

Should I contact Mr. James? Roman wondered to himself.

However, when he noticed Gladys, who had been silent until now, also took a seat without seeking permission, Roman lost his patience and decided to step in.

"My apologies, Miss Parks and Miss Swan," Roman said suddenly. Unbeknownst to them, the old man had already positioned himself beside their table. "But what Miss Kyra has done is entirely in accordance with proper etiquette. As the guests, you are required to follow the rules of Miss Kyra, who is the rightful host. Therefore, even if Miss Kyra did not invite you to sit, she would not be considered rude, as a host often has valid reasons—such as if her guests committed a prior offense or arrived uninvited."

Gladys and Mia immediately felt that they had been slapped simultaneously. Meanwhile, Kyra subtly suppressed a laugh behind her teacup as she sipped her tea.

Wasn’t it Gladys who had brought along an uninvited guest without asking first? And wasn’t Mia Parks that very uninvited guest? So why should Kyra extend respect to those who had barged into her home without any respect towards her?

But Roman didn’t stop there. The head butler continued to mercilessly criticize the two young ladies before him.

"Furthermore," Roman said, "Miss Parks, you are mistaken. Miss Kyra has no obligation to welcome you personally because, once again, this is the Synders family’s home. However, because of that, it is my duty as the head butler to extend a welcome on her behalf. Or perhaps my status is insufficient to greet you properly?"

Mia Parks froze, rendered speechless. Her earlier bravado evaporated, replaced by panic as her heart raced uncontrollably. Roman’s presence was overwhelmingly intimidating. She could keenly sense his displeasure toward her, despite the old man maintaining a professional demeanor.

As for Roman’s position as head butler, it was officially recognized by Creighton, placing his status on par with hers. A blush of embarrassment crept across Mia’s cheeks as she began to lower her head slightly.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Roman, I didn’t mean to offend you. I just..." Mia trailed off, unable to come up with a valid excuse to justify her actions. Her voice faded into silence.

However, as if Roman felt his criticism had yet to fully land, he proceeded to dissect Mia’s earlier remarks one by one. "And your advice about pouring tea and serving refreshments? I apologize, but that is the responsibility of the servants and myself. So, I’m sorry if our service has failed to meet your expectations."

Checkmate.

Mia Parks’ head hung fully in shame. Her humiliation was palpable, even though there weren’t many witnesses. Yet the stares from Roman, the female servant, Gladys, and Kyra were more than enough to weigh her down.

In the end, there was only one thing she could say: "I’m sorry, Kyra."

Though it pained her, Mia was forced to apologize under the intense pressure of Roman’s unrelenting gaze. Meanwhile, Kyra was cheering internally, overjoyed. She felt like hugging Roman and declaring him the greatest head butler in the world!

"Ahem," Kyra cleared her throat, waving her hand slightly to signal Roman to step back. "Apology accepted. Now, I’d like to hear the purpose of your visit."

Hearing this, Gladys didn’t immediately respond. Instead, her body trembled slightly. She had brought Mia Parks specifically to defend her. Now that the shield had been broken in half, how the hell should she proceed?