THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 38: TWISTED LIES

Chapter 38: TWISTED LIES

Fay blinked, as Ace’s grandmother became fully visible. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Aunt Celine standing beside her.

"So it’s true," the old woman said, walking forward.

"I told you. He did everything to keep it quiet too."

The bursts of excitement in the room gave way to a somber atmosphere, as everything dampened, including their faces.

Just like she did before, Marilyn stood in front of Fay’s bed. Alice, catching the memo, joined her, just as the older woman came to a halt.

"You two, get out!" Celine called from behind.

"No ma’am, we can’t. The lady hasn’t eaten anything for over twenty-four hours. She needs to eat, and go freshen up," Marilyn explained.

Celine hissed immediately she was done explaining. "I wasn’t asking, or pleading, Marilyn. I just ordered you to leave."

"We really can’t, madam Celine. Sir Ace insisted we stay by her side, whilst he’s away." Chef Alice mentioned Ace’s name, in hopes it’d make them leave.

It only made Celine roll her eyes. Behind the wall Alice, and Marilyn had created, Fay’s heart thumped loudly against her chest.

The feeling of inadequacy, inefficiency, and downright unimportance she felt before she decided to end it all, returned. The air conditioner was in full rotation, but a pool of sweat formed on her forehead, whilst her palm became clammy.

"Marilyn, Alice, we will only talk to the girl for a while. Please leave us alone," the grandmother, quiet since her very first few words in the room, finally spoke up.

The duo glanced at themselves, communicating through their eyes. They shook their heads at the same time, a firm decision was made.

"You can absolutely talk to her ma’am, but we have to be in the room while you do," Marilyn communicated their agreement.

"What the hell is happening to you two? Have you lost your mind?! The audacity to try to negotiate with me, or my mother? Is this what Ace tells you to do? Disrespect his family, and their words? Or have you two forgotten so soon how you came into this family in the first place!" Celine spat in a sudden outburst.

Fay flinched, and burrowed into the covers. Her temperature skyrocketed, and she began to shiver like she had a fever.

"We’re sorry ma’am. It’s sir Ace’s orders," Alice said, as they remained adamant.

"Look here—"

"That’s enough!" The grandmother raised her hand to stop her daughter from turning the place upside down. She wouldn’t put an action like that past her.

Celine’s brow snapped, as she watched her mother give in to the two servants. Within her, she growled. They would never have the guts to speak to her that way if she was alone. For now, she gave up, but not without a mental note to handle the rebellion those two had just showcased.

"There’s no point in arguing with the servants. They want to stay? Let them stay," she continued softly to her daughter, before returning her attention to Marilyn, and Alice. "Move out the way, I want to talk to the girl," she ordered.

They looked at each other a second time, reluctant to step out of the way.

"You thought being nice to these ungrateful wenches would do any good? Look at them now. They won’t even move out of the way."

Alice bobbed her head, and Marilyn bit her lip. With hands entwined, they slowly moved out the way, but went to stand beside her bed.

Celine, chest heaving, and mouth dry from the lack of action, stepped forward, and dragged the covers of Fay’s body.

"No, Mrs Celine!"

"Oh my God!"

Both Marilyn, and Alice said at the same time, as their mouths hung open.

Not even the grandmother was expecting that move from her daughter. She understood the urgency, but personally, she’d rather do things with more tact.

"Celine? Allow me to handle things going forward. If the girl is a victim just like you said she is, we don’t want to further scare her."

"Fine." She relented, but only temporarily. Deep down in her heart, she couldn’t wait to be done with Ace, so she could also toss the girl out, like a bag of trash she absolutely was.

Fay’s head was completely down, as she shuddered from genuine terror.

"Hey girl," the grandmother called. "When an elder is speaking to you, look up!" She reproached in a stern voice.

Fay’s head instantly shot up. As soon as Marilyn saw the fear in her eyes, her chest tightened. She wanted to reach out to her. To reassure her they wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, but Alice held her back. She understood her friends needed to protect the lady. She wasn’t alone in that regard. However, they couldn’t afford to be foolish. These women could be just as ruthless as Ace, when ticked off.

"I heard about your Ill health and the unfortunate incident," she continued, resting her hips with the help of her cane. Alice, seeing how uncomfortable she was standing for that long, untangled her hands from Marilyn’s, but not before giving her a warning glare. She hurried to the other side of the room, and grabbed a chair. "Oh, thank you," the old woman said, when she presented the chair to her.

"You’re welcome ma’am." She bowed, and returned beside Marilyn.

The kind gesture brought out a scowl from Celine. She gave the woman a disgusted once-over, irritated with her attempt to try to win her mother over, and also softened her heart.

She had worked too hard to get her mother’s blood boiling all the way here, just to be upended by those two clowns.

The grandmother cleared her throat, and started afresh. "How are you feeling, darling?"

Celine rolled her eyes again. "Darling? Seriously, darling? She may as well hug, and give her a piece of her will," she thought.

"I’m— I’m fi-ne," her lips quivered, as she stuttered.

Marilyn tried to move again, but Alice’s hand restricted her. She didn’t want to stand by idly, and watch the poor girl being grilled this way. She had done nothing to deserve this. Her eyes moistened, her inability to do anything to help, eating her up.

"Are you sure? You look rather pale."

"I’m— I’m sure."

The grandmother frowned, not buying whatever it is she was selling. Not only did she look like she would rather disappear, her eyes remained in one spot. And it wasn’t on her. It was straight past her. Perhaps, ensuring courtesy by following her orders to look at her, while simultaneously enacting it in a way that made her more comfortable.

"I’m going to ask you a very important question, and I need you to be very honest with me."

Fay’s eyes dulled, whilst Celine’s sparkled with interest. Fay didn’t want to answer any questions. The surge of hotness rushing through her entire body was a testament to that. Celine, who was bored to death before, was just glad things were finally spicing up.

She crossed her legs before her, her lips curving into a sinister smile.

"Do you think you can do that?" She asked.

Against what she wanted, what every part of her body needed, she bobbed her head. Biting her lip, she began to play with her hospital gown.

Anything to keep her distracted, until the question dropped.

"Did your husband, my grandson, do this to you?" She dropped the bomb.

Marilyn gasped, but Alice was fast enough to cover her mouth. "Mar!" She whispered warningly into her ears.

Celine was most pleased by their reactions. Even more pleased, when Fay’s widened eyes rested on her.

She snapped her face into an expressionless form, and returned her stare with empty eyes.

"I asked a question."

"He didn’t," she quickly answered. "Ace would never do something like this to me."

Celine’s brow lifted at the vibrancy of her voice, as she sharply answered. She was expecting her to stall. Break into a downpour of sweat, so her agenda could be totally sealed. Who knew Ace’s wife was stronger than she projected?

But if she wanted to play smart with her, she would show her she wasn’t called a viper for nothing.

"Look at the poor girl, mother. Ace has her so scared, she can’t even be truthful. I told you what he did to me when I was trying to help her. I really do think he took out his anger on her, when he successfully shoved me out of his house. Poor thing." She pouted, and shook her head, pretending she cared.

Marilyn couldn’t believe her ears, and neither could Alice. Her mouth was itching to speak. She pleaded with her eyes for Alice to let her counter the lies, but her hand pressed firmly against hers in response.

"Is this true, girl? Don’t be scared to tell the truth. It doesn’t matter that he’s my grandson. If he did this to you, I’ll personally ensure you get justice," she nodded reassuringly.

A single tear fell down Fay’s eyes. As she brushed it away with her hands, she opened her mouth. "Ace woul-dn’t," her eyes caught Celine’s threatening glare, and she was instantly transported back to the moment her hands tortured her, as she searched for lies all-over her body. Lies she successfully twisted into truths. "He–" She completely broke down in tears.

"Poor thing can’t even express herself, and say the truth," Celine said.

"I’ve heard enough," The grandmother rose to her feet. "Let’s go. I’ll deal with Ace myself."

"He didn’t do it!" Marilyn blurted out.

"It’s true. He’d never do something like that!" Alice supported.

The grandmother slowed down. "Then someone better start telling me what really happened."

Celine’s hands squeezed into a fist, as she sent deathly glares the way of the duo.