The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 40: [Volume 1] - 40- Elders

Chapter 40: [Volume 1] Chapter 40- Elders

By dealing with Valhale elders from a young age, Esme was already accustomed to handling people like them—those who circled like sharks, ready to devour any sign of weakness. In comparison, these Aron elders were nothing; they were like children before the seasoned leaders she had faced. Esme had grown up learning how to stand her ground, and now, she carried that same air of command as she settled into the corner of the room.

"So, what brings you here?" she asked, her voice sharp yet calm, eyes scanning the group. The youngest elder, hesitant but emboldened by the silence, began to speak. "As we mentioned earlier—"

But Esme raised a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence, her gaze narrowing. "Enough!" Her voice echoed, firm and unapologetic. "I’m not here for your excuses or your jokes. Tell me the *real* reason you’ve come."

The room went still, the tension thick as the elders exchanged uneasy glances. They knew then that Esme wasn’t someone they could toy with.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, the elders suddenly unsure of how to proceed. Their eyes darted from Esme to the Aron brothers, who sat calmly, seemingly indifferent to the growing tension, a slight smirk playing on their faces. They appeared to be enjoying the scene, unbothered by the elders’ presence, their nonchalance only adding to the elders’ rising frustration.

One of the elders, clearly agitated by the lack of respect, finally snapped, his voice booming across the room. "How dare a man sit with a woman like this, in front of their elders?"

Esme, who had been idly peeling an orange, stopped. Her eyes flickered coldly as she swung the orange onto the table. The impact was startling. The glass bowl on the table shattered into countless pieces, sending shards flying across the room. It shouldn’t have been possible, but the energy of Beom that Esme had infused into the orange made it as hard as stone.

The elders leapt back, scrambling to avoid the sharp fragments. But, curiously, not a single shard flew towards Esme or the Aron brothers. It was as if an invisible barrier protected them, keeping them untouched amidst the chaos.

The elder who had spoken up stood there, frozen, his expression a mix of horror and confusion. Esme’s icy gaze landed on him, and when she spoke, her voice was as cold as the atmosphere in the room.

"Do you think this is some kind of game?" she asked, her words slicing through the tense air. "Have you forgotten where you are and who you’re speaking to?"

The elder, now trembling, struggled to find his voice. "N-no, I just wanted to help—"

Esme interrupted him sharply, her voice laced with disdain. "Who are *you* to say what my husbands should or should not do?"

The elder’s face flushed with humiliation, his stammered attempt at a defense crumbling under Esme’s relentless gaze. The power dynamics in the room had shifted entirely, and the elders knew, without a doubt, that they were no longer in control.

Esme glanced at the dining table as the food was served, her eyes flicking towards the still-shocked elders. With a smile that barely touched her eyes, she said, "Oh, breakfast is served. Care to join me?" Her tone was polite, but there was no warmth in her smile. It was clear the invitation was anything but genuine.

The elders, having already witnessed her power firsthand, were quick to shake their heads hastily, their fear palpable. They had seen enough to know that any further defiance would not end well for them.

Esme’s smile widened slightly as she watched their nervousness. "Well," she continued, her voice soft but laced with warning, "if you’d like to stay, then by all means, stay. Or..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the elders rushed out of the room in a panicked scramble, like frightened dogs with their tails tucked between their legs. Their departure was swift, leaving behind the shattered tension in the room and Esme, who watched them go with quiet satisfaction.

Esme turned to the Aron Brothers, her expression softening as she leaned down and placed a tender kiss on Ray’s forehead. "Honey, you guys go ahead and eat. I have something to take care of."

Ray, who had been watching her closely, already sensed what was going on. Without needing to speak, his eyes asked the question, *Where are you going?*

Esme responded effortlessly, not even opening her mouth, *To find out why those useless elders came here.*

Their bond ran deeper than most, both chosen heirs of their powerful families and the divine beasts, able to communicate through their minds with ease. Ray understood, but he still played his part, a faint look of hurt crossing his face to maintain appearances.

"Is this really more important than staying with me?" Ray asked aloud, his voice filled with mock disappointment, his eyes never leaving hers.

Esme smiled, her voice soft but firm. "Yes, it is important," she replied, her words final but affectionate. With that, she turned and left the room, her steps resolute, knowing there was more to uncover about the elders’ sudden visit.

The Aron brothers, left in the house with the servants watching them like hawks, exchanged glances. Without saying a word, they tapped the sofa three times—a signal between them that it was time to start acting.

Jay, wearing a frustrated expression, made his way to the dining table, still playing his part. "Can I even spend some time with her?" he muttered, his voice filled with feigned disappointment.

Ray, catching on immediately, leaned back in his seat and replied casually, "It’s okay. She always spends time with us."

Kay, who had been observing the exchange, stood up and stretched. "I need to head to my workstation," he said, looking over at Ray. "How about I drop you guys off at yours?"

Ray and Jay exchanged a knowing look before nodding in agreement. "Yeah, let’s go," Ray said.

With that, the Aron brothers stood up, ready to leave, their subtle act completed without raising any suspicion from the ever-watchful servants.