Bride of Vengeance Chapter 2

The wedding was a resounding success, cementing the powerful new alliance between the Shaw and Wolfhard dynasties.

In the weeks that followed, Gaten was consumed with managing the overseas aspects of our new joint venture, leaving him no time to mediate between his new wife and his precious ward.

So, I had to take matters into my own hands.

When the car pulled up to Gaten's private villa, I saw my custom-monogrammed luggage strewn across the manicured lawn like discarded toys.

And there she was, standing at the front door with the air of a reigning queen, a smug smirk on her face, waiting for me.

I may have married for business, but I was still a Shaw, raised with every privilege. The maid who had come with me from my family home saw the scene and her hands curled into fists.

"Miss Seraphina, just say the word."

I held up a hand to stop her.

Stepping out of the car, I calmly walked over and picked up an emerald necklace lying at Mia's feet. I straightened up, my eyes glinting as I looked at her.

"Do you have any idea how much this necklace is worth?"

Mia tossed her head back. "That's junk for poor people. I wouldn't be caught dead in it," she sneered. "My vanity is covered in jewels Uncle Gaten bought me. I could give you a dozen if you beg nicely."

The words had barely left her mouth when I gave my maid a subtle nod.

She understood instantly. She strode forward and delivered a slap so hard the sound echoed in the quiet, upscale neighborhood.

Mia staggered back, clutching her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief.

My maid laughed coldly. "Who the hell do you think you are, talking to my lady like that?"

Then, following another silent cue from me, she grabbed the struggling girl and forced her to her knees at my feet.

I tilted Mia's chin up with one hand, studying the pampered, delicate face.

Then I slapped her. Twice. Hard.

Gaten lived in a row of exclusive villas, and the houses weren't far apart. The sharp, cracking sounds drew curious neighbors to their windows.

Seeing the raw humiliation on Mia's face, I let out a soft laugh.

I didn't care who she was or what she meant to Gaten.

I, Seraphina Shaw, return every slight with interest. If you make me unhappy, I will make your life a living hell.

I ground the stiletto heel of my shoe into the delicate knuckles of her outstretched hand.

"Mia," I said, my voice dangerously soft, "I know you've been by Gaten's side for over a decade."

"But let me give you a piece of advice. Know your place."

"There is only one mistress of this house. If you had what it takes to make Gaten marry you, I wouldn't be here. But you don't. So you will learn to live under my roof, by my rules."

"Bury those pathetic little fantasies of yours, or I will beat them out of you. I'll do it every single time, until you learn your lesson."

Mia opened her mouth to curse me, but I cut her off with two more swift slaps, leaving her sputtering with a mouthful of blood.

Just then, a man who had been watching from the next villa couldn't stand it any longer. He ran over and grabbed my raised hand.

"Seraphina, that's enough! Mia is just a child!"

Without missing a beat, I redirected my swing and slapped him across the face.

He recoiled, his hand flying to his cheek in the exact same pose as Mia.

I raised an eyebrow. "Connor Vance. I suggest you stay out of things that don't concern you."

"Mia is a legal adult. If you want to play house with her, that's your business."

"But I am the mistress of the Wolfhard estate. This is a family matter. I'm disciplining my ungrateful stepdaughter. What business is it of yours?"

Connor's face flushed with anger, but I shut him down with one final sentence.

"My family's company, Shaw Industries, just acquired a thirty percent stake in your father's corporation. We are now his largest shareholder."

My voice dropped to a silky threat. "So if you don't want to cause problems for him, I suggest you leave. Now."

With that, I nodded to my maid. She grabbed Mia by the hair and dragged her into the villa like a sack of trash.