Chapter 7

We arrived at the Caldwell estate, and as I stepped out of the car, I froze, staring at the towering structure in front of me. I'd seen it a thousand times but tonight was different.

It loomed over me, cold and unwelcoming, and I suddenly felt a pang of fear.

I tried to shake it off, but couldn't. Maria's earlier attack and threats replayed in my mind, along with the memory of the assassin sent to kill me in my own bed. The thought made me shiver.

Before I could react, a thick wool coat was draped over my shoulders. Startled, I turned to see Cole standing beside me. He had placed the coat over me. Where did he even get it?

"You shivered," he said simply, as if that explained everything. Without another word, he started walking toward the entrance, leaving me stunned and speechless.

"Wait! Where are my mum and sister?" I called out, panic rising.

Almost on cue, another car pulled up. Mum and Chloe stepped out, and Chloe rushed to me as if we hadn't just seen each other just moments ago.

"Are you hurt? Did this monster do anything to you?" she demanded, her hands frantically checking me for injuries.

"Chloe, stop it! I'm fine," I said, grabbing her hands to calm her down.

She shot a glare at Cole, who looked thoroughly unimpressed. I could already tell they weren't going to get along.

Mum came to my other side, placing a reassuring hand on my arm. Linking my arms with both of theirs, I took a deep breath. Walking into this house alone had felt impossible, but with them beside me, I felt a little braver.

"Let's go," I said softly, and together, we stepped inside the Caldwell estate.

It was late—probably around 2:00 a.m.—and I thought for sure everyone would be asleep. But as we walked in, we were immediately greeted by the full house staff, all awake and alert. Alfred, the butler, stood at the head of the group.

"Alfred?"

"Mistress Caldwell," he said with a respectful nod. "Cole informed us of your arrival, and I wanted the entire household to be ready to welcome their new mistress."

I swallowed hard at the word mistress. It felt strange but… not entirely bad.

"Thank you, Alfred," I said warmly.

"Allow me to lead you to your room. The master's bedroom has been prepared for you. I do hope it will be to your liking."

I was about to respond when a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Over my dead body will this little whore take my father's bedroom."

I turned to see Maria descending the grand staircase, her expression full of venom. She wasn't alone. Other Caldwell family members were trailing behind her. None of them looked happy. What were they all doing awake at this hour?

I swallowed hard, preparing to speak, but Chloe beat me to it.

"What the hell did you just call my sister?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

Maria smirked, but it was her daughter, Ashley, who spoke next. "Oh, look, she brought her filthy family with her. Do they really think they can breathe the same air as us, much less talk to us?" she sneered, looking us over with disgust.

"You little bi—" Chloe started, her hands clenched into fists as she moved toward Ashley. I quickly grabbed her arm to stop her. There was no point in arguing with them, especially not in front of the staff.

"Stop it," I said firmly. "We're not here to fight, especially not at this hour."

But my words didn't seem to calm anyone down. The entire family stared at us like we were invaders. Maria's children, Ashley and Asher, stood by her side. Paul, his wife Camille, and their son Tristan looked equally displeased. And Aunt Rachel stood silently in the background, her expression unreadable.

Paul stepped forward, his voice booming across the room. "You don't belong here. This is our house. Take you filthy family and Get out!"

Before I could respond, Cole stepped forward, his voice cold and steady. "Actually, this house is no longer yours. You're the ones who aren't welcome here."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop as Cole's gaze swept over them.

"You were all present at the reading of Mr. Caldwell's will," Cole continued, his voice sharp. "This estate and everything within it now belongs to Miss Astrid Bennett Caldwell, the rightful mistress of the house."

Maria's face twisted in rage. She stormed toward me, her voice trembling with fury. "You have no shame, do you? Sleeping with my father, turning him against his own family, and now you dare to take his name? You disgust me!"

She turned to my mother with equal venom. "And you—did you teach your daughter nothing? Or are you all just a family of shameless sluts?"

That was it. It was one thing to insult me, but attacking my mother? That was crossing the line.

"Don't you dare speak to my mother like that," I said, my voice rising. "I didn't come here to pick fights, but don't push me."

Maria hesitated for a moment but then stepped back, glancing at the others for support.

Paul took the opportunity to step closer, his expression dark and threatening. "Don't get comfortable," he said. "We'll find proof that my father's will was tampered with. When we do, you won't just lose everything—you'll be arrested and humiliated. We'll make sure you never recover."

I stared at him, my heart pounding, but I refused to back down. If they thought I'd crumble under their threats, they were dead wrong.

"You do realize she has the power to kick us all out into the streets. Right?" A calm, sultry voice cut through the tension.

Everyone, including me, turned toward the source.

It was Tristan—Paul's son and Mr. Caldwell's first grandchild. The one Mr. Caldwell had always referred to as *the hawk*. I didn't think I'd ever heard him speak before.

"You're all acting like she doesn't have that power," Tristan continued, his gaze locking onto mine. His stare was intense, almost unnerving.

"Shut up, Tristan!" Maria snapped, her voice sharp and full of anger.

"What's the matter, Aunt Maria? I'm only stating the facts." He smirked slightly, his eyes still fixed on me. "Our new mistress here holds all the cards. So, Mistress, what will it be? Are we all going to be kicked out onto the streets tonight?"

The room went silent, all eyes turning to me. Were they being serious? Of course, I wasn't going to kick them out. No matter what, they were still Mr. Caldwell's family.

"I'm not kicking anyone out," I said firmly, meeting their stares. "This is still your home too. But don't test me or force my hand to make decisions you'll regret."

The tension in the room didn't ease, but I didn't waver. Let them think whatever they wanted. I wasn't here to fight—but I wasn't going to be pushed around either.

"I, for one, have no intention of getting on your bad side," Tristan said smoothly, breaking the silence as he stepped closer.

He was dressed in gold silk pajamas, the fabric catching the faint light, and his tousled hair gave him a careless, effortless charm. His every move was deliberate, and his intense gaze never left mine.

Before I could react, he gently took my hand in his. His touch was warm, sending a shiver through me. Without breaking eye contact, he brought my hand to his lips and pressed a slow, deliberate kiss on my knuckles.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Cole watching, his jaw tight, his eyes sharp.

"Welcome to your new home, Mistress Caldwell," Tristan said, his voice low and velvety. He straightened, his lips quirking into a faint smile as he bowed slightly, his gaze still locked on mine.

For a moment, I couldn't look away. His smile held a hint of mischief, as if he already knew the effect he had on me. And for all his charm, there was something dangerous beneath it—something I wasn't sure I could resist.