Chapter 9

Cole and I rushed down the hallway, following the sound of the screams. My heart pounded as I turned the corner, expecting to find something horrible. Instead, I froze.

Chloe had Ashley by the hair, yanking her head back while Ashley struggled, trying to scratch at Chloe's hands.

"What the hell?!" I shouted.

"Let me go, you psycho bitch!" Ashley screeched, kicking wildly.

"Oh, NOW I'm a psycho?!" Chloe shot back, gripping Ashley's hair even tighter. "Say that again! Go on, I dare you!"

Ashley whimpered, struggling harder. "You're crazy!"

Chloe yanked her harder. "That's not what you said earlier, you little—"

"Chloe!!" I yelled, finally snapping out of my shock.

She turned to me, still holding onto Ashley's hair. "She insulted me, Astrid, over and over again!"

Ashley's face was red as she clawed at Chloe's hand. "Not enough it seems."

"Oh really?" Chloe sneered. "You called me a 'charity case' and told me to 'know my place.' So I'm just helping you find yours—on the damn floor!"

With that, Chloe shoved her, making Ashley stumble.

Before she could launch another attack, Cole stepped in and grabbed Chloe, pulling her back. "That's enough."

Ashley quickly scrambled to her feet, fixing her hair like she hadn't just been dragged through a battlefield. "She attacked me for no reason!" she cried, glaring at me like I was supposed to fix it.

"For no reason?" Chloe laughed bitterly, still struggling against Cole's grip. "You opened your mouth, and I did the world a favor by shutting it!"

Ashley gasped like she'd been mortally wounded. "Your so barbaric and violent."

"Oh, I'm violent now? You're lucky Cole got in the way, because I was just getting started," Chloe snapped.

Cole let out a heavy sigh. "Can we not have a full-blown brawl at seven in the morning?"

"She started it," Chloe mumbled, crossing her arms.

Ashley huffed, flipping her hair dramatically. "This is ridiculous. I won't stand for this treatment."

"Then sit down," Chloe shot back immediately.

Cole tightened his grip on her arm. "Chloe."

"What? That was a good one."

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh. "Alright, enough. Chloe, no more fighting please."

Chloe frowned but didn't argue.

Ashley scoffed. "I should have you thrown out for this."

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "By who? Because last I checked, Astrid owns this house now. And if you insult me again, I'll personally escort you out."

Ashley looked at me, expecting me to disagree. I just shrugged. "She's not wrong."

Her mouth fell open before she let out an exaggerated sigh and stomped away. "Unbelievable!"

As soon as she was gone, Chloe smirked. "That was fun."

I sighed. "You can't just go around attacking people."

"Yeah, yeah," Chloe muttered, stretching like she just finished a workout. "But she won't try me again."

I shook my head. "You're impossible."

"But you love me," she said with a grin.

I sighed. "Unfortunately."

Cole cleared his throat, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Chloe, you can't just go around attacking people every time they say something you don't like."

Chloe scoffed. "Oh, but they can say whatever they want to me? I'm just supposed to stand there and take it?"

"Yes," Cole said firmly. "Because that's how grown-ups handle things."

Chloe was about to reply when we heard more footsteps echoing down the hallway. Great. Just what we needed—an audience.

Maria, Paul, and Tristan appeared, all looking annoyed. Behind them, a few nosy servants hovered, pretending to be busy while clearly eavesdropping.

"What the hell is going on?" Paul demanded, arms crossed.

Ashley, who was standing next to Maria explained dramatically. "I was ATTACKED!"

Chloe snorted. "Oh, please. If I attacked you, you wouldn't be standing."

Maria gasped. "How dare you attack my daughter you uncivilized gremlin."

"Exactly mum ," Ashley hissed, rubbing her scalp. "She's a violent little gremlin who needs to be caged."

Chloe's eyes flashed. "Say that again and see what happens."

Cole sighed, rubbing his temples. "Enough. No one is attacking anyone else."

Tristan leaned against the wall, looking amused. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing round two."

Maria shot him a glare. "Tristan, don't encourage this nonsense."

Chloe smirked at Tristan. "See? At least someone appreciates quality entertainment."

Maria turned on her with a look of pure disgust. "You are an embarrassment. A wild animal with no self-control."

Chloe crossed her arms. "And you're a pretentious hag with an inflated sense of importance."

Maria gasped, hand flying to her chest like Chloe had struck her. "You little—"

Ashley jumped in, her voice dripping with venom. "You're nothing but a leech, Chloe. You and your sister should be on your knees thanking us for letting you stay here."

Chloe tilted her head. "On my knees? Sounds like something you're more experienced with."

Ashley let out a dramatic gasp, looking at her mother in outrage. "Mum! Are you just going to let her talk to me like this?"

"You are a disgrace, just like your sister. No class. No refinement."

"Oh, we have *plenty* of class," Chloe said sweetly. "We just don't waste it on people who don't deserve it."

Tristan chuckled under his breath. "I'm really enjoying this."

Ashley snapped at him, "Pick a side, Tristan!"

He shrugged. "Why? This is way more fun."

Maria turned to Me, her expression tight with barely contained rage. "If you don't rein in your sister, I WILL."

That was it. I'd had enough.

"Enough." My voice cut through the chaos like a blade, sharp and clear. Everyone fell silent. Even Chloe looked slightly surprised.

I took a step forward, my gaze sweeping over the room. "This is the last time any of you insult my sister in front of me. I don't care who you are, how much money you have, or what you think you're entitled to—if you disrespect her again, we're going to have a real problem."

Maria narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me," I said coolly.

She looked like she wanted to argue, but I didn't give her the chance. I turned to Chloe next.

"And you," I said, my voice firm. "Stop picking fights. I get it. They're infuriating. But you don't need to stoop to their level."

Chloe blinked. "But—"

"No 'buts.' You're smarter than this. Don't waste your energy on people who aren't worth it."

She pursed her lips but nodded, crossing her arms. "Fine."

Maria huffed. "This is absolutely ridiculous."

"Then leave," I said simply. "No one's forcing you to stand here."

Maria's face turned an alarming shade of red, but instead of responding, she spun on her heel and stormed away, dragging Ashley with her.

Tristan let out a low whistle with a smirk. "That was… interesting. It was the best part of my morning."

I rolled my eyes. "Glad I could entertain you."

As the rest of the family dispersed, Cole lingered, looking at me with something close to admiration.

"That was impressive," he admitted. Then, after a beat, he added, "But if you think this is bad… wait until you get to the company."

I sighed, already dreading whatever was coming next.