Chapter 3 The Arrogant Lady

Meanwhile, Olivia was brought by butler, Damon Cooper, to the Howard Manor.

The Howard Manor was massive—it took several minutes just to drive from the main gate to the mansion where the family resided.

When the car finally stopped, Olivia stepped out of the passenger seat, still wearing her wedding dress.

'Not even a single person here to greet me. Does Matthew have no status in this family, or is it me who has no status?'

Olivia grumbled internally when suddenly an elegant lady emerged from the mansion, cradling a small dog, with several maids following behind her.

The lady wore a purple silk robe, exuding an air of nobility as she stood on the front steps, gently stroking the Chihuahua's head. She looked down at Olivia, as if examining an object.

"Madam, Mrs. Olivia Howard has arrived."

Damon stepped forward and bowed.

'So this is Matthew's mother, Celeste Howard? She's maintained herself remarkably well. How could such a beautiful woman have produced such an unattractive son? Just how ugly must her husband be?'

Olivia thought sarcastically while stepping forward to curtsy.

"Mother, hello. I'm Olivia."

Celeste's Chihuahua barked twice at Olivia, emitting a threatening growl from its throat.

Celeste looked Olivia up and down, leaning back slightly.

"Can your family not afford proper clothing? You look like a vagrant."

Olivia glanced down at her wedding dress. During the earlier chase scene in the cathedral when she'd pursued Nathan and Seraphina with the gun, her dress had been torn and her hair had become disheveled, giving her a rather bedraggled appearance.

"I had a farewell moment with my family. Everyone was quite emotional, and they prepared a send-off ceremony for me."

Olivia lied smoothly, glancing at Damon.

Damon, remembering that unconventional "ceremony," twitched at the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, exactly."

Celeste glanced at Olivia, her disdain almost overflowing. She began petting the dog more forcefully, causing the pet to look up at her in confusion.

"I don't care what you were like in your family, but here you'll follow our rules. Rule number one: no dirty clothes inside the mansion."

Celeste glanced at one of the maids behind her.

"Mira, take her to bathe and change into clean clothes. She's not allowed to set foot in this mansion until then."

One of Celeste's maids nodded and walked up to Olivia, raising her chin.

"Follow me."

Olivia sensed Celeste's arrogance and had been mentally prepared for it. What normal mother would skip her own son's wedding anyway?

Olivia grumbled internally as she followed Mira Parker to the bathing area, but when they arrived, she was dumbfounded.

This was an extremely crude and dilapidated wooden shed, with a small lamb pen beside it. The pen was full of sheep manure, and the smell was nauseating.

Looking at the wash tub inside the wooden shed, Olivia's voice became shrill.

"Am I supposed to bathe next to a sheep pen?"

Mira looked at Olivia's angry expression and laughed disdainfully, clasping her hands behind her back and turning her face away.

"This is the most suitable place for you. In your current state, you don't even qualify to enter the servants' quarters."

Olivia was practically livid. She pointed at the sheep and laughed coldly.

"After I bathe, do I need to help you herd these sheep or perhaps roast some lamb chops? Damn it, I'm your heir's wife, not a farmhand."

"These sheep are Mrs. Celeste Howard's pets. She needs to chase these lambs for exercise—they're her playmates. You're not qualified to tend to them. Enough, I don't want to waste any more words. Hurry up and bathe, then go see the lady."

Mira waved her hand impatiently, as if shooing away a fly.

"I will not bathe here. I demand a modicum of respect."

Olivia raised her head high, her eyes full of defiance and resentment.

"It seems I need to teach you some of this family's rules on behalf of Mrs. Celeste Howard."

Mira snorted coldly and picked up a whip used for herding sheep from nearby. She cracked the whip in the air, the thin leather tip cutting through the air with a sharp snap.

"Last chance. Strip off those clothes and get in there to bathe."

Mira raised the whip high, her eyes full of malice.

Olivia looked at the whip, her pupils trembling slightly, then turned toward the water tub.

Seeing Olivia being so obedient, Mira's lips curved into a mocking smile.

But the next second, Olivia suddenly grabbed the wooden tub and splashed the water at Mira.

"You damn bitch, what are you doing?"

Mira raised her hands to block the water from her face, but in the next moment, Olivia had snatched the whip from her hands.

When Mira opened her eyes to see Olivia holding the whip, she screamed in terror.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Olivia wielded the whip with a cold smile.

"The person who can teach me manners hasn't been born yet. I need to teach you my rules first."

Olivia laughed coldly and cracked the whip against Mira's body. She immediately screamed in pain.

"You damn bitch, how dare you hit me!"

Mira pointed at Olivia accusingly, only to receive another lash across her hand.

"Damn it, stop! Oh God, it hurts! Stop it, I apologize, please stop!"

Mira cried and begged through the pain. Olivia eventually softened and lowered the whip.

Just then, Damon came rushing over.

"What are you doing? What happened here?"

Seeing Damon, Mira immediately rushed forward to tattle. She pointed at Olivia with wide eyes and complained.

"Mr. Cooper, this woman has no manners whatsoever—she actually whipped me! I must tell Madam and have this bitch punished."

"You're more of a bitch than I am," Olivia sneered.

She had felt sorry for Mira's pitiful screaming and had softened momentarily, never expecting the woman to turn around and frame her.

"Mrs. Olivia Howard? What's going on here?"

Damon pointed at the whip in Olivia's hand with a puzzled expression, clearly not entirely believing Mira's words.

Olivia angrily pointed at Mira, then at the wash tub in the wooden shed.

"Mr. Cooper, this damn woman wanted me to bathe in this shack, right next to a sheep pen. Are you telling me this massive manor doesn't have a proper bathroom for me? Why are you humiliating me like this?"

"What?"

Damon turned to look at Mira, who averted her gaze.

"Mr. Cooper, don't believe her. This woman is lying."

Olivia laughed coldly.

"How would I know where the sheep pen is on my first day here?"

"That's completely out of line, Mira! How dare you humiliate Olivia like this? She's Matthew's wife! Do you want me to report this to him?"

Damon angrily pointed at Mira and shouted.

Mira jumped in fright and quickly apologized.

"Mr. Cooper, this is a misunderstanding. I was just trying to play a little prank on our new bride."

"Threatening me with a whip and saying you'd teach me a lesson didn't seem much like a prank," Olivia exposed her lie.

Mira glared at her with venom.

Butler Damon stepped between the two women and waved his hand.

"Enough. You leave now. I'll take her to a proper bathroom."

Mira nodded, shot one last venomous look at Olivia, and walked away.

After Mira left, butler Damon turned around with an expressionless face and said, "Please follow me."

Olivia nodded and followed behind him.

Though the people in this family were all arrogant, at least there were some who could be reasoned with, like the butler in front of her.

"This is a guest suite with a private bathroom. You can bathe here first."

Damon prepared the bathing supplies for Olivia and left the room.

Olivia surveyed her surroundings. The décor was incredibly luxurious, exuding an aura of nobility. Even the curtains were rich purple, making it feel like stepping into an aristocratic palace.

But Olivia's mood had been thoroughly soured, and she had no appetite for appreciating the luxury.

The vanity table was covered with high-end cosmetics.

Olivia's mood improved slightly, but she soon frowned upon noticing that all the cosmetics had been opened and used.

Thinking of that detestable Mira, Olivia guessed these cosmetics had probably been used by the maids.

"My status in this family is truly lower than the dog's."

Olivia laughed bitterly at herself. She had no intention of complaining, as no one would listen to her anyway.

Suddenly Olivia's phone buzzed with a message from her best friend Esme Green, inviting her to an evening gathering. Lucas Williams would be there, too.

Seeing Lucas's name, a flash of pain crossed Olivia's face.