CHAPTER 7

(Elisa's POV)

“Do you dare harm my great grandson in my presence Leonard?”

All eyes instinctively turned to the direction of the approaching figure. “Grandma!” Leonard exclaimed. “What're you doing here, shouldn't you already be having breakfast by now?” He voiced, his once disdainful tone showing concern.

“You expect me to sit and enjoy a meal while the life of my precious great grandson is being threatened by my unruly grandson.” she retorted, her brows deeply furrowing as she assessed the situation at hand. We looked eyes, her cold gaze lingering a little longer than expected as she then turned to Damian, sharing a knowing look with him before speaking. “I see” she voiced whilst glaring daggers at Leonard. “you should be ashamed of yourself” she continued, her voice taking an even firmer tone as her gaze once again shifted to me. “Causing a dispute between family members as a result of your incompetence, disgraceful. It seems your not just devoid of manner but common human decency as well”. I stared in confusion as she continued blaming me for everything that happened. “How am I to blame for any of this? My only mistake was…” “silence!!!” She interrupted, abruptly cutting me off. “How dare you talk back to your elder in such a rude manner? Did no one ever teach you to remain quiet when a person on higher authority speaks? It seems you truly can't fill the void of a mother in a child's life. Your father failed in his duties by raising such an unfilial daughter.” my anger boiled over at the mention of my parents, leading me to speak freely without the smallest sense of decorum. “That's rich coming from someone who raised a murderer, or have you forgotten? It's your son that killed my mother in the first place. Maybe if you had raised him any better I wouldn't be so unfilial.”

Her eyes widened upon hearing my words. “INSOLENT!!!” She yelled, clenching her chest firmly as she pointed her cane at me. “Take this vixen away now!!!” She exclaimed, ordering the maids to dragged me out. “Take her to the ancestral hall, she's to kneel there for 12 hours without any food or water and she’s not, under any circumstances permitted to leave until her punishment is over, not a second less”

“No, please. Great grandma she's already severely injured, we should have a doctor treat her injuries first. Please just forgive her this once.”Damian pleaded, urging her to excuse my behavior.

“Damian, are you refusing my orders? It seems you've truly been possessed by this vixen.” She spat, her anger even further enraged by Damian's intervention. “Maids!!! Take her away now. You have my permission to discipline her if she attempts resisting”. The maids then proceeded to grab me by force, prying me away from Damian. “Let me go!!!” I kicked and screamed but it was to no avail.

Damian tried intervening once more only to be met with an open threat. “If you say another word in favor of that insolent girl, I'll have her punishment double.” Damian, in fear of worsening the situation, admitted defeated. No longer faced with resistance from Damian, her mood improved. “Now, you should come with me so we can tend to your wound before it gets infected” she continued, forcing Damian away with her. “Oh, before I forget. Leonard, I'll be expecting a visit from you in an hours time, you have a lot of explaining to do” and with the see turned and left while I was violently dragged all the way to the ancestral hall, where I was roughly shoved to the ground by the maids. “How dare you?!!!” I retorted, in an act of resistance. “Kneel” the head maid commanded. I refused, helping myself up instead. Unsatisfied with my refusal she signaled the rest of the maids to hold me down and force me to my knees.

“Get your hands off me!!!” I demanded whilst actively trying to shake them off.

The head maids Impatience took root as she stormed up to me, striking me down with a crisp slap that echoed loudly across the hall. “I was given permission by madam to discipline you if necessary, so I'd suggest you stop resisting and just accept your punishment. The sooner you begin, the sooner it comes to an end.” the head maid voiced, requesting the maids to release their hold on me. “I feel pity for you, That's the only reason why I'll bother warning you this once, your willful nature in a household like this can get you killed or severely hurt, so stop trying to stand out by opposing those of higher authority, submit to them for a change, then maybe things won't be as bad for you.” … “and one final thing, avoid the young master Leonard at all costs, you're safer remaining by master Damian's side. Is that understood?” she questioned, her expression hinting at genuine concern. No longer having the strength to resist, I nodded in agreement, finally accepting my punishment.

MEANWHILE……

(Leonard's POV)

Just as grandma had requested, I was already awaiting her arrival at the East wing of the estate. By the time she finally returned from tending to Damian's wounds the sun had already set.

“Leo” she called out, her expression remaining calm as she questioned me regarding the earlier on events. “Would you care to explain your role in the commotion that took place earlier today?”

“There's nothing to explain grandma, that bratty little girl crossed me so I decided to teach her a simple lesson, That's all.” I responded. Unsatisfied with my answer, she continued staring coldly at me, awaiting a proper confession. “Fine, I admit to the fact that my reaction might have seemed a little too extreme but it was completely necessary. And regarding Damian's injury, I hadn't anticipated his involvement but was willing to let his intervention slide until his blatant disrespect surfaced, leading me to discipline my nephew a little on his father's behalf, besides it's my duty to guide him onto the right path, is it not?” I continued, calmly stating facts. “If anyone is to be held responsible for the escalation of the situation, then it's your beloved great grandson…” “Leonard!!!” She yelled, in an attempt to call me to order. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you didn't do any of this because of Elisa's striking resemblance to Annalise?” the room fell into stunned silence the moment those words escaped her lips.”