Chapter 6

LAURA

Laura's grip on the steering wheel tightened as she drove back to Miller Estate. Her eyes almost narrowed to slits due to the anger she felt toward Draco. She was mad--no, she was furious.

She was at her clinic when Andi called her and told her about Draco's orders.

When Andi broke the news, her voice was laced with sadness, and Laura could tell she was struggling to hold back tears. Draco had ordered everyone working at Miller Estate to be kicked out, including Andi - essentially firing them all.

Laura knew why Draco did that. Their family attorney had called her, informing her that he'd sent Draco the annulment papers signed by her, despite Draco's warning of consequences for annulling their marriage.

"But I'll give you a heads up on what will happen if you dare to file for annulment. You'll completely lose Miller Estate. And I'll fire everyone working here at the Estate and replace them all," Laura recalled Draco's threat from their last conversation.

She didn't take his threat seriously, thinking he wouldn't be able to follow through on it. She thought he was just trying to scare her. So, she spoke with their attorney to file for annulment from Draco.

After work at the clinic, she planned to visit her father and ask if he knew anything about Draco, particularly what drove the man's actions toward her family. She wanted to understand why Draco harbored such intense anger toward her father and why she was caught in the crossfire.

Laura's grip on the steering wheel tightened as she saw Miller Estate workers walking with their belongings, their shoulders slumped. Some were crying, and the sight felt like a punch to her gut, filling her with anguish.

She felt sorry for them, knowing this was their only livelihood. Some had worked for her mother since she was alive, and others had grown old and started families there.

Laura stopped her car in front of them, halting their footsteps. She rolled down the window on her side.

"Ma'am Laura," they chimed in unison, their faces lighting up upon seeing her. They approached her, and Laura's heart ached as she spotted crying children among them.

"Go back home, everyone. No one's leaving the Estate," she told them, noticing a spark of hope in their eyes as they absorbed her words.

"But the new owner of the Estate is letting us all go," another worker said, despair etched on his face.

"I'm still the owner of the Estate, so I'm the only one who decides who stays or goes. Please return to your homes," she told them.

The workers replied, "Thank you very much, Ma'am Laura."

"We've grown old here and have fallen in love with the Miller Estate. It's hard for us to leave this place."

"We also thank you, Ma'am. Without you, the Estate wouldn't have thrived," they replied.

"Alright, I'll head off now. I have some matters to attend to," Laura said, taking her leave.

After bidding farewell, Laura drove back to the mansion. Upon arrival, she saw the household staff's belongings piled outside, as if they were already preparing to leave.

Laura didn't bother parking her car properly, turning off the engine before stepping out. She clenched her fist as she walked towards the mansion. Upon entering, she saw the household staff, including Andi.

The staff greeted her in unison, "Ma'am Laura," their faces etched with sadness. Some were crying openly. "We were waiting for you to bid farewell," Andi explained, her voice tinged with emotion.

"Thank you very much, Ma'am. Thank you for your kindness and for the help you've given us," another staff member said, overcome with emotion, tears streaming down her face. Seeing her, the others couldn't hold back their tears either.

Laura bit her lower lip, fighting back tears, but they spilled down her face anyway. She felt the staff's desperation deeply. As tears fell from her eyes, she quickly wiped them away. "Put your belongings back. No one's leaving here," she said, her voice firm.

"B-but Laura, Draco ordered us to leave. He'll be angry if we don't comply." Laura licked her lips nervously. "He has no right to fire you, he's not the owner of the Estate or this mansion," she replied. Just as she was about to say more, she was interrupted by a deep baritone voice behind her.

"It seems you still don't realize who the real owner of this Estate is." They turned simultaneously to see Draco Atlas Smith standing on the stairs.

Draco wore a white V-neck shirt that showcased his chiseled chest, paired with faded pants.

His piercing eyes glared intensely at them. He stood there like a king commanding his servants. "And why are you all still here? I already fired you," he said harshly to his household staff.

She sensed the staff's fear, some lowering their gaze in submission. "You won't fire any of them," she said firmly.

Draco's eyebrows almost merged into a single line as he locked eyes with her, but Laura refused to back down.

"Andi, please leave us for now and bring your belongings back inside. No one's leaving this mansion until I say so," she said, glancing briefly at Andi. "O-okay, Laura," Andi replied. The staff dispersed to follow her instructions.

When she looked up at Draco again, she saw anger blazing in his eyes because the staff obeyed her instead of him. Clearly, he didn't like it. But Laura didn't care if he exploded in anger. She was furious too.

Draco came down the stairs, his eyes locked on hers, his face unreadable. The intensity in his gaze was unnerving. It felt like he could freeze her in place with a single look.

Despite feeling fear and trembling inside, she didn't show it. She met Draco's intense gaze with equal intensity.

"You have no right to fire them—"

"Oh, I have every right, Laura," he cut her off. "I have all the legal documents proving that I am the new owner of Miller Estate," he added, emphasizing the word "new owner" for her benefit.

"It's still Miller Estate, and I am an Miller. Does that mean this Estate is mine?" she countered, emphasizing her surname, Miller.

He smirked. "Looks like you've forgotten. You're legally married to me. That makes you Laura Smith now," he countered, mimicking her emphasis, highlighting the surname Smith. "And I'm thinking of changing the Estate's name. I'll rename it Estate Smith. It suits it, don't you think?"

Laura couldn't help but glare at him. "Don't you dare," she said in a stern voice.

"Oh, I'd love to dare," he replied sarcastically. Then, his expression turned serious. "And what are you still doing here in my territory? I warned you already, but you didn't take it seriously."

"I don't want to associate with a heartless man like you," she spat at him.

He raised an eyebrow. "You called me an asshole last time, and now a heartless man. But I like it anyway. It suits my personality," he said proudly. "And I told you, you'll see just how much of an asshole I can be, and how heartless, if you don't follow my orders."

"And if I don't follow your orders?"

He shrugged. "Feel free to leave my territory. The door is open for you. Take all your workers with you too."

He is really a heartless.

She glared at him again, and Draco's expression turned even more serious. He stepped closer, inches from her face, and leaned in to whisper, "As I said, this is my territory, I am the law, and my words are what should be followed here," he breathed into her ear.

Draco pulled back, his eyes locking onto hers. "And don't you dare glare at me again, Laura. I'm letting it slide this time. But if you do it again, you won't like the consequences," he warned her. "Take my warning seriously. You won't like me when I'm angry."

"And be a good girl, Laura. Go to the kitchen and cook lunch for me," he ordered, then turned and walked away, leaving her standing there.