**Nora's POV**
I sat on the bed, my head bent low, clutching my cell phone to my ear as overwhelming rage and bitterness coursed through me. "Don't worry, Nora. I will remove her from your life," Dad said in an assuring tone, making me frown.
"How are you going to do that, Dad? Don't forget he's a mafia boss," I questioned, my frown deepening as I muttered a curse under my breath.
"No, Nora. He has let his guard down because of his daughter and dead mistress, and we are going to use just that." My legs grew numb from discomfort and anger, and I stood up abruptly, walking toward the door. After checking that no one was coming, I heaved a sigh and turned left toward the mirror, revealing my swollen face. The tingling sensation from his slap and punch still lingered, fueling my rage.
"I'm your daddy, Nora, and you have to trust me." I pursed my lips, drawing closer to the mirror. "I definitely trust you, Dad, but he loves Asher so much. I feel something terrible will happen if anything happens to her."
"Then make it look like an accident, Nora…" He paused, and after a moment of silence, he added, "And to execute this plan, we will have to use the new perfumer whom she is so fond of."
"You mean Peony?" I asked, my eyes widening in shock. "You want me to set Peony up?" I immediately covered my mouth with my hands to stifle any sound.
"This is your husband we're talking about, Nora. Don't you want him all to yourself?" Dad sounded so confident that the plan would work, and I was eager to take revenge for the embarrassment he caused me. A vengeful smile crept onto my face as I touched my cheek, feeling the lingering pain.
"Dad, how's that going to work? I don't even know where to begin," I grumbled, my frown deepening.
"That's why you have your father, Nora. You need to be smart if you want the plan to succeed." I stared at my reflection, feeling a wave of rage wash over me. Asher would pay over and over again for what she had done to me. I would make sure she paid for everything before I kicked her out of my house and my life forever.
"You've always been my favorite, Nora, and I can do anything for you as long as you play along. Can you do that for me?" I could picture him in his tall office building, clad in his favorite white suit, looking down from the window with a devilish grin.
"Pretend to care for the child, Nora. This way, you can easily win over her heart, and when she is eventually killed, no one will point a finger at you." Dad seemed logically right. My eyes widened, not out of shock or surprise, but excitement. Finally, a good plan to kill two birds with one stone.
"I love you, Dad! Thank you so much! I will do just that, even if it means pretending to love that disgusting little brat, as long as I achieve my goals."
"Good decision, Nora. The plan will be executed on November 25, her birthday, and no one can stop her fate. I will have her in my clutches and eliminate your troubles forever, my child," he shrieked, his tone filled with rage and resentment. My stomach did a little merry dance before he hung up.
I reluctantly dropped the phone on the bed, took a quick look at myself in the mirror, and decided to take a bath. After my much-needed bath, I decided to take a stroll around the mansion.
As I stepped out, my momentary happiness crushed. I froze in my spot as I beheld them at the corner of the passage, their attention drawn to the little demon. My eyes narrowed with rage when I saw the trio looking like a family. I felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and strangle both of them, but something caught my attention instead: the performer's striking resemblance to Asher. Stunned, I swallowed hard and fixed my gaze on the new perfumer, dazzled by her appearance. Instantly, my gaze shifted to Asher, who was clutching the woman with excitement.
What the hell? I fumed, feeling my heart stop for a moment. Did Asher just dance under the guidance of a stranger, or was I hallucinating? I rolled my eyes, fueled by the resentment I felt toward her. I turned around and saw Dragons, hands in his pockets, wearing an amused expression that inwardly screamed exhilaration.
"You are you," he said nonchalantly, his eyes fixed on the damsel who would soon be in distress. I smiled at the thought and nodded.
"I'm sorry," I muttered, startling him.
"You are what?" This time, Asher noticed my presence and ran toward me, causing me to groan inwardly with resentment.
"I said I'm sorry. I mean… for overreacting last night." I apologized, and to make it seem genuine, I added hastily, "I was just caught up in the heat of the moment, honey. I apologize." He grimaced as he watched my discomfort with disastrous pleasure.
"Mummy, meet my teacher, Miss Peony!" Asher's voice rang out. I turned my attention to the young lady, who was looking at me intently. I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes, bent down to her level, and ruffled her hair.
"She's beautiful, Asher, but Mama is more beautiful, right?" I questioned, holding her shoulders. She was in a pickle, and I could see tiny lines of discomfort on her face. It was a difficult situation for her, and I was glad for that fact. If she chose either of us, the other would be annoyed. I smiled, glaring intently into her wandering eyes. No one could save her from the tight spot I had put her in—not even her father, who acted powerless in her presence.
I shifted my gaze to Dragons. He was shooting daggers at me, and I averted my gaze with an eye roll. "Is your idol prettier than your mama?" The mess was becoming interesting. I glanced at the lady again; she seemed distracted by my questions, though she didn't interfere. I loved this dead silence; it brought me pleasure.
"Mum, you're so beautiful like the stars, and my idol is beautiful like the moon. Don't you think?" What the heck? It felt like a blow to my face. What kind of DNA did a little girl of six have? She was too smart and quick. I wished I could slap her.
"Really?" I asked, disgusted, adjusting her pillows.
"Yeah, Mum. It's just like that, and Dada is my superstar daddy, my hero." My stomach twisted at that moment; I just wanted to slap her across her little smart face.
"Don't you—"
"Enough, Nora!" Dragons rasped, cutting me off and frightening me. He took a stride and drew Asher closer to him. "Enough interrogation. Asher has a lesson to learn." I spitefully hugged her before I smiled.
"Yeah, sure. She has another perfumer teacher to teach her some stupid stuff," I muttered under my breath. He eyed me from head to toe and sadly said, "The nanny will take care of Asher." I nodded, turned on my heels to leave, but suddenly halted when I heard the little demoness's voice.
"Can you bathe me, please?" Swiftly, I turned to see her clinging to her wrist, her lips pouted and puppy eyes pleading. This action astounded me. Asher had never asked me for a bath with her.
Her pale face lit up with a glow of shock as she fluttered her eyes while I sized her up. What an arrogant jerk! I hated the insolent tone of her voice.
"Please, idol. It's not such a big request. We have matching pajamas, plus I feel warmth when I hug you." I was baffled, perplexed, and bemused. How the hell did Asher utter these words to a complete stranger?
"Watch your mouth, Asher. She is a complete stranger. Where are your manners?" I rasped.
"Sorry, Mum, and sorry, idol, for asking." Dragons was completely flummoxed by the whole situation. He stared silently at his daughter and then at the lady, who found the situation amusing.
"What a faker," I thought. Another gold digger in his life? Did she want to use Asher to get close to him? And Asher was already falling into her traps. Huff! Besides, there was no way she would accept her request on her first visit. Plus, she was a complete stranger and should think about herself.
I hissed, turning to look away, but the next statement shattered my glimmer of hope. "Why not? I'm your idol, after all." No sooner had she locked her arms around the demoness than I realized they looked like they had known each other forever. My eyes drifted to Dragons, reminding him that he was letting his favorite daughter be cared for by a stranger. But when I found him caught under the hypnosis of this lady, grinning from ear to ear without realizing it, I felt a conflicting sadness rush through my entire body.
Instantly, I became upset, turning vigorously like a vicious queen as I ambled toward the living room.
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**Peony's POV**
I was moved when she made the request, and the hope and sadness didn't go unnoticed. Something about her drew me in. She had similar emotions to mine, and I could read every one of them in her blue-green eyes. I swear I saw a shimmer of hope there. Overcome with emotions, I came close and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Thank you, idol. You've made me happy," she said, her tone like the dawning of a new day.
"Of course, Asher. I'm your idol, right? Plus, it's not such a big deal," I replied. She exhaled loudly and broke the hug.
"Can we go now to your room? My room?" she asked, her sweet tone blowing me away.
"Yes, I want to show you my mama's stuff before we take our baths. It will be fun."
"Really?" I asked, unsure of what was in her mind. However, she shook her head and stamped her feet on the floor like a cute soldier.
"Yeah! I'm allowed to see my mom's belongings every year on my birthday, and now that I'm turning six, Dad allows me to go into her room." She leaned in closer, as if telling a secret, and whispered in my ear, "Dada and I don't allow anyone into my mama's room."
My eyes widened. I drew nearer to her ear; we looked like little teenagers in our own world. "And why is that?"
"My Dada says it holds a lot of memories of my mother. She loved him very much, just like Asher loves Dada." Memories? Loved? What did she mean by that? Isn't that woman who looked rudely at us her mother? I thought, but before I could ask, her father broke into our conversation, grabbing Asher lightly by her arms.
"Enough, young lady. It isn't time to gossip, okay?" I rolled my eyes, folded my arms, and fiercely glared at him. Huff!
"Mr. Pervert," I thought. I think he heard me but chose to ignore it.
"And about your mama's room, Asher?" he asked.
"I know, Dada. I'm not supposed to reveal it to strangers, but Miss Peony isn't a stranger. She's a nice lady as well as my idol." Asher uttered, and the very next moment, she planted a kiss on his cheek. I watched, dazzled with awe. He responded with a cute peck on her cheek before sending her over to my side.
"She's all yours, Miss Peony, and she suits you," he hollered unsteadily. I frowned, took Asher's hand, and turned to leave, but stopped when he added with amusement, "Asher loves you very much. I've never seen her react this way to anyone. She is autistic, but I can't believe she is anymore after seeing her act this way today."
I halted in my tracks as his words sank into my heart. The innocent child may not know the meaning, but I definitely knew what he meant by that.
"Thank you for making my daughter happy, Miss Peony. I owe you a favor." I sighed as my eyes drifted to her. Her charming smile held so much innocence and warmth, and her eyes were filled with grief. My heart twinged with pangs of feeling. What happened to her mother? I wanted to ask, but I smiled slightly instead. I picked her up, awkwardly gazed into his eyes, and replied, "Thank you, sir!" before walking away.
I abruptly stopped when I turned around and spotted the very same lady with her arms firmly folded, looking directly into my eyes. I thought I was hallucinating. Her demeanor gave off icy and negative vibes.
"Stay away from my husband," she rasped, intimidating the poor soul who flinched back into my hold and buried her face against my body.
"I beg your pardon, Mrs.?" I frowned, but my comment only annoyed her further. She took two steps forward and fixed me with a ferocious glare.
"Stay away from my husband and child. They can never be yours. Don't think I don't know what's going on in that dump of a head of yours. He is not from your class and can never fall for a cheap slut like you."
I gasped in shock, anger written all over my face. "Don't act innocent, because you know what I mean, you whore," she gritted out, and my whole body stiffened. At that moment, I wanted to smash her head against the wall, but remembering Asher, who was clutching onto my clothes, I took a deep breath.
"Sorry, but I'm a perfumer, not a prostitute," I ranted, infuriated.
"Of course, that's what you all keep saying. Anyway, how am I looking?" She grinned, stepping inside and pushing me aside to look into the mirror.
I took another deep breath before staring at her. She was lucky I wasn't going to react because of Asher, or she would have been in for a world of hurt.
"Good," I replied.
She rolled her eyes. "Just that?" She spat out another word and marched toward me in pure disappointment, clutching my arms and squeezing them for no reason. I hissed as the pain became unbearable.
"Mum, stop! You're hurting her!" Asher pleaded, rolling out of my hold. She heard Asher's pleas but chose to ignore her.
"Don't we know you're dying to catch her attention?" she spitefully said, digging her nails into my flesh.
"Leave me!" I yelled, fighting the urge to protect the infant in my arms.
"And if I don't?" she chuckled, digging deeper into my flesh.
"Or…!" I clenched my teeth as I felt the outrageous anger rush through my body, causing me to hiss again.
"Or what?" she rasped. She was testing the waters.
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