Devilish secretary - Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Human doll, what are you hiding?

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Human doll, what are you hiding?

After work, Lilith changed into her comfortable clothes, opting for a loose t-shirt and a pair of soft lounge pants.

She tied her hair into a messy bun, her mind preoccupied.

She glanced at the nearly empty toothpaste tube and the dwindling groceries in her kitchen.

Shopping is definitely overdue, she thought.

But something else tugged at her curiosity-a nagging thought about her boss, Sebastian.

His strange behavior lately had piqued her interest.

Sitting cross-legged on her bed, her laptop balanced on her lap, she typed her thoughts into a popular forum known for answering all kinds of questions.

The question she posted read: “What’s wrong with my boss if he sometimes behaves rude and cold but other times becomes entirely different-cheerful and warm?

It’s like he’s two different people.” She hesitated for a moment before hitting post.

Closing the laptop, she sighed, knowing she wouldn’t get immediate answers.

Lilith climbed down from her bed, slipping into her comfy slippers.

Walking into the bathroom, she splashed her face with cold water, letting it refresh her.

Staring at herself in the mirror, she muttered, “Groceries, skincare, and toothpaste… Let’s get this done.” Switching into casual but presentable clothes-jeans and a simple black top-she grabbed her bag and stepped out of her apartment.

The evening air was cool, and the streets were alive with people.

She pulled her phone from her pocket, glanced at it briefly, and put it away.

“Shopping first, answers later,” she muttered, heading toward her nearby store.

Lilith had always liked solving mysteries.

And this one?

It was starting to become her favorite kind.

She pushed the door open to the store, Grabbing a basket, she made her way down the aisles, picking up groceries and her usual skincare essentials.

Even as she compared the ingredients on two different products, her thoughts were elsewhere.

“human doll, what are you hiding?” By the time she reached the checkout counter, she had made up her mind.

Whatever the reason behind his mood swings, his sudden changes, she was going to figure it out.

*** Rose, who had just returned home after her course classes, strolled into the living room, her bag slung lazily over her shoulder.

She was about to plop down on the sofa when her grandmother’s sharp voice rang out.

“Rose!!” Her entire body froze.

Shivers ran down her spine, and she turned slowly, her big eyes widening in panic.

“Grandma,” she squeaked, her voice barely audible.

Her gaze fell on her grandmother, who stood with an icy expression, holding her sketchbook.

The very sketchbook where she had drawn detailed portraits of her favorite male celebrity.

Rose gulped audibly, her heart sinking to her stomach.

“Rose,” Grandma Bria began, her voice dark and Sharp, “what is this?” Sienna stood smugly behind her, arms crossed, a triumphant smirk plastered on her face.

Rose immediately knew who had snitched.

“I-I…

it’s nothing, Grandma,” Rose stammered, taking a hesitant step forward.

Her mind raced, trying to think of a plausible excuse, but it was impossible to think straight under her grandmother’s piercing gaze.

Grandma Bria flipped open the sketchbook, revealing a page filled with detailed pencil sketches of a well-known male celebrity, his chiseled jawline and dreamy eyes captured perfectly.

“Nothing?” she repeated, her voice filled with disappointment.

“This is what you’ve been doing instead of focusing on your studies and lessons?

Drawing this man?” Rose’s cheeks turned scarlet.

“It’s…

for practice,” she mumbled.

“For my art practice!” “Art practice?” Grandma Bria’s brow arched.

She flipped through more pages, showing sketches of the same man in various poses-smiling, angry, even one where his shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a hint of abs.

“This doesn’t look like practice.

This looks like an obsession!” Sienna giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Oh, Grandma,” she said, feigning concern but barely able to hide her glee.

“It’s so sweet, though.

Rose must have a little crush.” “Crush?!” Rose exclaimed, her voice going up an octave.

She glared at Sienna.

“I do NOT have a crush!” “Rose,” Grandma Bria’s voice was sharp, making Rose shrink back.

“You are wasting your time and bringing shame to this family.

What would your brother say if he knew you were doing this nonsense?” Rose clenched her fists, trying to hold back her tears.

“It’s not nonsense, Grandma,” she muttered under her breath.

Grandma Bria sighed heavily, shaking her head.

“You need to focus on your future, young lady.

I’m confiscating this sketchbook.” “What?!” Rose’s jaw dropped.

She lunged forward, but her grandmother held the sketchbook firmly.

“Grandma, you can’t!” “It’s for your own good,” Grandma Bria said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“Now go to your room and reflect on your actions.” Rose stood her ground, her eyes blazing with defiance for the first time.

“No, Grandma, not for my own good!

I like art, and I’ll explore more of what I love.

You can’t stop me!

Yes, I’m not perfect, but at least I’m not fake like your precious Sienna!” Her voice rang out through the living room, loud and firm, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

Grandma Bria’s eyes widened in shock, the words cutting through her like a sharp blade.

She had never heard Rose raise her voice before, let alone speak with such boldness-and such vulgarity.

“How dare you,” Grandma Bria hissed, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief.

Her hand shot up, and before Rose could react, a sharp slap landed on her cheek.

The sound echoed in the room.

Rose staggered back slightly, her hand instinctively flying to her burning cheek.

Tears welled up in her big eyes, but they didn’t fall.

Instead, she straightened herself, her jaw tightening as she looked her grandmother straight in the eye.

“That’s all you know how to do,” Rose said, her voice steady but laced with pain.

“Control, scold, and punish.

You don’t understand me, and you don’t even try to.” Grandma Bria’s voice thundered through the room.

“If you can’t live as we told you, get out of my house!” Her tone was sharp, cutting through the tense silence like a blade.

Rose, her cheeks flushed with anger, glared back at her grandmother.

“Fine!

I can’t live in a house where a grandmother like you rules!

Shame on you!

You should learn from Jessica’s grandmother-she’s cool, understanding, and actually knows how to treat people.

You?

You’re just an old thinker stuck in your ways!” Grandma Bria gasped, clutching her chest as though the words had physically struck her.

“This… this girl…” she stammered, her face pale.

Before anyone could stop her, Rose spun on her heel and ran toward the door, her steps quick and furious.

The sound of the door slamming behind her was the final punctuation to her outburst.

Grandma Bria’s eyes widened, her breath hitching as she swayed slightly.

“This… this girl…” she repeated weakly, her voice trembling with disbelief.

She stumbled backward, her legs unsteady, and for a moment it looked like she might collapse.

“Grandma!” Sienna cried out, rushing forward to steady her.

She wrapped an arm around Grandma Bria’s shoulders, helping her sit down.

“This… this girl has lost her mind!” Grandma Bria muttered, her voice filled with both shock and hurt.

“How could she say such things to me?

Comparing me to… to Jessica’s grandmother?” Sienna patted her arm comfortingly, though the corners of her lips twitched upward in a small smirk.

“Don’t worry, Grandma,” she said softly, “she’s just young and reckless.

She doesn’t understand what’s best for her, but we’ll fix it.

I’ll make sure she comes around.” Grandma Bria shook her head, her expression a mix of sadness and anger.

“Ungrateful girl.

After everything I’ve done for her… this is how she repays me.” Sienna, ever the opportunist, gave her a sympathetic look.

“Don’t worry, Grandma.

I’m here for you.

You don’t need to stress over her.

Let her cool off and realize her mistake.” But deep down, Sienna was already plotting how to use this situation to her advantage.

“Grandma, I think Rose has been keeping bad company,” she said, her voice soft but firm.

“She never used to raise her voice at you like that.” Grandma Bria frowned deeply, her expression a mix of sadness and anger.

“I think so too, child.

This behavior is so unlike her.

I need to investigate who she’s been spending time with.” She sighed heavily and reached out to hold Sienna’s hands, her grip firm as if seeking reassurance.

“However, my dear, can you come and stay here for a while?

Teach Rose some manners and help her get back on track.

Don’t worry-I’ll handle Sebastian and anyone else who dares to question it.” Sienna’s heart raced with excitement, but she maintained her calm, sweet aura.

“Of course, Grandma.

I’d do anything to help Rose.

She’s like a little sister to me, and I don’t want to see her go down the wrong path.” Grandma Bria nodded, her relief evident.

“I knew I could count on you.

With you here, Rose will have a proper role model.

And don’t let Sebastian intimidate you, if he has any complaints, send him to me.

I’ll set him straight.” Sienna smiled warmly, though inside she was basking in her triumph.

Living here would bring her closer to Sebastian and give her the perfect chance to solidify her place in the family.