Mated to the Mad Lord-Chapter 93: Family Business

June was sitting in the parlor of their newly renovated house, which was only a bit better than it had been before, when she heard a knock on the door, right before someone walked in.

"Oliver!" she said, looking up to see him stride in, with Sarah walking in right behind him. A huge frown was plastered on Sarah’s face as she immediately moved to sit beside her mother.

Tears were already filling Sarah’s eyes as she spoke. "Mother!" she cried, hugging her mother’s arm as tightly as she could, even as Oliver glared at her from where he had sat a few feet away.

"Cut it out! Mother doesn’t have any money to give you! It’s your fault for spending it all!" Oliver snapped, ignoring the glare Sarah sent his way as she shot back at him.

"You earn at least 500 more than I do!" she said, her voice tinged with anger.

"Liar!" Oliver retorted. "With all the men you seduce while waitering, do you really think I don’t know how much more you earn in tips? I wash cars, Sarah! At least I’m doing actual work!"

"Do you know how much clothes I need to buy to attract more wealthy people?"

"You’re a fool! You could buy all the prettiest clothes in the world, and you’d still look plain!" Oliver responded with a roll of his eyes, earning Sarah’s full ire as she instantly jumped to her feet, ready to launch herself at him. But they all froze when they heard footsteps by the door.

Their petty argument sobered instantly as they saw Luke, their father, walk in and move straight to sit on the only chair left in the room.

"Father..." Sarah began to speak in a sweet voice, only for him to cut her off and stomp down whatever she’d been planning to say.

"I don’t have any money. Not since I’ve been fired from work!" Luke snapped, his face tight with a huge frown as he stared at his hand, where two of his fingers were missing.

"But Father—"

"Ask your sister when she returns! I’m sure she’ll give you more than enough," Luke said with an annoyed expression, warning her not to continue asking him for money.

But as soon as Luke finished speaking, Sarah shook her head, her frown deepening. "Violet is not my sister! She’s just someone—"

She didn’t get to finish. The glare Luke directed her way was enough to freeze her in place.

His voice rose sharply as he shut her up before she could continue. "Are you mad? How dare you!"

"Sarah! You know better!" June added in a disapproving tone, glancing at the door as if to make sure they were still alone.

"But it’s true, isn’t it?" Sarah asked. "...It’s crazy that she herself hasn’t realized it. What if it’s the main reason why she hasn’t shown up? She’s allowed to leave once a week, right? We were supposed to see her yesterday!"

The worried expressions on their faces betrayed their thoughts, especially when it became clear that what Sarah suggested could very well be true.

"Violet loves us! Do you really think she’d leave us like that?" June finally spoke, breaking the shared silence as they exchanged a knowing look.

"All I care about is the money! Flint says that after a year, your debt would be completely erased! What are we going to do then? I refuse to keep living in abject poverty!" Oliver snapped, a fury burning in his eyes as he spoke.

"You provided for her all these years. It’s only fair we get back all the money—with interest. Besides, it’s not like we’re killing her!" Oliver continued, hinting at the plan they had all previously agreed upon.

"Flint has agreed to give us the full payment once he picks her up!" Luke added, looking around with satisfaction at the expressions on his children’s faces. But his gaze landed on June, whose hesitation was still written all over her face. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"Violet is family at this point! Don’t you all feel even the—"

Luke cut her off before she could finish, his much louder voice silencing hers.

"We’re selling her, June! We’re not killing her! After a couple of years of work, she’ll be able to pay for her freedom!"

"Mother! We’re not hurting her! Besides, Violet will be treated like a VIP, and she might even meet a sponsor who’d pay off her price in a week!" Sarah added, barely a trace of concern in her voice as she focused on the enormous amount of money they’d receive.

One million! The figure alone was enough to crush what little conscience she had left about selling Violet to Flint once she was done working at the Lord’s mansion.

"Mother, you’re too soft! If it makes you feel better, we can pretend Father’s in debt again, like we did before!" Oliver said.

But Luke immediately jumped to his feet, swearing loudly at him as his fists shook. His entire body trembled as he barely held himself back from hitting Oliver.

"...I lost two fingers! That madman Flint deserves to die!" Luke raged, but Oliver simply rolled his eyes, fixing his gaze on his father’s prosthetic fingers—ones that had been paid for with the last of their money.

"We need more money! And this time, we’ll make sure to do it right!" Luke declared before storming out of the room, ignoring the gazes of the three as they followed him with their eyes.

"But what if she finds out that we’re still working at Rexter’s club after she told us not to?" Sarah asked, her voice laced with worry as she watched Oliver rise from his seat, seemingly unconcerned.

He shrugged, a sly expression playing across his face. "Are you going to tell her?" he replied casually, before walking into the room they shared.

Left alone with June, Sarah noticed her mother sitting on her seat with her head down, on the brink of tears. June’s hands trembled slightly as she paused her sewing, the unfinished garment in her lap.

"Violet is your sister! I’ve taken care of her since she was—"

Sarah cut her off sharply, her tone impatient. "It’s fine if you want to be sold in her place, Mother!"

The words were snapped out with an edge of bitterness, her frustration evident as she stood abruptly.

"I just don’t think Flint will buy you for that price!" Sarah added, her voice dripping with anger as she stormed out of the room.

June was left alone, staring down at the sewing in her lap, unable to stop the tears from welling up in her eyes. She remained there in silence, the weight of her daughter’s harsh words settling heavily on her shoulders, not daring to look back as Sarah disappeared.