Chapter 4 - The Friends' Cruelty
The heavy, suffocating atmosphere in the resort lobby grew incredibly toxic.
Vanessa’s three friends snickered openly, staring at Margaret’s classic navy linen dress and simple pearl earrings with unfiltered disgust. They were women who worshipped flashy labels and extreme wealth, entirely unaware that true power rarely felt the need to scream.
"I don't know why she's throwing a tantrum," one of the friends whispered loudly to Vanessa, intentionally making sure Margaret could hear. "She's like sixty. What is she going to do in a penthouse anyway? Watch the local news?"
"Right?" another friend giggled, adjusting her designer sunglasses. "She should be grateful Vanessa even let her tag along on a young person's trip."
Vanessa smiled a vicious, sociopathic smile. She completely thrived on the humiliation of others. She walked over to a nearby marble side table, grabbed a basic, white key-card envelope meant for the standard rooms, and aggressively shoved it directly into Margaret’s hands.
"Here," Vanessa demanded, her tone shifting from fake sweet to openly hostile. "Go unpack. We have reservations at the Michelin-star restaurant downstairs at eight. Don't be late, and please, wear something a little less... depressing."
A tight close-up captured Margaret’s face.
She didn't physically flinch. The hurtful, toxic words landed, but they didn't break her. A profound, terrifying shift occurred deep behind her dark eyes.
She had spent five years trying to be the perfect, accommodating mother-in-law. She had bought their house, funded their lifestyle, and swallowed her pride a thousand times just to maintain a relationship with her son.
May you like
But Daniel’s absolute refusal to look up from his phone had permanently severed the final string of her mercy.
👉 Margaret slowly looked down at the cheap white key card, entirely ready to execute a flawless corporate slaughter.
