Brianna recalled what Jodie had suggested to her. I should show her I'm not just a meek little lamb, or I will just get bullied. I have to put up with Scott and his grandparents just because Scott is paying for mum's treatment, but I don't have to put up with her!
"Don't you threaten me with my mother!" Brianna suddenly picked up a knife on the table and pointed it at Sophia. "If you ever hurt my mother, as long as I live, I will slice your face and take revenge!"
Frightened, Sophia staggered and stared at Brianna open-mouthed. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and had been brought up spoiled by her brother and father. No one ever dared to say no to her. Brianna was the first person that ever challenged her.
Just as she was to shout back at Brianna, she noticed Scott had just arrived, standing at the door. Immediately, she changed her attitude again and spoke gently, "It takes patience and love to cook, especially for someone we love. It's ok that you don't know how to cook. I can show you, but please don't wave the knife about, it's scary."
What?! She's such a chameleon! Brianna thought and turned around to see Scott watching quietly. Their eyes met, yet Scott appeared as distant as usual. He was walking towards her. Brianna put the knife back on the table.
Like a frightened little puppy, Sophia hurried to Scott and hugged him. "Oh, Scott. She's a crazy one. Did you see her with the knife just then?"
Scott looked at Sophia's arm with disdain, and reluctantly, Sophia retreated her arm and moved a step away from Scott.
"What were you doing with the knife?" Scott asked Brianna indifferently.
Before Brianna answered, Sophia said hurriedly, "Ben and Sue invited me here, and she has been trying to kick me out." Sophia pointed at Brianna accusingly, "If I knew she would be here as well, I would not have come."
"When has the proud Miss Sophia Moore become so soft?" Scott said coldly.
Sophia was stunned at first, then she smiled and said, "Well, it's for love. I'm happy to give up my pride for love, for you."
"Don't do anything for me. It won't be appreciated." Scott said without taking a look at Sophia. "This is my home. I'm going to decide who is welcome and who is not."
"Scott, we shall at least show Miss Moore some respect. I mean, she's a guest invited by your grandparents, after all. I'm completely fine with her, but of course, it's up to you." Brianna responded cleverly.
Scott was rather impressed by Brianna's witty response and her guts. Well played, Brianna. He thought. Looking at the face that resembled Sol so much, Scott couldn't help thinking about the little angel that saved him. I wonder if she is also as tough as Brianna.
Worried, Sue Anderson went to the kitchen to check if the three were ok. The tension seemed to disappear as soon as they saw her coming.
Gently, Brianna said to Scott, "Scott, I'd better leave Sophia alone. She thinks I can't cook, and I'm too clumsy to be of any help anyway."
Can't Brianna cook? Ha-ha. She's very likely a much better chef than our master chef. Scott thought and smiled. She's a clever one. I will play along then. Scott understood Brianna's intention and nodded. He followed Brianna out of the kitchen.
Sue watched them leave, then smiled at Sophia and left.
Left alone in the kitchen to do all the cooking, Sophia stomped her feet angrily and cursed quietly. Ahh! Bitch! Shit! I never had to cook for anyone! I hate working in the kitchen!
Helplessly, she spent an hour or so busy cooking, but Scott had not come in once to talk to her.
Scott was watching TV with a glass of wine. Brianna didn't dare to be too close to him, so she sat down opposite him instead. She noticed the delicious snacks and drinks on the tea table, but she would not touch them, knowing that they were prepared for Sophia.
"Brianna, you have my permission to be a little rebellious now and then, but never in this house. If you can't please my grandparents, you can at least put up with them and cause any trouble." Scott said indifferently, his eyes fixed on the screen.
Brianna pouted her lips. "But she was insulting me and, what's worse, threatening me with my mother."
"You can fight back as long as you don't displease my grandparents, or I can't help you," Scott said plainly. He showed no affection, but somehow Brianna found him supportive. She felt like she had been forlorn for so long that just a tiny bit of support meant so much to her.
When she used to visit Liam's grandma and his father, they would be mean to her and tried to persuade her to leave Liam. Liam had never ever been supportive but apologized afterward and asked her to be understanding and forgiving.
She put up with it for the sake that he once saved her life when she was little and for the time they had spent together. However, she realized that she had not felt loved for a long time.
Tears filled her eyes despite herself. "Thank you." She said gently and sincerely.
Scott glanced at Brianna and said coldly, "Alright. Just be clear that fighting back doesn't mean you can use a knife. I don't want anything bloody and messy."
Brianna opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find a word. She simply nodded.
About ten minutes later, dinner was finally ready. The servants set the table and brought out seven dishes prepared by Sophia. Over dinner, Sue and Sophia talked about the time when Sophia and Scott were little and how close they had always been. Every now and then, Jameson would make a comment, which seemed unintentional and harmless but was, in fact, a mocking statement against Brianna.
Brianna remained silent.