Chapter 77 Her words only made things worse, making it seem like there was something more between her and David than there was.
Davidâs expression darkened at Audreyâs words, and he quickly shot a nervous glance at Danielle, his heart racing at the thought that she might misunderstand.
"What are you trying to say?" Danielle asked, her voice cool.
"Danielle, please donât blame David. Itâs all my fault. I tripped and... I didnât mean to..." Audrey lowered her head, embarrassed, throwing a glance at David.
"Did you accidentally get too close to him? Did you accidentally try to seduce him?" Danielleâs voice was cold, almost accusatory.
"I didnât! I didnât!" Audrey shook her head, tears welling up, her face full of helplessness. "Fine," Danielle said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Iâll give you a chance. But with that dress youâre wearing, it looks like youâre getting ready for some runway show. Are you planning on walking the catwalk at home?"
Danielle shot Audrey a mocking smile before turning to leave. She didnât even spare David a glance.
Davidâs anger flared. How dare Audrey stir up this mess and cause so much trouble? He quickly moved to stop Danielle, grabbing her arm. "Danielle, I swear, I didnât- I pushed her away the moment it happened..."
"Oh?" Danielle raised an eyebrow, her face a mix of amusement and disbelief.
David was completely flustered now, his voice urgent as if his life depended on it. "Danielle, please believe me..."
"Danielle, thereâs really nothing going on between David and me. Stop being so petty. Even if you donât believe me, at least trust David..." Audreyâs voice wavered, but she pushed on, still trying to stir things up.
David couldnât hold it in anymore. He raised his foot and kicked Audrey hard in the stomach. "Get the hell away."
Audrey was sent flying across the room, slamming her back into one of the columns in the living room. She gasped and immediately coughed up blood.
"How could you do this to me..." Audreyâs finger trembled as she pointed at David, her eyes wide with shock and hurt. She couldnât believe heâd actually laid a hand on her.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Audreyâs heart skipped a beat-her parents were probably coming down. Even though sheâd just been kicked, she knew she was clearly the one in the wrong. What if her parents misunderstood and kicked her out of the house?
Panicking, she shot a glance at the servant, Skylar, before rolling her eyes and fainting on the spot.
The Darling familyâs servants, who had been in the kitchen, emerged just in time to see Davidâs foot make contact with Audrey.
They froze, completely stunned. The lively chatter that had filled the room moments before went silent. No one had ever expected David, usually so polite, to act so violently, let alone kick her like that.
David was always the epitome of courtesy when he visited. The servants had completely forgotten about the intimidating reputation he had outside of the house.
Meanwhile, Danielle, who had been watching from the stairs, was also taken aback. Sheâd only been trying to tease David a little, not expecting him to blow up like this.
The servants snapped back to reality and rushed over to Audreyâs side.
"Miss Darling, are you okay?" "Miss Darling, how are you?"
"Miss Darling..."
Ivan, the butler, hurried into the room, his eyes widening when he saw Audrey lying there with blood at the corner of her mouth. "Get her to the hospital. Now."
The servants rushed to lift Audrey and hurried her toward the car.
Downstairs, Howard and Vivian, hearing the noise, hurried over. Seeing Audrey injured, they immediately asked, "What happened?"
"Sir, Madam, sheâs injured. Iâm getting her ready to go to the hospital," Ivan said, standing respectfully by.
"Help her onto the couch. Iâll take care of her," Danielle said slowly, watching as the servants still tried to get Audrey settled.
"Miss Audrey Darling is seriously hurt. Sheâs already coughing up blood. Why are you stopping her from going to the hospital?
"I know you donât like her, but this is a life-or-death situation. Even if you donât like her, you canât keep her from getting help," Skylar shouted, her voice filled with urgency. She sounded as if Audrey might be dying right in front of them.
Danielle silently applauded Skylarâs acting skills. She couldnât help but marvel at how well both the servant and her so-called "master" played their parts.
âWhen have I ever looked down on her?â Danielle thought. This was ridiculous-blaming her for something she didnât do.to attack her.
"Miss Danielle Darling, Iâm so sorry. I didnât mean it like that... You havenât... you havenât looked down on Miss Audrey Darling, and you havenât bullied her," Skylar stammered, taking a few steps back in fear.
The way Skylar spoke, her voice quivering as she shrank back, made it clear to everyone that Skylar was implying Danielle had bullied Audrey-and mistreated her servant, too.
"Did Audrey tell you to say all that?" Danielle sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Iâve got to hand it to you both. You and your dear Audrey are amazing actresses, especially when it comes to pretending to be all pure and innocent. You both deserve an award for your performances."
Skylarâs eyes were filled with tears as she looked up at Danielle. "Iâm just a lowly servant, not as noble as you, but Iâve worked here at the Darling family for years. How could you slander me like this?"
"Really?" Danielle raised an eyebrow, her tone growing colder. "You can accuse people, but Iâm not allowed to defend myself, huh?"
"Iâm not slandering anyone, Miss Danielle. Iâm just telling the truth. Youâre all good people, and I donât mind the injustices Iâve suffered. But Miss Audrey... sheâs been through enough. Please, donât make her suffer more," Skylar said, her voice thick with tears.
Howard and Vivian exchanged a helpless glance before finally saying, "Let Danielle treat Audrey first." "Sir, Madam, please, letâs send Miss Audrey Darling to the hospital. What if-" Skylar hesitated, glancing nervously at Danielle.
"What? You think Danielleâs going to hurt Audrey while sheâs already like this?" Joseph, who had come down the stairs after hearing the commotion, spoke up, his tone sharp. He hadnât said anything until now, but his presence was undeniable.
Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)
ï¤Chapter 76 "No, no, thatâs not what I meant..." Skylar stammered, her voice now tinged with regret.
Among all the young men in the family, Josephâs presence was the most intimidating. The servants were always wary of him, and now, despite her earlier bravado, Skylar looked genuinely afraid.
"What are you trying to say?" Josephâs voice was icy, each word sharp like a blade. "Since when does the Darling family need to ask a servant for their opinion before making a decision? Or are you telling me youâve suddenly become more powerful than your masters?"
"I-I didnât mean it like that, young master," Skylar stammered, her voice shaking. "I just... Iâve seen Miss Audrey Darling suffering sometimes, and I couldnât stand by and do nothing..."
Slap!
Danielleâs eyes flashed coldly. She was done with this performance. Without another word, she slapped Skylar across the face, the sound sharp and final.
"You... You-" Skylar gasped, her hand flying instinctively to her cheek, too stunned to speak.
Slap!
"You-" Skylar started again, but her voice faltered.
Slap, slap, slap!
Three quick slaps and Skylar stood there, wide-eyed and silent, too terrified to move.