Adhara kept on looking at Joanna's stern expression. As she stood there the memory of the earlier incident kept on replaying in her memory.
[What if it turned out that she is more powerful than I assumed? Won't I become a laughing stock in my own house if I get defeated by a little girl like her?]
Adhara was lost in thoughts. She was confused about what decision to take.
Even though she didn't see any of the maids or her employees in sight, she knew very well that they were eavesdropping on their conversation.
Whether or not she slapped Joanna right there she knew that they would still gossip about the incidents.
So at last she decided that although it was embarrassing to retrieve her hand, it was the best choice since this will save her from an even bigger embarrassment.
She will be the Kingdom's main topic of gossip if she gets beaten by her stepdaughter whom she always trampled under her feet in the past.
"I won't do anything to you, do you know why?" Adhara slowly dropped her hand.
Laura who was watching everything on the sideline was surprised to see that her mother didn't pull through with her plans.
"Laura, let's go and wait for her in the sitting room. Just see how I will deal with that stupid girl for all she has done and I overlooked," Laura could still recall her mother's angry words after the destruction of the porch.
"Because I am afraid I would end up murdering you if I take it out on you with how angry I am," Adhara said as she moved a few steps backwards.
"You will kill me?" Joanna chuckled, as she shook her head.
"Stepmother, don't tell me that is the phrase you are using to console yourself?" There was mockery in her voice as she stared at the frowning lady.
Without fear, Joanna walked closer to where Adhara stood close to where the quiet Laura sat.
"Isn't getting beaten up by me better than being cowardly…,"
"You can say whatever you like but I refused to be provoked," Adhara said as she turned and sat on the couch.
"Rather than dirtying my hands with your filthy blood, I will wait for your father to come back and deal with you…,"
"Since when did the Almighty Queen of Bullying, Adhara, need the help of someone else to deal with me?" Joanna kept on provoking Adhara hoping that the woman would lose her cool and try to attack her.
She just needs the tiniest reason to deal mercilessly with the proud woman.
She has vowed to deal with her in a way she would never be able to show her face in public if she dares as much as try any nonsense.
"I know you are looking for whom to put an end to your wretched life and I won't let you succeed," For the first time in her life, Adhara tried every possible way to keep her anger in check.
Joanna had expected Adhara to spring up to attack her after her constant provocative words but she was surprised to see her keep calm.
"I am sure the neighbours had called the police after the explosion. Let's wait and see how they will deal with you when we tell them that you tried to kill us. The ruin outside is the evidence…," Adhara said, a triumphant smile appearing on her face.
The always talkative Laura chooses to be an onlooker today.
Whoever was the winner of the ongoing battle she didn't care. If her mother wins, nice but if she doesn't that is also fine with her as long as she isn't dragged into the fight.
"After the police deal with you, it will then be the turn of your father to deal with you. Let's see whether he will not strangle you to death himself when I revealed to him that you are possessed by a demon…,"
"Do you even know what a demon looks like," Joanna cut in rudely?
She turned and pushed the items laid on the centre table. She sat down on the table with her legs crossed.
"If you don't know what Demons look like, I don't mind giving you a little brief about them. I spent six months dining with them so I don't think there is anyone in this world who is familiar with Demons more than I do…," Joanna sitting facing Adhara trailed.
"So what do you want to know about them huh? I can go as far as telling you the categories of Demons we have so take a pick and I will do the narration," Joanna said her fierce glares directed at Adhara.
Sitting there waiting for Adhara's response Joanna jerked to her feet on getting a glimpse of the wall clock.
[Darn! I can't believe I got carried away and forgot that I have a morning lesson to catch… Now I have less than fifteen minutes to get prepared]
Joanna lowered her gaze and stared at the mother and daughter duo.
If it was up to her, she would have loved to see this battle end but since time wasn't on her side she had no choice but to bring it to an end.
She spun and proceeded to the stairs but only to stop at the foot of the stairs.
She turned and glance at Adhara.
"And about reporting me to the police and your husband I am sure you wouldn't dare to say a word to them…,"
"Do you think I am scared of you?" Adhara said standing up from the couch. "Watch and see how I will…,"
"Sorry stepmother but when I said you wouldn't utter a word about me to them it wasn't a suggestion," Joanna cut in.
"Not only will you come up with something to tell the police and your husband but you will also make sure that none of the employees here utter a word to anyone…,"
"You…,"
"Don't be so impatient. Watch what Bacon has to show you and decide on what to do afterwards," Joanna said. She resumed climbing the stairs.
"Bacon, this is your cue. Don't forget to show them everything," Joanna's voice echoed in the sitting room even though she was out of sight.