Novel Palace
Chapter 30
Bullying her brought no repercussions, as she wouldn’t report to a soul.
Even if she did, it would be pointless. The bad kid had been dumped at the orphanage as a baby, raised by the staff through every messy diaper and tantrum, and they had a soft spot for him.
Every kid there longed for adoption, seeing prospective parents as saviors come to rescue
them.
But saviors were few and far between.
Once, a couple came to adopt and picked the pretty and sweet Leanne from a photograph. They were gentle and kind, their touch warm when they held her hand.
Leanne thought she was about to be saved.
But after spending a day at the orphanage, they fancied another girl, bubbly, and sweet-talking, and took her home instead.
Shy kids rarely won over adults.
Leanne stayed in the orphanage until she was 12.
A journalist once interviewed her and published her parents’ heroic sacrifice. People praised her father’s bravery and argued that the Richardson family owed him and should adopt his orphaned daughter. The Richardson family was pushed into the spotlight. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
But for a family as powerful as the Richardson family, such small public opinion barely caused a ripple. In those days before the internet’s dominance, the Richardson family could bury any scandal
effortlessly with its influence.
Leanne ended up with the Richardson family all because of Mary-Curtis’ grandmother’s
insistence.
Maddox was a dutiful son, acquiescing to his mother’s wishes, while Jennifer had no desire to take Leanne in from the start. But bound by Mary’s insistence, she complied, albeit reluctantly.
Leanne wasn’t talkative or didn’t know how to charm the elders. Jennifer found her too squishy, only providing for her education and basic needs but little else.
Leanne didn’t live in the servants’ quarters, but the maid, Sarah, brought her up, bought her clothes, and cut her hair when it grew too long. Sarah was kind but lacked a sense of style, often leaving Leanne looking rather drab,
As a child, Curtis loved to tease her, “Who did your hair? Looks like a bowl!”
From then on, Devin and his crew mockingly called her “Bowl Head.” Leanne had no fondness for them, either. In a way, the disdain was mutual.
12:14
Though labeled the Richardson family’s foster child, she was never truly part of their world, never treated like a true lady of the estate.
She and Curtis grew under the same roof but lived in separate worlds.
He was the golden boy, doted on and adored, with a legion of fans, free to live recklessly.
Leanne, in contrast, strained every sinew only to survive.
Spoiled brats like Selina, with their wealthy backgrounds and doting parents, could stir things up and have someone fix it for them, never understanding Leanne’s struggles.
“You’re being petty,” Selina complained, “I already apologized.”
Leanne ignored her, walking away.
“Hey! I’m not done asking!” Selina called out stubbornly, “Why did you marry Curtis anyway? He doesn’t love you, and you don’t seem to love him, either.”
Leanne didn’t break stride as she said, “Gossip won’t heal your wounds. Quiet might do.”
The entire day, ElitePinnacle was in a tense atmosphere.
From Executive Assistant Caleb to every employee, backs were stiff, fearing the slightest mistake that might trigger the boss’ sour mood since morning.
With Curtis’ tongue sharper than bitter aloes, a few words from him could send someone crying to the rooftop.
When the secretary Flora accidentally misprinted a figure, Curtis didn’t explode but said with a poker face, “Missing a zero isn’t the end of the world. We can move it from your next paycheck. How does that sound?”
Exiting Curtis’ office, Flora lamented to Caleb, “Don’t you think the boss has been more unpredictable since he returned?”
Caleb shot her a cautionary glance. “Secretary Flora…”
But she missed the cue, speculating with her limited understanding. “Do you think he’s unhappy in life?”
Before the words had settled, a chill crept up her spine. Turning around, Curtis stood at the office doorway, his expression icy as millennia-old glaciers.
“Do I have a sign on my back saying ‘Please gossip about me’? You all seem so eager to make up stories.”
Flora’s knees buckled. “I didn’t… I wasn’t…”
Curtis’ lips curled in a semblance of a smile that felt anything but warm.
12-14
“For a cold-hearted playboy like me, I’m hardly a treasure. Why don’t you fire me and pick a boss who satisfies you?”
Teary-eyed, Flora looked desperately to Caleb for rescue.
He stood motionless, giving her the look, saying, “I can’t save you.”
She felt she was screwed and couldn’t wait to finish herself.