Alice's POV:

Long fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop.

Robert twisted a cigarette, his expression a half-smile.

"Behave, Alice."

His eyes curved with a hint of warmth in his coaxing tone, but there was nothing soft or comfortable about it. His dominance was evident.

After a few seconds of eye contact, I forced myself to look away from the intimidating gaze, even prepared to kneel down again in humiliation.

Mrs. Scarlett came over.

She seemed surprised by the tense atmosphere between us, her tone softened a bit.

"Selena woke up and claimed she tripped, causing her fall. Just a bit of scraped skin, nothing serious. She even said she wants...