A Hostile Welcome

Margot sat still in the backseat of the luxury car. Bennett sat behind the wheel. A heavy, suffocating silence filled the space between them. Margot kept her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the tinted window, watching the endless dirt roads transition into paved highways and towering skyscrapers.

A bittersweet wave of complicated emotions washed over her. Her father, Cyrus, had passed away just two months ago. His final, dying wish was for her to marry into the Ashcroft family. If it weren't for that lingering promise to her father and his old friend, Alistair Ashcroft, she would never have agreed to this arranged marriage deal. She had always resisted the idea. Yet, to honor Cyrus, she had no choice but to follow through.

The luxury cars finally pulled up to the sprawling, opulent Oakview villa. Margot stepped out onto the pristine driveway. She followed the brothers through the towering mahogany doors and into the grand foyer.

"Mom, we're finally home!" Caspian groaned the second he stepped into the living room. "What an exhausting trip."

Evelyn Thorne sat on a velvet sofa in the center of the room. Her face lit up with warmth as she smiled at her returning sons, gesturing for a maid in a crisp uniform to pour them freshly brewed tea. Then, her eyes landed on Margot.

The maternal warmth vanished. A freezing, critical glare replaced it. Evelyn inspected Margot from head to toe. The old photographs depicted a plump, unpolished teenager. The young woman standing before her was beautiful, with delicate features and a refined aura.

Evelyn’s lip curled in disgust. "You must be Margot," she sneered. "It seems you underwent extensive plastic surgery just to climb the social ladder and marry one of my wealthy sons. How much pain did you endure to alter your face?"

Margot met the older woman's gaze dead in the eye, keeping her posture composed. "I have never had plastic surgery, Madam."

Evelyn let out a harsh scoff, unconvinced. Just then, the family housekeeper wheeled Margot’s simple suitcase into the hall.

Evelyn's eyes narrowed maliciously. "Sam, open her bags and search through them thoroughly."

The housekeeper paused, his hands hovering over the worn fabric of her bag. Evelyn pointed at the luggage, her voice dripping with venom. "She comes from the dirty countryside. It is dangerous to let her bring potentially filthy or hazardous items into our pristine villa."

A sharp, icy flash of anger glared in Margot’s eyes. Before Sam could touch the zipper, Margot stepped forward and swiftly snatched her suitcase away.

"This luggage belongs to me," Margot stated in a firm, dangerous tone. "No one is permitted to open it."

Furious at this blatant defiance in her own home, Evelyn’s face turned red. "Guards! Get in here and force that bag open! I will see what kind of trash she brought into my house!"

Burly security guards marched into the grand foyer. The Ashcroft brothers slouched back onto the plush leather sofas, crossing their arms and watching the confrontation with cold, detached amusement. They expected the helpless country girl to break down in tears and beg for mercy. Instead, Margot stood her ground. Her posture remained rigid and fearless.

The guards stepped forward to seize the bag by force.

"Stop immediately!" a deep, authoritative voice boomed from the main entrance.

Alistair Ashcroft hurried into the foyer, his face flushed with anger. He bypassed his wife and sons, making a beeline straight for Margot.

"Are you alright, Mar?" Alistair asked, apologizing repeatedly. "I am so sorry. I was held up at the office and arrived late."

"I am fine, Mister Alistair," Margot replied calmly.

Alistair spun around to face Evelyn, unleashing his fury. "What is the meaning of this? Margot just arrived as our guest. Why are you treating her with such hostility and disrespect?"

Evelyn shot Margot a look of pure hatred. "I only wanted to check her bags for unclean items."

Knowing she had lost, Evelyn spun on her heel and stormed upstairs in a huff.

Alistair sighed deeply, turning back to Margot. "I apologize again, Mar. My wife holds deep-seated prejudices. Please excuse her bad behavior."

Margot gave a slight nod. She was used to enduring baseless prejudice.

Alistair then turned to the gathered security guards and household staff. His voice echoed through the hall as he delivered a stern warning. "Margot is going to live with us from now on. You are all to treat her with the utmost respect."

Finally, Alistair glared at his five silent sons. "That goes for you lot as well. Do not bully Margot. And ensure no one else is allowed to mistreat her either."

The brothers remained silent. They traded bewildered glances, puzzled by why their father was so fiercely protective of this mysterious country girl.