Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 429: Getting Called Out

Chapter 429: Getting Called Out

"Okay then," Talia didn’t want to waste her time with Lord Lockhart and turned to leave. She decided she’d ask Cyril later to visit the grave.

"You’re going to give up just like that?"

The condescending voice of Lord Lockhart made Talia halt. She knew Lord Lockhart didn’t like her much even when Cyrus was alive and he has a reason to hate her after his death. She tried to be understanding but she felt something snapping in her brain this time hearing his tone.

I’ll settle everything between us once and for all today, Lord Lockhart! Only one of us will live to see tomorrow!

She made sure to send a message to Vivian informing her that she’s chatting with Lord Lockhart and asked her not to look for her.

"Should I beg you then, Lord Lockhart?" Talia turned and only then she noticed the golden coloured drink in the silver tray on the table.

He is not drinking this early in the day, is he?

"I don’t beg alcoholics!" she said with a snort looking straight in his eyes.

"Who’s an alcoholic? "Lord Lockhart was provoked. "These are non-alcoholic beverages; iced tea to be precise. I would have believed an alcoholic’s daughter would be able to tell alcohol from iced tea, but it seems like this one is plain stupid to know." He chuckled.

The guy who was mixing the drinks for Lord Lockhart opened his mouth in shock. He didn’t know what to do in this situation. His boss who gets this way only with his sons and acts all stoic with others except for the future madam, is now running his mouth against a Princess.

What should I do? I hope the Princess backs off for my sake.

"Who drinks iced tea in winter? I do know that those are alcoholic drinks and I will prove it!"

Talia got mad he involved her father and she went and picked a tall glass filled with golden liquid and emptied it in one gulp. The aide of Lord Lockhart felt his stomach churning out of anxiety.

It happened... The Princess challenged my boss!

"Ha! This is long island iced tea! I’m a lightweight and I won’t be able to..."

Talia felt her head getting light and pulled a chair for her to sit.

"You’re a fool, Talia!" Lord Lockhart shouted angrily and got the glass from her hand and asked his aide to bring warm water for her. He didn’t expect her to gobble up an entire glass of strong liquor in one go.

"Let’s talk, Lord Lockhart. Tell me why you hate me. I know...I know I killed your son, but I know you hated me even before that. So, explain..."

She supported her elbows on the table with her hands holding her cheeks and looked at him with a cheeky smile. She felt the alcohol level rising and knew she’d pass out soon and she wanted to talk to him before that happens.

"This stupid... You’re the one getting scared of me for no reason. From the day I met you, you’ve been crying looking at my face. Why would I hate you?" Lord Lockhart stood up from the seat and passed her a glass of water.

"You hate me because I cried in your presence when I was a baby?" Talia asked and then burst out laughing. "You’re such a silly guy, Lord Lockhart!"

"Again! I don’t hate you. Don’t blame me for your irrational fear. And as I announced before, you’re not responsible for my eldest’s death. You even got him justice by taking care of the guy responsible for his death. Now get up and get ready to celebrate your birthday. Do you think your grandfather is happy seeing you sulking around on your birthday? Do you think you’re being considerate? For who? For Cyril and me? I permit you to celebrate your birthday. Now stop hurting the ones who love you by being a wet blanket." he rebuked with a stern tone.

"Ah, so my grandpa put you up to it? I see, you two join hands in determining my life like before, huh? See if I- Oww! Ouch!"

As she was speaking her ear got twisted by Lord Lockhart making her cry in pain.

"You never were hit as a child and that made you grow up stupid. Do you think I take orders from Jerome? And what was wrong with the life we arranged for you before? Didn’t you arrive at the same conclusion ten years later? You’re stupid! I wonder from whom you inherited your stupidity!"

He twisted her ear once more, while making a call to Jerome Brunton.

"Let go!" Talia hit his hand to get away and stood up, but staggered. But still, she avoided his hand and got away.

"Fight back, child! Fight back just like this! Don’t just bow your head and take everything done to you. The way you are now, even Cyrus would think you’re pathetic! Just because he died that day doesn’t mean you should lock yourself and mourn even after eleven years. Even his own mother won’t do that!"

Lord Lockhart helped Talia by her arms and helped her sit back while advising her.

Talia looked at Lord Lockhart’s face which now was entirely blurry to her and she felt her blood pressure rising by his words,

"What do you know about Cyrus? He’ll never think I am pathetic. I can see why he never liked you. You’re a mean guy..."

"Yes, Jerome, your perfect granddaughter got drunk and is attacking me. Come save me!"

Talia heard Lord Lockhart speaking to her grandfather and staggered and got the phone from his hand.

"Grandpa, he is lying! He is scolding me for no reason!" she complained.

"MaryAnn?" Jerome’s voice was filled with concern. "I’m coming there." He ended the call and Talia threw the phone on the floor and laughed hearing the smashing sound.

"Good, it is broken!"She giggled. "That’s for twisting my ear. Send the bill to the Oakley Castle-"

"Keep your money, half-wit! I can replace my phone," Lord Lockhart wasn’t even a bit fazed. "And you will visit no grave in my property. You don’t even visit your mother’s grave! Did you bother to visit Artie’s mother’s grave after you got engaged? Why do you want to visit Cyrus’ grave? You’re such a half-wit. How did Jerome even raise you?"

Lord Lockhart kept on talking and Talia couldn’t even reply to him as she felt sleepy. Resting her head on the table, she fell asleep.

As she slept, in her dreams, she rehashed Lord Lockhart’s words. She felt bad for not visiting Arthur’s mum’s grave. Arthur followed the customs and talked to her family before even proposing to her, while she’s being so careless.

I’m a very stupid person like Lord Lockhart says.