My Anti-hero Fairy System

All eyes turned to Rudy. The room grew heavy with tension as he cleared his throat and finally spoke. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Cara, truly. But I'm the mayor of this town, I can't act on impulse. I'll investigate the matter thoroughly and come up with a proper solution."

Cara raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with incredulity. "Really? It's a well-known fact that the Scotts are troublemakers. What are you even investigating? Or do you think I'm lying?"

Rudy, unbothered by her challenge, met her gaze steadily. "I don't think you are lying and How is them being troublemakers a well-known fact? Or," he added with calculated coolness, "did you remember something and haven't told us?"

'Damn, this bastard is getting on my last nerve.'

[He's smart, and he's playing you.]

'I know, and I can't let him win.'

Cara took a slow breath before responding, keeping her tone measured. "Most of the employees are scared to serve them at the diner. The atmosphere literally shifts when they walk in. Everyone knows they're troublemakers. I don't need to remember anything to figure that out."

"Rudy, it's true. Those guys are bad news," Arlene chimed in, her voice tinged with exasperation. "Why do you still let them in the diner?"

Rudy leaned back slightly in his chair, his expression a mask of calm. "Honey, you know me, I don't like making decisions on a whim. I'll look into this properly, and I promise that once I have something concrete to use against them, I'll get a restraining order. Make it official. Is that acceptable to everyone?"

[Why is he avoiding taking action against the Scotts?]

'I have a feeling they work for him—or they're holding something over his head.'

[Both are plausible.]

Cara's lips pressed into a thin line before she replied. "Yes, I can live with that."

The conversation lulled, and they ate in relative silence until Rudy broke it. "Where in God's name is Travis?"

"He dropped me off here and immediately drove off," Cara answered, her voice nonchalant.

"Maybe he's out clubbing tonight," Ashley suggested, her tone light. "You know how he is."

Rudy's jaw tightened slightly. "Yes, I know how my son is. But it's Wednesday night—we normally discuss the ranch today."

Ashley leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "You mean the ranch you keep forcing on him?"

Rudy's gaze flicked toward her, irritation creeping into his voice. "Ashley, you've never shown interest in running the ranch. I'm busy working for the people and managing my businesses. Your brother has to step up."

Ashley's voice hardened, though she kept it calm. "Dad, you never asked if I wanted to run the ranch. You just assumed I wasn't interested."

Rudy's expression shifted, his irritation now palpable. "Honey," he said to her, dismissing the topic with a wave of his hand, "let's discuss this another time."

Cara didn't need to read Rudy's mind to know he wanted his son to take over the family business. It was written all over his face.

But reading Ashley's thoughts painted a clearer picture. She already knew her father didn't see her as a viable option to run the ranch, despite being smarter and far more qualified than Travis. Resentment simmered beneath her cool demeanor, but she held her tongue.

—------

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After dinner, with no sign of Travis returning, Cara headed upstairs to her room. As she climbed the steps, she exchanged a lingering glance with Ashley, the unspoken tension between them palpable.

In the hallway, Cara noticed Lucrecia walking past, carrying a stack of neatly folded towels. Seizing the opportunity, she stopped her.

"Hey, Lucrecia, right?" Cara asked, her tone warm and disarming.

"Yes, ma'am," Lucrecia replied, her expression guarded as she shifted the towels in her arms.

"I wanted to apologize for how I spoke to you this morning," Cara said, stepping closer. Her voice softened, laced with sincerity—or at least the appearance of it. "I've been... off lately. Maybe it's the whole resurrection thing. Can you forgive me?"

As Cara reached out and gently took Lucrecia's hand, the maid stiffened, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden contact.

"I forgive you, ma'am," Lucrecia said politely, her tone neutral as Cara released her hand.

"I'm glad to hear that," Cara continued, her lips curling into a flirtatious smile. "I want us to move forward. Maybe even be friends. What do you say, Lucrecia?"

Lucrecia hesitated for a moment, her professionalism warring with the unexpected charm radiating from Cara. "Of course, ma'am, if that's what you'd like."

"Thank you. You've just made my day, gorgeous… or, I mean, Lucrecia," Cara said, her voice dipping suggestively. "Your name tastes sweet on my tongue."

For a fleeting moment, Lucrecia's composure faltered, her gaze meeting Cara's with something that looked suspiciously like longing. But just as quickly, she recovered, lowering her eyes.

"Goodnight," Cara said, breaking the spell as she turned and sauntered toward her room, deliberately adding a sway to her hips. Lucrecia stood frozen for a moment, her gaze lingering as Cara disappeared down the hallway.

Once inside her room, Cara collapsed onto her bed, the playful exchange with Lucrecia still fresh in her mind. Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away. It was a message from Farrah.

Farrah: So, about meeting my grandmother… Do you have any plans this Friday?

Cara stared at the screen, considering her response before typing back.

Cara: No, I don't think I have any plans on Friday?

Moments later, Farrah replied.

Farrah: Let's meet at the diner, and from there we can go see her.

Cara: Sounds good to me. See you tomorrow.

Cara placed her phone on the nightstand, her thoughts shifting as she heard the door creak open. She glanced up to see Ashley stepping into the room, her every movement deliberate.

Ashley closed the door behind her and walked over to Cara, who was seated on the bed. Without hesitation, Ashley leaned down, cupping Cara's face as she pressed her lips against hers. The kiss was deep, hungry, and electrifying.

Pulling back slightly, Ashley whispered against Cara's lips, "Damn, you taste so good. I want to eat you up."

Cara's lips curved into a teasing smile as she gazed up at her. "And what's stopping you?"