After I Torched Alive, My Alpha Went crazy novel Chapter 164

She had expected me to cower, to apologize, but I wasn’t going to do that. Not at all.

Finally, Mary spoke, but her voice wasn’t as harsh. It was almost like she was trying to maintain control.

"Guests, huh?" She looked around at the other maids and the noble girls standing by. "Guests don’t act like that, Grace. You have to earn respect here."

I looked her straight in the eye. "I don’t need to earn respect from anyone who doesn’t give it freely," I said, "But I will earn it from those who matter."

It was a small victory, but it felt like a huge one. Mary said nothing after that. She just turned and walked away, her heels clicking loudly on the marble floor.

The maids followed her, their heads still down, their faces dark with frustration.

But I didn’t care. I had won this round. I had stood up for myself, and it felt good.

I protected my dignity.

I wasn’t just a woman with a child. I was someone who deserved respect, someone who could hold her own in this place.

As the door closed behind them, I could hear one of the maids mutter something under her breath. Her words were barely audible, but I caught them anyway.

"How dare she talk back to the Chief Stewardess like that…"

It wasn’t loud enough for anyone else to hear, but it was enough for me.

My heart swelled with pride. They were scared of me now. It was strange how quickly things had shifted.

Just moments ago, they had been the ones mocking me, and now it was the other way around.

I sighed, sitting down on a nearby chair. Just then, Cyrus ran over to me, his face bright with excitement.

"Mum, you were just so good!" he said, his eyes wide with admiration.

I couldn’t help but smile at him. My little boy. The only person who always made me feel like I was doing something right.

I pulled him into my arms and hugged him tight. "Thank you, sweetheart," I whispered. "You’re my strength. Without you, I don’t know what I’d do."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Not a bully?" I repeated, a little confused.

"Yeah, they’re scared of you now," Tina said with a grin. "You stood up to Mary, and now they’re all whispering about you."

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Well, I’m glad they’re scared," I said, feeling a small sense of pride. "But I’m not trying to scare anyone. I’m just trying to survive here, same as everyone else."

Tina’s smile faded a little, but she nodded. "You’re doing great. You should be proud of yourself."

I smiled back at her, grateful for her support. As we continued walking, a familiar figure appeared in front of us—Carlos.

He was holding a tray with breakfast, and his usual serious expression softened when he saw us. "Good morning, Grace. Good morning, Cyrus," he said politely. "How are you two settling in?"

Before I could answer, Cyrus spoke up, his face twisted in frustration. " The maids are bullying us, Carlos! They are mean to Mum!"

Carlos’s face hardened instantly, and he knelt down to Cyrus’s level, pulling him into a tight hug. "Smart kid," Carlos said, "You remember which ones disrespected you and your mum.

I tried to explain: "It's not too bad, believe in my ability."