The Mackenzie mansion was eerily quiet when Tommy stepped inside. His footsteps echoed against the marble floors as he called out.
"Mum? Where are you? I'm here!" He looked around for his mother. He was dressed in a pair of sharp corporate pants and his coffee-coloured shirt was folded at the sleeves with the top two buttons undone.
A sharp clicking of heels on the grand staircase made him turn. Allison Mackenzie descended rapidly, her expression thunderous.
Even in her fury she still looked elegant, dressed in a golden kaftan that had a cream brocade. In her manicured hand, she clutched her phone tightly.
"There you are," he said in relief. "You sounded super urgent when you called. I was worried that something serious had happened."
"Yes, something serious happened! Because of you!" Allison shrieked, ignoring his obvious concern about her well-being.
Tommy barely had time to react before she shoved the screen in his face. "Mum, wha–"
"How could you be so foolish, Tommy?" she hissed. "What were you thinking, posting this rubbish for the whole d*mn world to see?"
Tommy glanced at the screen and it showed the picture of him and Evie, announcing their engagement to the world. His mother's hand shook with rage as she held the phone up.
He took a step back, his brows knitting together. "Foolish? How is it foolish to announce my engagement publicly?"
Allison scoffed, pacing like a restless predator. "In case you forgot, you're a Mackenzie! You need to start acting like it! You know the rules are different when it comes to you, don't you?"
Tommy's brows knitted as he listened to her. His mouth opened to respond but his mother cut him off to continue her tirade.
She laughed bitterly, "Do you know how many years it took to craft the image that you're shattering so carelessly, huh?"
Tommy's patience was wearing thin. "Do you think I don't know that? You've reminded me of the Mackenzie image my whole life. The rules, the standards, and everything that I've had to deal with all my life... God, Mum, I get it!"
Allison turned on him, her eyes sharp. "Did you think this charmed life came without sacrifices? I guess you want the benefits without doing the work but you can't eat your cake and have it!"
Tommy exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. "Do you even hear yourself? I've finally found someone who makes me happy. Finally, Mum... I love Evie so much and the only thing you care about is the family image?"
Allison's eyes narrowed. "What a naive way of thinking! What will people think when they see you with this harlot?"
Tommy's temper snapped, breaking into half like a fickle branch. "Don't call her that!"
His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to keep himself from blowing up further.
Allison waved a dismissive hand. "You can keep being delusional, but I see the truth as clear as day. I haven't spent my whole life protecting you from greedy women just to watch you marry one."
Tommy's jaw clenched and he eyed his mother contemplatively. "Oh, I think I get it now. This must have been the same way you ambushed Evie at your sham of a lunch. Is that the reason why she's been acting off since she saw you? Because you threw insults at her?"
Allison flinched slightly before regaining her composure. "That's enough about that."
She took a deep breath, smoothing out her expression. "Since you refuse to listen, I've decided to step in. You'll be having dinner with Alexa Donovan this weekend."
"What does that even mean?" Tommy stared at her in disbelief. "Why the hell will I agree to have dinner with another woman while I have a fiancée?"
Tommy shook his head slowly, "You know what, I'm not listening to any more of this."
He turned to leave, but his mother's next words made him freeze.
"Prepare to say goodbye to your inheritance if you disobey me."
Tommy's eyes widened and his fists clenched at his sides, his mind reeling at the implications of that threat. He faced his mother squarely and looked into her eyes for a few wordless seconds.
Allison met his probing stare without flinching.She raised her chin and stood tall, waiting.
"You wouldn't dare," the words came out as a whisper.
Allison smirked ruthlessly. She shrugged her trim shoulders elegantly and the silk fabric of her kaftan glided around.
"Well, I truly hope that it doesn't come to that but it depends on your decision now."
"Think of a whirlwind of a legal war, maybe your trust even gets frozen..." she paused intensely. "Or destroyed."
Her words had a tone of finality that made it clear that she wouldn't be budging. Not on this.
Tommy recognised his mother's stubborn resolve. After all, he had seen it many times while growing up. She meant every word she had said.
He forced his jaw to unclench and exhaled through his nose.
"Fine," he said, his voice tight. The concession made his body sag visibly and his broad shoulders slumped inwardly.
Allison smiled widely at her dirty victory. "I'm glad you've made the right decision, darling. I knew you'd come around."
Tommy didn't respond to her smug words. Instead he turned on his heel and walked away, every step feeling heavier than the last.