Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Does Cedric treat you well?

Daisy placed the last dish on the table and stepped back.

Then the door opened and Joseph walked in.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair streaked silver at the temples and combed back neatly. His eyes were a deep blue, nearly black, the same shade as Cedric’s yet colder, sharper. His face had a mature handsomeness: sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw. He was like an older, more severe version of Cedric.

He was wearing a dark suit with no tie, the top button of his shirt undone. And he was looking at her.

Daisy lowered her head. She gave a small nod, a greeting, since she could not say hello.

Joseph smiled. It did not reach his eyes.

”Daisy,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. ”It has been a long time.”

Daisy nodded again.

”You look well,” he continued. ”Even more beautiful than I remembered.”

Daisy’s cheeks flushed. She did not know what to say. She could not say anything. She just stood there, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes fixed on the floor.

Jenna cleared her throat. ”Sit down, Joseph. The food will get cold.”

Joseph sat at the head of the table. Jenna sat to his right. Daisy sat to his left, as far away as the table allowed.

They began to eat.

The lunch was quiet at first. Jenna made small talk about the house, about the servants, about Cedric’s business dealings. Joseph answered in short sentences, his attention clearly elsewhere.

Daisy kept her eyes on her plate. She ate slowly, her movements small and careful. She did not want to draw attention to herself. She just wanted to finish lunch and go to her room.

But she could feel his gaze on her. Joseph was staring at her.

Not the way people usually stared at her. Not with pity or curiosity or disdain. This was different and made her uncomfortable.

Daisy’s skin prickled. Her hands trembled slightly around her fork. She did not look up. She did not want to meet his eyes.

”Daisy,” Joseph said.

She looked up. He was smiling again. That cold, unreachable smile.

”These dishes are wonderful,” he said. ”You are very talented.”

Daisy nodded. She pointed at herself, then at her heart, then made a small gesture of thanks.

Joseph watched her hands. ”You use sign language?”

Daisy nodded.

”Interesting,” he said. ”I should learn it. So we can communicate better.”

Jenna’s fork clinked against her plate. ”She uses her phone. It is fine.”

Joseph ignored her. His dark blue eyes stayed on Daisy.

”Tell me about yourself, Daisy,” he said, leaning back in his chair. ”What do you do all day? How do you spend your time?”

Daisy blinked. She pulled out her phone and typed quickly:

I knit. I read. I cook. I visit Grandpa James in the hospital.

Joseph read the screen. His smile widened. ”A quiet life. Simple and peaceful.”

Daisy nodded.

”Do you like it here?” he asked. ”In this house?”

Daisy hesitated. She typed slowly:

Yes. I am grateful.

Joseph’s dark blue eyes flickered. ”Grateful. That is a good word. But gratitude is not the same as happiness.”

Daisy did not know what to say. She looked down at her plate.

Joseph continued. ”Does Cedric treat you well?”

Daisy’s fingers tightened around her phone. She did not type anything.

Jenna interrupted. ”Joseph, that is not appropriate.”

”I am asking my daughter-in-law a simple question.” Joseph’s voice was smooth. ”There is nothing inappropriate about wanting to know if my son is taking care of his wife.”

Daisy kept her eyes on her plate.

Joseph leaned forward. His dark blue eyes burned into her.

”Daisy. Look at me.”

She looked up.

His gaze was intense and predatory. Like a wolf looking at a lamb.

”Does Cedric treat you well?” he asked again.

Daisy nodded.

It was a lie.

Joseph stared at her for a long moment. Then his smile returned. However, she felt his smile was like a devil trying to smile.

”That is good,” he said softly. ”Because if he does not...” He paused, letting the words hang in the air. ”I can treat you well.”

The table went silent.

Daisy’s blood turned cold.

Jenna’s fork stopped mid-air. Her face twisted with anger. Her sharp blue eyes shot toward Daisy, then toward Joseph.

”Joseph,” Jenna said, her voice icy. ”What are you saying?”

Joseph did not look at his wife. His eyes never left Daisy’s face. ”I am saying that my son is a fool if he does not appreciate what he has. And if he is a fool...” He tilted his head. ”Someone else might appreciate it instead.”

Daisy’s hands shook. She looked down at her lap. She wanted to disappear. She wanted to run. She wanted to crawl out of her skin and escape.

Jenna slammed her fork down on the table.

”You are unbelievable,” Jenna spat. She turned her glare toward Daisy. Her eyes were filled with venom. ”And you. Look at you. Why are you wearing such a revealing and short dress? Are you enjoying this? Is this what you wanted?”

Daisy shook her head frantically. No, no, no. She gestured wildly, her hands moving in desperate denial.

Jenna laughed. It was cold and ugly. ”Do not pretend. I see what you are doing. Parading around in that short dress. Smiling at him. Making him food. You are nothing but a—”

”Jenna.” Joseph’s voice was sharp, a warning.

Jenna stopped. Her chest heaved. Her eyes were filled with hate.

Daisy sat frozen, tears burning behind her eyes. She had done nothing wrong. She had only cooked lunch. She had only worn this dress because she was meeting Annie. She did not even know he was coming back. She had only smiled because she was trying to be polite.

But somehow, that was enough to be blamed.

Joseph stood up. He walked around the table and stopped beside Daisy’s chair.

She did not look up. She could not.

Joseph placed his hand on the back of her chair and leaned down. His voice was low, meant only for her.

”Do not mind her,” he whispered. ”She is jealous. She has always been jealous.”

Daisy’s whole body trembled.

Joseph straightened up and walked toward the door. He paused at the threshold and looked back at her.

”Good afternoon, Daisy. I look forward to seeing you at dinner.”

Then he was gone.