"Why, Pearl, of course. I was going to disinherit her too but now that I think about it, her actions were quite shrewd. She wanted to get away from you. The letter said so." That wasn't true, he just wanted to make Anne squirm like a worm on a hook.

[[CW: suggestion of pedophilia]]

"I'm done listening to your drunk talk. Why don't you find another servant child to spill in and create a new bastard to love." She walked away.

"So you have something else you can hold over my head and play victim to? Take away your little spies? I would never take that little amusement away from you."

She turned. "I am a victim. We all are, living with a brute like you. It's no wonder Magnus lost his mind. You loved your money and that bastard girl more than your lawful children."

"If you would treat her as you were her mother, she wouldn't have eloped to get away from you, you old bag. Go now, I've had enough of your barbed tongue, you demon spawn. In fact, if it weren't for the scandal your son already caused, your dearly departed insane child that took directly after you, I would divorce you. Now get out of my sight."

But instead, Anne walked over to him and spat in his face. "I loathe you."

He wiped the well aimed missile from his face with his kerchief and then threw it in her face. "Get out before I do strike you, you commoner. You're not getting my money now. Ever."

Anne's eyes narrowed with utter loathing. "You think you're so powerful, you man-child, with your threats and your money. You're just a sad little schoolboy in a grown up body."

"Except... it isn't a threat." He moved so close that she would be able to smell the alcohol on his breath. "Out."

"Do it," she whispered. "Give me a ground."