Chapter 14

Cassandra opened her mouth. "My sister's name is—"

Abigail suddenly gagged at the overpowering perfume scent clinging to Cassandra.

One of the maids immediately shoved Cassandra aside. "Get out of the way! Our young mistress isn't available right now!"

"Young miss, are you alright?"

Abigail was still retching violently as the maids helped her inside.

Cassandra clenched her fists in frustration. She hadn't even gotten her answer before being dismissed like some unwanted pest. The imposing mansion intimidated her too much to make a scene.

The Grayson family driver rolled down his window. "You should leave. This isn't the kind of place for nosy people like you."

Cassandra turned sharply. "Are you their driver? Tell me who lives here."

The driver eyed her warily. "That's confidential. But I heard they recently hired new maids. Your sister might be among them."

'A maid? Evelyn?' Cassandra frowned. 'But she was interning at Alpha Enterprises.'

Before she could ask more, the car disappeared into the garage. Confused, Cassandra called an old classmate working at Alpha Enterprises. The shocking revelation? Evelyn had been fired.

'Fired! So this is why she's working as a maid here? All that talk about renting was a lie!' Cassandra's lips curled in triumph. 'That expensive blazer she wore home must have been stolen from her employers!'

Satisfied with her discovery, Cassandra strutted away, eager to report back to her father.

Upstairs, Evelyn leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Cassandra's retreating figure with amusement.

The next afternoon, an elegant elderly woman arrived in a stretch Hummer.

"Grandmother!" Abigail rushed forward.

Margaret Grayson embraced her granddaughter with concern. "I took the first flight after your call. Abigail, you've lost so much weight!"

Abigail sniffled dramatically. "Grandmother, Nathaniel's new wife has been tormenting me since their wedding. She made me so sick I had to be hospitalized!"

Margaret's sharp eyes glinted dangerously. "I'd like to meet this new granddaughter-in-law who dares bully my precious girl. Bring this Evelyn down immediately!"

Abigail clung to Margaret on the sofa, whispering sweet nothings while secretly gloating. 'Evelyn's going to get what she deserves!'

Soon, the housekeeper escorted Evelyn downstairs.

"You're Evelyn?" Margaret scrutinized her from head to toe.

Evelyn nodded. "That's me. How may I help you, ma'am?"

Margaret's expression darkened. "I hear you bullied Abigail so badly she needed hospitalization. Do you think marrying Nathaniel makes you mistress of this house?"

Evelyn instantly understood the situation—and Abigail's twisted version of events. She stood her ground calmly. "Ma'am, it's 'an eye for an eye.' Abigail doused me with filthy water yesterday. I simply returned the favor. Hardly bullying."

Margaret turned to Abigail. "Is this true?"

Tears welled in Abigail's eyes. "She's lying! All the servants can vouch for me!"

On cue, several maids stepped forward.

"I saw everything. Young miss never provoked madam."

"I can testify too!"

"Same here!"

Margaret's stern gaze returned to Evelyn. "Well?"

Evelyn sighed at the united front against her. "I've said my piece. If you won't believe me, there's nothing more I can do."

Margaret scoffed. "Still defiant? Clearly your family failed to teach you manners. Very well—you'll copy our house rules one hundred times. No meals until you finish!"

Evelyn barely suppressed an eye roll. These Grayson women and their obsession with 'teaching lessons.'

"Thank you for defending me!" Abigail preened, offering Margaret a pastry. "You must be hungry after traveling. Have a snack while lunch is prepared."

Evelyn suddenly intervened. "Wait! She can't eat that!"

Abigail glared. "This is our house. Grandmother can eat whatever she wants." She turned sweetly to Margaret. "Ignore her. Please, have a bite."

Before Evelyn could stop them, Margaret took a large bite.

Abigail smirked triumphantly. "Why aren't you copying those rules yet? Remember—one hundred times!"

Suddenly, Margaret's face turned blue. She gasped for air, eyes bulging.

"Grandmother? What's wrong?" Abigail panicked.

Evelyn rushed forward, but Abigail blocked her. "Don't touch her!"

"She's choking! Move!"

"You're the danger here!" Abigail fought viciously to keep Evelyn away.

In desperation, Evelyn shoved Abigail aside and grabbed Margaret from behind. She performed abdominal thrusts, jumping forcefully.

"Help! Evelyn's killing Grandmother!" Abigail screamed as servants rushed in but hesitated to intervene while Evelyn held Margaret.

"Stay back!" Evelyn warned, stepping away with Margaret.

"Release madam!"

"Don't do anything rash!"

A commanding voice cut through the chaos. "What's going on here?"

The room chilled as Nathaniel entered.

Abigail threw herself at him. "Save Grandmother! Evelyn's murdering her!"

Nathaniel's dangerous gaze locked onto Evelyn. "Explain why you're assaulting an old woman."

Evelyn opened her mouth, but Abigail interrupted. "She made Grandmother angry, so Grandmother punished her. Now she's taking revenge! Nathaniel, she's insane! Divorce her now!"

Nathaniel pushed Abigail toward Lucas, his murderous focus remaining on Evelyn. "Let. Her. Go. Now."

"Wait—" Evelyn began.

Margaret suddenly coughed violently. Evelyn released her, and servants immediately surrounded the elderly woman.

Seeing his grandmother struggling to breathe, Nathaniel grabbed Evelyn by the throat. "How dare you?"

Evelyn's feet dangled as she choked. The deadly intent in Nathaniel's crimson eyes was unmistakable.