Chapter 19
“When did it become your place to speak up, Marian? Last I checked, it’s not the maid’s turn to talk when the lady of the house is speaking.“N
Marian let out a little scoff. “Funny, isn’t it? We’re both staff, but somehow she gets to complain as much as she wants, and I’m not even allowed to open my mouth? The favoritism here couldn’t be more obvious.
“And just for the record, I’m paid by the Parsons family, not the Newtons. Mrs. Newton, I don’t think you actually have the authority to order me around, do you?” Marian shot the Newton staff a look, making it clear she wasn’t a fan of anyone in this house–no exceptions.
Kelly was manipulative and nasty, and her son’s just as bad. Honestly, none of them are decent people.}]
“Miss,” Marian turned to Patricia, “Judy’s been here long enough, and her heart’s not in it. Why not just let her go back?}
“Mrs Newton rushed down here the second she heard something was up with Judy. Clearly, she cares about her. Who are we to stand in the way of that?”
“You…!” Kelly was so angry, she nearly lost her breath. For a maid, Marian really knew how to talk back.”
Patricia didn’t take the bait. Instead, she glanced over at Kelly, silently asking for her opinion.
Truth was, Patricia still needed Judy, so she wasn’t going to let her walk away that easily.
Instead of giving Marian the answer she wanted, Patricia offered Kelly an out, siding with her instead. “Mrs. Newton is just too generous. She treats everyone who works here like family.
“Judy, shouldn’t you be thanking her for that?”
Suddenly put on the spot, Judy felt a chill run down her spine. She nodded like crazy. “Yes. Mrs. Newton, please forgive me.“>
She needed to stay. If she left now, wouldn’t that make her seem ungrateful for how much the Newtons supposedly valued her?”
Patricia ducked her head, her smile icy and calm. “Was it really worth making a scene over something so trivial? Marian, take her and go get some dinner.”
Once the others left, only Patricia and Kelly remained in the living room.
It was always like this: whenever Kelly couldn’t get the upper hand, she’d start picking fights. Patricia had gotten used to it over the past couple of years.)
Kelly’s gaze drifted around the room, pausing on the empty space behind the sofa–where the antique folding screen used to stand. Grandma had given it to her and Oliver as a wedding present.”
“Where’s the screen?” Kelly asked, keeping her tone light.“]
“The weather’s warmer now,” Patricia said. “With the windows open, pollen blows in and could ruin the colors. It’s tough to clean, so I put it away.”
Kelly listened for any hidden meaning in Patricia’s explanation but came up empty. So, she went back to her usual theme. “Do you and Oliver really plan on living like this forever?“}]
“Are you suggesting I should just step aside?”
A flicker of something crossed Kelly’s face. She would never actually say that. What would that make her? The evil mother–in–law who forced her son’s wife out?!
“I never said that.”
“Well, since you didn’t, I’ll just pretend I never heard it.”
“I don’t like people dancing around the subject with me. If you’d just say what you mean, maybe I’d actually consider it.“N
“You” Kelly couldn’t believe Patricia would ever be so agreeable. Kelly has suffered from her cold sarcasm for two years. Would one sentence change anything now? Patricia was definitely up to something.
Deciding not to give Patricia the satisfaction, Kelly turned and left.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Patricia’s polite smile faded. She watched Kelly’s retreating figure, her eyes suddenly sharp and cold
That evening, as darkness fell, Patricia stepped out into the garden to get some fresh air.
The phone rang &
