Chapter 2
Having received the answer I wanted, I didn’t linger. I promptly grabbed my suitcase and headed to the guest room.
After a quick shower, there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Shields‘ voice was tinged with an appeasing tone: “Clara, you must be hungry after your long journey. Mom had the kitchen prepare a feast. Why don’t you come see if it’s to your liking?”
I took my seat to the right of Mr. Shields. Mrs. Shields eagerly served me, causing Julie’s eyes to redden with jealousy–she who once enjoyed such treatment now
found herself neglected.
I glanced at Julie, eating unhurriedly as I waited for her to make a scene. However, before the main act could begin, an unexpected player entered the fray.
Mrs. Lewis, the head cook of the Shields household, spoke up first: “Ma’am, Miss Julie has been crying in secret these past few days. She’s heartbroken. I was thinking, surely the quarrels of the older generation shouldn’t affect an innocent
child!”
Mrs. Lewis seemed to be harboring some personal feelings as she set the soup tureen in front of me with unnecessary force.
With a “clunk,” droplets splattered across the table.
In the next moment, I made a move that surprised everyone…
Under the watchful eyes of all present, I calmly swapped the tureens in front Shields and myself.
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Mrs. Shields quietly explained, “C–Clara, your soup and your father’s are prepared the same way. There’s no need to switch,”
Julie, startled by my action, then chimed in with, feigned understanding: “Sister, that behavior is impolite. You must be mindful when you’re a guest in someone else’s home. Otherwise, people might question the manners taught in our family…”
Rebellious Brother was busy, dividing his attention between gauging my reaction. and signaling Julie with raised eyebrows and meaningful looks to stop talking. Well, well…
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The young man wasn’t a fool. He could distinguish between normal conversation and passive–aggressive remarks.
He also knew who was safe to provoke and who wasn’t.
Mr. Shields, clearly hoping to enjoy a peaceful family dinner, coughed twice to interrupt Julie: “Jules, let’s not discuss other matters during mealtime.”
It was obvious I wasn’t one to be trifled with, yet Julie kept reaching out to provoke me. Mr. Shields began to realize that his usually sweet daughter wasn’t as innocent
as she seemed.
I rested my chin on my hand, intrigued: “No, no, no. My switching the soup has nothing to do with manners. It’s purely because this cook seems to be Julie’s lapdog. Listen to what she just said–speaking out of turn before her employers could say a word. Her ill will towards me runs so deep, what if she spat in my soup?
Shouldn’t I be cautious?”
My explanation successfully made Mr. Shields‘ mouth twitch: “So, you switched our
soups?”
I considerately picked up some food for Mr. Shields: “Dad, listen to yourself. You’re the head of the house. If you hire someone like this, shouldn’t you be responsible
for their actions?”
Mrs. Lewis was the first to start crying.
How to put it? She had about three–tenths of Julie’s dramatic flair.
With reproachful eyes and a voice caught between sobbing and singing, she lamented: “Sir, I’m practically family. I’ve watched Miss Julie grow up. She’s just a little girl suddenly facing cold treatment. I only spoke up because I was worried she might do something rash. I never thought Miss Clara would view me this way. even accusing me of tampering with the food.”
Mrs. Shields frowned slightly, trying to smooth things over: “Clara, you must be overthinking this.”
As soon as she finished speaking, I swiftly swapped her tureen with the one in
front of Mr. Shields.
02
Now the soup I highly suspected was placed in front of Mrs. Shields. I smiled
sweetly: “If that’s the case, Mom, please drink up. Don’t be shy.”
Mrs. Shields: “…”
Staring at the ripples on the surface of the soup…
She… she couldn’t bring herself to drink it either!
Glancing at the now–rigid Mrs. Shields, I crossed my legs under the table and said leisurely: “One look at our family and you can tell we’re virtuous people, all about kindness and generosity. That’s good. However, the future for the men in our family might be a bit rocky.”
Rebellious Brother looked up from his bowl, playing along: “What do you mean by that?”
I spoke gravely: “Brother, think about it. Think carefully! What happened to the nanny who was switched with me? And what about the maid who just spoke rudely to me? If there’s no punishment for wrongdoing and foul language, won’t things. spiral out of control?
“Especially the one who replaced me–she’s practically blazed a trail to wealth and glory for future generations. It doesn’t matter much to me since I’ll be married off eventually. But I feel sorry for Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and you. “Imagine the scene: you get married and have children in the future. You have one child, they switch it. You have another, they switch that one too. Fast forward. fifteen years, and what a lively scene that would be! Is this what they call a house full of children and grandchildren?
“I’ve even thought of what sign we should hang on our front door: ‘Shields Family Charitable Orphanage.“”
I took a sip of water to moisten my throat, shaking my head in wonder: “Actually, it’s not a bad deal. You have one child, and fifteen years later, you get two children. in return. No need for watering or fertilizing. Isn’t that a bargain?”
“Cough, cough-”
That was Eldest Brother choking on his food.
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“Pfft-”
That was Second Brother spitting out his water.
The two of them, as if copy–pasted, gestured for me to stop my terrifying
speculation.
Seeing that everyone’s expressions had soured, Julie started to panic. She steeled herself to plead for Mrs. Lewis: “S–Sister, Mrs. Lewis was just feeling sorry for me. She didn’t mean to target you.”
Mrs. Lewis played along, starting to apologize with her hands clasped in front of her: “Miss Julie is right! Sir, Ma’am, I have elderly parents and young children to support. How could I ever think of targeting Miss Clara? Miss Clara, it’s entirely my fault. How about this? Could you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Julie pressed on: “I know you’ve always had issues with me, Sister, but you
shouldn’t take it out on Mrs. Lewis just because you don’t like me. She’s innocent in all this. I’ll move out soon, so I won’t be an eyesore to you anymore…” “What nonsense is this!” Mrs. Shields exclaimed. “The Shields family can certainly afford to keep you. There’s no reason for you to move out!”
Mrs. Shields‘ heart, which had hardened a bit, instantly melted. She rejected Julie’s offer outright.
“Alright, since Mrs. Lewis has admitted her mistake, let’s leave it at that. Everyone, say no more about this.”
With that light remark, she set the tone, determined to smooth things over completely.
I swept my gaze over the now–meek Mrs. Lewis…
My eyes traveled downward…
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Good thing I hadn’t placed too much hope in this cheap display of motherly love, or I might have died of frustration.
I let out a snort of laughter, once again drawing the attention of everyone at the
table.
Leaning back in my chair with a relaxed posture, I said sarcastically, “Realize her
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mistake? Not a single word she just said was an apology! Every sentence was dripping with sarcasm! Tch! I really wonder if you’re the masters of this house. How can you all be so blind?”
To others, these words might have sounded quite harsh.
Mrs. Shields, as the lady of the house, had her authority challenged repeatedly and publicly by her own daughter. Even with her good temper, she couldn’t help but feel a bit angry: “Clara, Mom knows you’re unhappy. Mom will make up for the motherly love you’ve been lacking. You don’t need to be like a porcupine, pricking
everyone you see.”
I didn’t give Mrs. Shields room to continue, cutting in: “Mom, are you really not seeing it, or just pretending not to?”
“Wh–what? Clara, what are you talking about?”
“Haven’t you seen how Mrs. Lewis has been looking at Dad? She was practically sobbing while staring at him earlier, her eyes almost drooling! Anyone who didn’t know better might think she was Dad’s mistress! Mom, you’re protecting her so much, don’t tell me you’ve taken her in as a concubine?”
This statement successfully made all the men present choke. Mr. Shields couldn’t stop coughing, his face turning red from the effort.
Mrs. Shields‘ expression changed in an instant. She glared fiercely at Mrs. Lewis, like a lioness protecting her territory, scanning her from head to toe, trying to find any impropriety.
I, enjoying the drama, couldn’t help but stir the pot further: “Look at her bracelet, she’s secretly wearing a couple’s set with Dad!“,
I pointed at the bit of wrist exposed by Mrs. Lewis‘ clasped hands, and the eye- catching knot on her bracelet.
Mr. Shields‘ hands moved like windshield wipers as he quickly took off his bracelet
and
threw it on the table, his voice hoarse as he tried to clear his name: “No!
There’s absolutely nothing between us!”
A man of his position and power, if he really wanted to have an affair, he could.
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have anyone he wanted.
There was no need to go after the household cook.
It’s not like he was starving!
Mrs. Shields moved quick as lightning, grabbing Mrs. Lewis‘ wrist and ignoring her struggles as she yanked off the bracelet that matched Mr. Shields‘ style.
The craftsmanship was a bit rough, clearly handmade.
The inside of the pendant even had Mr. Shields‘ initials engraved on it, and the silver was polished to a shine, obviously well–cared for in daily life.
Mrs. Shields looked like she’d swallowed a fly!
She knew it!
There had been several times when Mrs. Lewis had lingered outside the study late at night, claiming she was bringing supplements to the master because he looked. tired. At the time, Julie had laughed at her, saying she was overthinking it, that Mrs. Lewis wasn’t that kind of person…
Now, thinking back…
With this in mind, Mrs. Shields‘ gaze suddenly turned to Julie, who was sitting
across from her in a daze.
Julie’s body trembled as she covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. She quickly said, “Mom, believe me, I really didn’t know anything about this.”
Whether Mrs. Shields believed her or not was unclear.
Mrs. Shields regained her elegant demeanor of a high–society lady and calmly called for the butler, asking him to thoroughly search through Mrs. Lewis‘ belongings.
There was no more talk of letting Mrs. Lewis continue working.
See? You never feel the pain until the knife is in your own back. Now that Mrs.
Lewis was suspected of coveting the master of the house, Mrs. Shields couldn’t smooth things over anymore, could she?
Feeling that disaster was upon her, Mrs. Lewis knelt on the ground, her eyes.
constantly darting towards Julie, hoping she would put in a good word for her.
02
But Julie wasn’t tired of her life of luxury. How could she dare to make eye contact at a time like this? She kept her head down, sobbing and counting the grains of
rice in her bowl.
A few minutes later, the butler returned with several strong men and took Mrs.
Lewis away.
The atmosphere had become so strange that only I was still happily eating my
dinner.
Mrs. Shields occasionally added food to my plate, not sparing a single glance for Julie.
After dinner, the men of the house gradually left the table. I met Julie’s red and swollen eyes, not missing the flash of viciousness in them.
I smiled with interest, meeting her gaze calmly.
Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention to us, I slowly mouthed: “Lapdog, KO!”
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