“ Uhmm…” Daniella hesitated, fingers tightening around the paper bag as she lifted it slightly.“ I just came to return the clothes he left at my place last night.”
She paused, then lowered her gaze, lashes fluttering as if embarrassed.
“ I'm sorry for coming unannounced,” she shifted her weight uneasily, clutching the bag to her chest.“ His phone wasn't going through, and i was afraid i might trouble him if i waited.”
Her lip curved into a faint, apologetic smile as she extended the bag forward.
“ I only wanted to return this to him.”
She was about to hand over the bag when she saw a woman walking down the stairs.
Her fingers stiffened instantly, clenching around the handle – caught between excitement and calculation.
Finally…the big fish is hooked, she thought.
Madam Hale descended the stairs at an unhurried pace, one hand resting lightly on the polished railing.
Her posture was upright, every step measured, as though the entire mansion existed to accommodate her presence.
She wore a fitted dress that shimmered faintly under the lights, the kind that announced its price without needing words.
Her gaze swept the living room once, brief and dismissive before settling on Daniella.
There was no warmth in her eyes.
Only assessment
Her lips curved, not into a smile, but into something colder.
“ Madam Hale,” the elderly servant greeted, bowing respectfully.
Madam Hale gave a short hum in response, her attention already drifting elsewhere, as though Daniella were nothing more than part of the furniture.
“ Why is there a guest here?” Madam Hale asked, her tone cool as she stopped at the foot of the stairs.
Daniella immediately straightened her body. She lowered her head and dipped into a bow.
“ G–good afternoon, Madam Hale.”
Her fingers tightened around the bag in her hands. She lifted her gaze briefly – eyes glossy, lashes trembling, before dropping it again, as though afraid she had offended someone.
Madam Hale studied her in silence.
The girl's shoulder were drawn inward, her posture cautious, almost fragile.
Madam Hale's lips curved faintly – not a smile though, but something sharper before she looked away.
“ Hmph ”
“ You haven't answered me, Nanny Ruth.” Madam Hale's gaze flicked toward the servant.“ Why is there a guest here?”
Before the elderly servant could answer, Daniella's soft voice slipped in.
Daniella swallowed softly. She shifted the bag in her hands, fingers tightening around the handles before she finally lifted it slightly.
“ I…I came to return something Young Master Alex left behind,” She said, her voice hesitant, almost apologetic.
Madam Hale's gaze flicked to the bag.
Silence stretched...
“ Last night,” Daniella added quietly, as if the words weighted on her tongue.
She lowered her head again, leashes trembling.“ I tried calling him this morning but his phone wasn't going through. I didn't know what else to do…”
The bag rustled faintly as she held it out, both hands now supporting it as though it were something delicate, something meaningful.
Madam Hale's expression froze. Her eyes sharpened, lingering on the bag a second longer than necessary.
“ Oh?” She said at last, her voice unreadable.
The elderly servant standing nearby stiffened almost imperceptibly.
“ So,” She said coolly,“ You're his girlfriend.”
Daniella's lips parted as if startled. She shook her head quickly, then stopped, as though realized how that might sound. Her grip on her clothes tightened – in excitement.
“ I – I wouldn't dare be improper,” she said, though her eyes were smiling.“ I only wanted to return what doesn't belong to me.”
Madam Hale let out a short humorless laugh.
“ Of course.”
Madam Hale reached out and took the bag with just two fingers, as if it were filthy. Then she rudely dropped it onto the marble floor like trash.
“ Burn this,” She ordered the elderly servant.
Daniella stiffened, her fingers clenching around invisible fury as she forced herself to stay composed.
Bowing her head, she hid the mania and hatred boiling inside.
Tears welled in her eyes, but her posture remained submissive, bullied and insulted.
Madam Hale's gaze swept over her mockily, taking in the careful crafted weakness she displayed.
“ Keep those scheming thoughts out of my son's life,” She snapped.
“ You do not belong to his league. So don't think you would ever enter this house as my daughter-in-law.”
“Alex has a fiancee already. You are nothing but…his plaything,” She continued, the words slicing the air.
“ And i allow him to amorously exploits, knowing he will return to his senses in the end.”
“ Stay in your limit – as his bedmate in time of need ”
“ Dare to think otherwise…” Madam Hale's eyes flashed dangerously.
“ Then let's see…who he'll listen to. You…” She paused, disgust curling her lips,“ Or me.“