Looking at Joyce, Butler Thomas narrowed his eyes and asked, “You said you knew where she was. So tell us, where was she when the guest went missing?”
He had no patience for their little schemes; a pressing matter demanded his full attention as the whereabouts of Miss Lynette remained unknown.
“I hope you understand the consequences of lying. Choose your words carefully and make sure you have evidence to back them up.”
He cared little for their petty rivalries, as long as they didn’t interfere with the affairs of the mansion.
He would not tolerate any conspiracy that could disturb the peace or tarnish the mansion’s reputation all in the name of someone’s greed.
“Yes,” Joyce responded, bowing her head as if wronged.
She turned to Alice, her eyes apologetic, as if she didn’t want to do this but had no choice.
“Sister Alice, why did you enter the master's bedroom on the third floor?” Joyce's voice was soft, yet it was laced with a hint of accusations. She quickly followed up with an explanation, “ Don't misunderstand me, I mean no harm, I … I'm just worried about you.”
Many of the servants overheard her words.
GASP!
Was what Joyce said true?
“It can't be true, right?”
“No way!”
“If what Joyce said is the truth …then it's over for Maid Alice.”
“Tsk, tsk… serves her right. I think that position made her arrogant and prideful.”
“I don't believe it; Maid Alice wouldn't do that. She's not that kind of a person.”
“I think Joyce is just envious of Alice's position. She's always wanted it for herself.”
“Oh please, shut up. I believe Joyce. Why would she lie ? She knows what happens to anyone who lies in this mansion.
There were whispers all around, some relishing Maid Alice's misfortune, while others were genuinely worried.
“I… It's not what you –” Maid Alice stuttered, her voice faltering, with sweat beading on her forehead.
“I'm sorry, sister. it's all my fault.” Joyce's interjected , cutting Alice office .“I shouldn't have revealed the truth here. It's just - I didn't know what to do. I'm worried that something might happen to you, or that you're in a difficult situation, and you won't share it with us sisters ”
Joyce looked overjoyed, though she hid it well with her worried talks. If Alice wasn't guilty of such crimes, she wouldn't be stammering and panicking right now. This time, Alice had screwed up for real, and that position would soon be mine.
Meaning that their plan to trap her had succeeded.
Joyce came up with a plan to trap Alice into breaking the rules of the mansion, and Tina executed the plan.
Her work was just to give the ideas and sneak Tina into the mansion without Butler Thomas's knowledge.
The rest was left for Tina to do. After all, if she was caught, or maybe their plan was found out, it wouldn't affect Joyce.
Joyce made sure not to be seen with Tina when she had sneaked her into the mansion .
Butler Thomas raised an eyebrow, as if watching a Opera.
In that moment, he blacklisted Joyce in his mind; no important position would ever go to someone daring enough to involve the third floor in her schemes.
Turning to Alice, he asked, “What do you have to say for yourself?”
Alice froze, her cheeks flushed, and anxiety was evident in her trembling hands.
“Come on, Sister Alice,” Joyce coaxed, tilting her head to the left, as her soft voice couldn't hide the insistence in luring Alice to speak, as if she knew the outcome already. “Just tell the truth. I know it wasn’t you. Maybe someone’s trying to frame you… I believe it’s not you.”
Everyone nodded in unison, except Butler Thomas, who already knew the truth.
“Yes, Sister Alice, Maid Joyce is right,” Servant A agreed.
“Just tell the truth.”
Alice squeezed her eyes shut in defeat. “It… it wasn't me,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
HUH!!