Chapter 2

Deathly silence.

The air seemed to solidify.

Grace held Aria, her frown deepening.

"What did she call you?"

She asked James, her tone full of disbelief and revulsion.

"A servant's bastard child dares to call you daddy?"

Victoria's soul nearly left her body. She dropped to her knees.

"Sir, ma'am, I'm so sorry!"

"This child has problems in her head. She babbles nonsense all the time. I'll go back and discipline her properly!"

She kowtowed repeatedly while reaching out to cover my mouth.

I shrank back, dodging her.

I remained kneeling, still looking up at James.

I said nothing, only staring at him stubbornly with those eyes so similar to Grace's.

My gaze said: I didn't call the wrong person.

James's Adam's apple bobbed.

He didn't immediately fly into a rage, nor did he have Victoria take me away.

He just stared at my face for a long time.

So long that even Grace grew impatient.

"James, what are you standing there for? Have Victoria get her out of here!"

"Aria's been frightened."

Aria in her arms cooperatively started sobbing again.

"Daddy, I'm scared. She's so dirty."

Aria's voice pulled James from his thoughts.

The trace of emotion in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by his usual coldness.

"Victoria, take her downstairs."

He spoke flatly.

"Yes, sir."

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief, quickly getting up and grabbing me like a chicken.

This time, I didn't resist.

Because I knew my goal was half-accomplished.

The seed of doubt had been planted in his heart.

I'd caught that momentary exchange of glances.

A man who dominated the business world wouldn't be easily swayed by emotions, but he absolutely trusted his own eyes and judgment.

My face was the strongest evidence.

Victoria dragged me out of the master bedroom at a quick pace.

Behind us, Grace's voice comforting Aria drifted over.

"Aria, don't be afraid. Mommy will make her leave our house tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay!" Aria immediately stopped crying.

Victoria's steps faltered.

My heart sank slightly too.

Leave this house?

That wouldn't do.

On the way back to the servants' quarters, the long corridor was silent.

Victoria said nothing, but her grip on my arm grew tighter and tighter.

I knew a beating awaited me.

Sure enough, as soon as we entered that dark, damp little room, she locked the door behind us.

Then she turned around, her face no longer showing the earlier fear—only viciousness and malice.

"You little bitch!"

She slapped me across the face.

A burning pain.

The blow sent me stumbling and falling to the floor.

"Who told you to run out there? Who told you to talk nonsense?"

Still unsatisfied, she raised her foot and kicked me.

I curled up, using my arms to protect my head.

Over three years, I'd learned this was the most effective way to protect myself.

I was used to this pain.

Compared to hunger and endless cold, physical suffering was actually the easiest to endure.

"Did you hear something?"

After a few kicks, she seemed tired and stopped, panting as she questioned me.

I lay on the floor, saying nothing.

"I'm talking to you!"

She grabbed my hair and yanked me up from the floor.

My scalp felt like it was tearing.

I was forced to lift my head and look at her twisted face.

"I'm warning you, Juniper."

"From now on, if you dare run around or talk nonsense again, I'll break your legs and cut out your tongue!"

"You remember this—I'm your mother! That Aria is the true Miss Reed!"

"You're just an unwanted bastard, fit only to serve my daughter like a slave for life!"

She said viciously.

I looked at her, my gaze calm.

No tears, no begging for mercy.

My calmness seemed to enrage her further.

"You dare glare at me?"

She raised her hand to hit me again.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

"Mrs. Hayes, are you in there?"

It was a young maid's voice.

Victoria's movement froze.

Her expression changed.

"What is it?"

She asked impatiently.

"Sir wants to see you."

The maid said from outside.

Victoria's pupils constricted sharply.

Sir?

Why would sir want to see her this late?

An ominous premonition settled over her.

She released my hair and threw me hard onto the floor.

"You stay right here and don't go anywhere!"

She warned me in a low voice, then walked over to open the door.

The maid outside saw her and paused.

"Mrs. Hayes, your face..."

"It's nothing. I just bumped into something."

Victoria explained vaguely, straightening her clothes and hair.

"Where is sir?"

"In the study."

"Alright, I'll go right away."

Victoria closed the door and locked it from the outside.

I heard her footsteps hurrying away.

The room returned to darkness and silence.

I climbed up from the cold floor mat and walked to the door.

I pressed my ear against it but heard nothing.

But I knew James must have grown suspicious because of my "daddy" call earlier.

He wanted to verify.

And Victoria was his first step in verification.

A cold smile curved my lips.

Did Victoria think locking me up would solve everything?

Too naive.

This tiny servants' room couldn't hold me.

I walked to the window and skillfully moved a small stool over.

The window had no lock, just a simple latch.

I stood on my toes and struggled to push it open.

Then I opened the window and took a deep breath of the cool night air.

Jumping down would hurt a bit.

But that was fine.

I knew tonight's show was just beginning.

I had to see it with my own eyes.