Chapter 3

Edward was about to help Charlotte into the car when I pulled open the driver's side door and slid behind the wheel.

I slammed on the gas and left them choking on my exhaust fumes.

In the rearview mirror, I caught Bill and Edward cursing and shouting after me, and I saw every single one of those society wives standing there with their eyes wide open.

What kind of housekeeper would act this boldly?

They'd come up with their own answers soon enough.

By tomorrow, someone in their tight-knit circle would figure out that Charlotte was nothing but a fraud.

I pulled the car into the driveway, and Mary rushed over with that sickeningly sweet smile plastered on her face, ready to open the door. "Mrs. Lewis, welcome back—"

Her smile froze on her face. The back seat was empty, and I was climbing out of the driver's seat instead.

The moment she realized it was me, her expression soured instantly, switching from all smiles to a scowl in a heartbeat.

"Why are you driving? Where's Bill? And where's Mrs. Lewis?"

I locked eyes with her. "Mary, do you remember who Mrs. Lewis is in this house?"

She froze for a second, then corrected herself reluctantly. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Lewis. I got used to it over the past two years."

I slammed the car door shut. "Tell Bill he doesn't need to come to work anymore."

Mary panicked immediately and grabbed my hand. "Mrs. Lewis, you can't fire Bill. He's old, and it'll be hard for him to find another job."

I let out a cold laugh. "Hard to find work? He can be Charlotte's driver. Perfect job for him."

She tried to plead with me again, but I turned and glared at her. "One more word and you're out too." She shut her mouth, but I could see the anger and resentment burning in her eyes.

Of course, she was bitter about it.

But that was precisely why I wanted to keep her around—so she could watch Charlotte's downfall with her own eyes and regret everything.

Before long, Charlotte came back with Edward, and Bill followed them in.

He came straight to me, demanding an explanation. "Vivian, you can't fire me."

I sneered, "Why can't I? Give me one reason."

He looked over at Charlotte. "Mrs. Lewis, you tell me—does she have the right to fire me? In this house, I only take orders from you."

Mary quickly pulled Bill away. "Stop it, just stop talking."

But Bill wasn't backing down. "What's there to be afraid of? Everyone knows Mrs. Lewis has been running this house for the past two years anyway. She's the one who calls the shots, not Vivian with her fragile health."

I let out a sneer. He had a backbone after all.

I turned to look at Charlotte, curious to see how she'd handle backing them up.

Edward's expression shifted, and he turned to Charlotte with a question. "Charlotte, what's this servant trying to say? I feel like there's something behind her words."

Charlotte immediately put on her magnanimous act. "She's my distant cousin. Her family's struggling financially, and I didn't have the heart to send her away. I never thought my kindness would make her this arrogant."

She could lie through her teeth without batting an eye, and I knew exactly where her confidence came from.

She thought that by controlling Samuel, she could keep me in line.

But Samuel was already safely tucked away somewhere else now. Charlotte had absolutely nothing left to threaten me with.

And that idiot Edward bought every word of Charlotte's story.

Edward's finger shot up and nearly jabbed me right in the nose. "You're nothing but a lowly maid, so don't think you can manipulate Charlotte just because she's got a soft heart. I'm telling you right now—not a chance."

I slapped his hand away. "Get your paws off me. Try that again, and I swear I'll break your fingers."