Chapter 6
I straightened my sleeves and walked into the flower hall.
The flower hall was already packed with people.
Jaylee sat at the head of the table, with Giselle seated next to her. Further down were the concubines and the other daughters.
When I walked in, everyone turned to look at me.
Jaylee waved me over. "Adelynn, you're here. Come, sit with me."
I walked over and sat down beside her.
She took my hand, looking me up and down.
"You look a bit pale. Didn't sleep well?" she asked gently.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Jaylee. I'm alright," I replied.
Jaylee nodded, but just as she was about to speak, there was a stir at the door.
Jason walked in.
Someone was following right behind him.
It was Martha.
She kept her head down, sticking close to him like a frightened little rabbit.
The whole hall went dead silent.
Everyone's eyes were on her.
Jaylee's brows furrowed a bit. "Jason, who is she?"
Jason stepped forward and bowed.
"Grandmother, this is a maid I rescued by the pond today. She fell in, so I pulled her out. She was drenched, so I had her change clothes and brought her here to greet you," he explained.
Fell into the water?
I raised an eyebrow.
She was digging around the edge of the pond for my pendant, so how did it suddenly become her falling in?
Martha bowed in respect to Jaylee.
"Good to see you, Mrs. Robertson," she said softly.
Her voice was soft and sweet, with just the right touch of trembling.
Jaylee glanced at her and said, "Raise your head."
Martha looked up.
The moment her face was revealed, I caught a hint of something unusual in Jaylee's eyes.
It was subtle, vanishing almost instantly.
But I still noticed it.
"She's quite a refined lady," Jaylee said.
Martha's head bowed, and she moved to the side, standing there perfectly proper.
She never looked at me.
But I knew she was paying attention to me.
She was checking out everyone in the room, using every trick—side glances, quick peeks, anything she could think of to stay unnoticed.
She was sizing up the crowd and figuring out who mattered most, plotting how to cozy up to them.
This was who Martha really was.
She never let an opportunity slip by.
The party began.
One dish after another was served; laughter echoed through the hall, and cups clinked as everyone toasted and chatted.
Martha lingered quietly in the corner, like she wasn't even there.
But her gaze stayed locked on Jaylee the whole time.
Her eyes were full of longing, a touch of jealousy, and something else I just couldn't quite figure out.
Suddenly, Jaylee shifted in her seat.
She reached for her coffee cup on the table.
Her hand shook a bit, and she couldn't quite grab it.
Martha reacted right away.
She stepped forward, picked up the coffee cup, and handed it to Jaylee with both hands.
"Here's your coffee, Mrs. Robertson," she said softly.
Her movements were gentle, her posture respectful, and her voice was perfectly gentle.
Jaylee glanced at her and took the cup. "You're a clever girl."
Martha lowered her head, her cheeks flushing a little.
"I'm really lucky to be able to serve you," she said softly.
Jaylee just smiled and let it go.
But I could tell she'd already remembered Martha, just like my previous life.
Martha slowly wormed her way into Jaylee's heart, step by step.
Holding my coffee, I sipped it slowly.
No rush—this was just the beginning.
Halfway through the party, a maid rushed in and leaned over to whisper something to Martha.
Martha's expression changed for just a moment.
She looked up at me, giving me a quick glance.
It was just a fleeting look, so brief that almost nobody caught it.
But I did.
There was panic in her eyes, a hint of calculation, and even a touch of triumph.
She bowed her head and followed the maid out.
I set down my coffee cup and gave Sara a meaningful glance.
Sara caught on and quietly followed them out.
It wasn't long before Sara came back.
Sara came over, bent down, and whispered in a low voice, "Miss Arnold, Martha went to the pond. Someone saw her sneak into the water when nobody was paying attention, trying to retrieve something."
Trying to get something out?
She was after that pendant I'd tossed right into the middle of the pond.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Last time, when she picked up the pendant, it was pure luck.
This time, going into the water for it—that was stealing.
She stole my fortune.
"Let her," I said.
Sara hesitated, looking a little lost.
"Miss Arnold, what about the pendant?" she asked uncertainly.
"That pendant's sunk deep in the mud," I said. "Even if she dredges the whole pond, she won't find it."