As soon as Angelina arrived back in her room, she let out a long sigh.

She hated to admit it. But it was true that her heart still pained when hearing Evelina brag about her 'love' with Chase.

Angelina's hands were clenched into a tight fist. She glanced around the room and confirmed that Marie has yet to return.

Knowing that, she felt slightly more at eased. She felt comfortable around Marie, but she still had to keep up a certain act.

Her gaze fell upon the wooden music box placed on her bed. She walked up to it slowly, before lifting it up and walking over to her closet.

She gently put down the music box back where she found it. Making sure it doesn't fall or get damaged.

After she was done, she was prepared to close the closet, but then she saw the luxurious gown she wore on her debut ball.

Seeing the gown, she remembered something. It reminded her of how truly little her influence was in the mansion.

Her debut ball would be completely ruined if it weren't for someone else's help.

She didn't like that feeling. The feeling of owing someone.

She had relied on the Marquess previously in her life, and once she lost her use, he abandoned her. The moment he abandoned her like a useless tool, she lost everything.

She didn't want to rely on people too much. She was worried that they too would toss her aside once she lost her use, and she would lose everything again.

Angelina sat down behind her desk and opened a locked drawer.

At that exact moment, the door opener quietly and Marie entered.

"Huh? Oh, miss. Is there something you need?" Marie entered while carrying a pile of newly washed dresses.

"Actually...Marie"

"Yes miss?" Marie put the pile of dresses away.

"I have to bother you with calling the head maid."

"The head maid? Uhmm..alright.." although Marie was confused, she didn't ask. She knew her miss has a reason for everything she does.

*****************

"Head maid!" A female servant approcahed the head maid.

"Huh? What is it? If it's not important, do not bother me. I'm quite busy!" The head maid said with indifference and annoyance.

"But....Marie told me the youngest lady is looking for you..."

"What did you say? Did you say the youngest lady?" The head maid was no longer indifferent to what the female servant had said.

After some consideration, the head maid agreed.

The head maid exited her office and saw Marie waiting for her by the kitchen door.

"Head maid" Marie bowed and greeted her.

"Hmph!" The head maid did not give Marie a glance. She arrogantly raise her head and humped.

Marie has already expected this outcome. She knows the head maid is an arrogant, cocky, and rude woman.

*****************

Marie lowered her head as she opened the door to Angelina's room for the head maid.

"......" The first thing the head maid saw when she entered the room, was the silver haired lady's back view as she stared out the window.

"This servant greets the youngest lady of the mansion" the head maid gritted her teeth as she forced herself to bow to one of the mansion's masters.

"Your finally here. We have quite the topic to discuss" Angelina turned her head slightly, showing the side view of her face.

"......." The head maid was not sure why. But she had a bad premonition.

*******************

"You unfilial child! What? Have you gone cocky after getting rich!?"

"Aunty, please leave my shop without causing trouble..." Sir Robert rubbed his temples as he tried to control his temper.

"You! How dare you! Shouldn't you help your brother!? You have money now right!? It won't hurt to give us some!" Sir Robert's stepmother shouted from the top of her lungs.

"Aunty. Brother's problem is his problem. Why should I give him so much money?"

"Your brother's fiance demands that they would hold a big wedding. You should know your brother doesn't have that much money! Shouldn't you help him!? " The middle aged woman shouted with outrage.

"Aunty. That's his problem, as I said, why would I pay for brother's own wedding!? If he doesn't have the money for a big wedding, then just hold a small one!" Sir Robert could no longer hold back his annoyance.

His stepmother has been going on about this topic for the whole afternoon, and refuses to leave. It caused much disturbance to the customers, and many of them just left.

Eventually, sir Robert was able to Chase his outraged stepmother out. But he knew she wouldn't give up.

*****************

"You may leave us, Marie" Angelina smiled at the head maid.

"Alright miss" Marie quietly closed the door after she left.

"Is...is there something you need from me, youngest miss...?" The head maid felt that her earlier premonition was correct. There was no way there was something good coming out of this conversation.

"Head maid, did you forget my past advice?"

"What...?"

"Did I not tell you to know your place? " Angelina sighed before continuing. "You and my elder sister certainly have quite a close relationship..."

"You..." The head maid's poker face cracked. But she still true her best to smile and act ignorant.

"What do you mean m'lady....? I don't understand"

"Hm... shouldn't you know it's useless to act like clueless at this time..?"

"......"

"Don't treat me like an foolish child. Don't you dare think I don't know about what you have been doing." Angelina glared at the head maid. Angelina's burning gaze made the head maid sweat. But her gaze was also cold and chilling.

"I-i still don't understand what you mean m'lady...."

"Oh? I'm sure you didn't instruct the maids to ruin my debut gown in your sleep. There's little to no chance that you have completely forgotten." She said as a grin appeared on her face.

".....! Young miss.... don't slander me like that! I would never do such a thing!"

"Your act is starting to be extremely annoying."

"......."

"My...what a surprise. Earlier I would never have expected you to team up with Evelina to ruin my gown."

"Miss I d-"

"I already know everything. It's useless to still try to act oblivious."

"......"

"That day you instructed the maids who were tasked with inspecting my gown, to help my elder sister to find a time to come in the room my gown was kept and ruin it, right?"

".....!" The head maid watched with a terrified expression as Angelina approched her, and wrapped her arms around the head maid's neck.

"Don't worry I won't tell anyone. Unless..." Angelina retreated her arms.

"U-unless what....?" The head maid felt her heart race. She was beginning to panic.

If Angelina revealed what she has done to the Duke or Duchess, she would lose her job!

But, Angelina doesn't have proof. So, unless she has any evidence, she is safe!

"All I need you to do is move to my side. If you stay loyal to me, I'll forget all the times you have wronged me. " She said smiling.

"Heh...why would I do that..?" The head maid sneered. Her mind began to ease, knowing that Angelina doesn't actually have proof.

"Can't you tell? I'm not asking you, miss head maid. I'm threatening you"

"What...?"

"Let's just say a certain someone told me that you have recently gotten 'involved' with one of the noblemen who stayed at our mansion last week."

"......!"

"We wouldn't want word of this to reach to his wife, would we...?" Angelina sneered. Her expression was clearly showing she was mocking the head maid.

"Y-you! You don't dare! You have no proof!" The head maid staggered a few steps. Her forehead was covered with a thing layer of sweat.

"No proof? Then...what is this..." Angelina pulled out her arm that was hidden behind her. In the grasp of her hand was ruby pendant.

"You...what..." The head maid felt her legs turn numb. Her knees collapsed and she fell to the ground. She lifted her hand and touched her neck.

She was just wearing the pendant....

How did Angelina get her pendant...?

'wait....' the head maid's eyes widened and her frown deepened.

' Did she....did she take it when she was hugging me...!?' The head maid stared at Angelina, completely horrified.

"This doesn't seem like something a mere servant could purchase..."

After a moment of silence, Angelina began to speak again.

"This is the gift from that noblemen, right?" Angelina's smile grew even wider.

"N-no-"

"It's useless to deny it. I already know. Now.....will you work for me or not..?"

"......." ' it's over....if don't agree to her...I'll be fired..I could even be sent to prison....'

Angelina watched with silence as the head maid kowtowed in front of her and begged for forgiveness.

"Please don't tell anyone, youngest lady. I'll do everything you say! Just please do not let news of this spread out!"

The head maid kowtowed three times. Her forehead was starting to turn red. Her desperate expression looked even uglier with the tears streaming down her face.

"Very good. If you remain loyal to me, I'll be sure to give you many...' benefits'..."

The head maid gritted her teeth as her tears flowed down her chin.

"This servant thanks the youngest miss for her benevolence..."