As Charlotte was leaving Zachary’s room for lunch, she ran into Cynthia, who was holding a first aid kit in her hands.
The unexpected coincidence made Cynthia fret. Frantically, she stepped aside to make way for Charlotte.
The latter took a quick glance at her, then walked past her.
Cynthia was so anxious that she waited until Charlotte had gone downstairs before she lifted her head to look at her.
An indescribable feeling of hatred and jealousy crept up on her as she gazed at Charlotte’s back.
“Ms. Windt, lunch is ready.” Mrs. Rawlston enthusiastically invited Charlotte over to the dining table. Waving at her, she exclaimed, “I have prepared all of these just for you. There are hot cross bunnies as well as mac and cheese.”
Scanning the sumptuous spread on the table, Charlotte was delighted to see her favorite food and rose tea.
“We’ve been looking forward to your return for two long years.” Mrs. Rawlston doted on Charlotte like a close family member. Her gaze was warm and friendly. “I remember every single dish that you love and the tea that you like. I also remember that you enjoy sitting by the wall. Come over here, and take your seat.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Rawlston.” Charlotte was deeply touched.
I used to consider myself a stupid and incompetent coward. Now that I realize how well these senior housekeepers have been treating me, it suddenly dawns on me that my former self wasn’t so bad after all.
“You’re most welcome. We are family.” Mrs. Rawlston placed a napkin on Charlotte’s lap. “Robbie and Jamie couldn’t wait any longer, so they have both eaten. I guess they are probably asleep by now. Mr. Zachary will be joining you soon.”
“All right,” Charlotte responded briefly.
Right when she was about to dig in, Mrs. Rawlston asked carefully, “Ms. Windt…” She faltered before adding, “Where’s Mrs. Berry? Did she come back with you? How is she?”
Charlotte trembled upon hearing that familiar name. The silver spoon fell off her hand and landed on the plate with a crisp sound.
“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Rawlston asked after noticing Charlotte’s odd expression, “Did I say something wrong? Please don’t mind me asking about Mrs. Berry. We became really good friends during her stay here. I’ve been missing her so much these two years. So, I just wanted to know how she’s doing.”
“Mrs. Berry has passed on,” lowering her head, Charlotte muttered.
Mrs. Rawlston froze for a while. Upon recovering her senses, she queried further, “What happened? She was perfectly fine when she left. We even made plans to return to the countryside together…”
“She was killed,” Charlotte interrupted her. In a quavering voice, she stated, “I’ll seek revenge for her.”
“How could this be?” Mrs. Rawlston was shocked to the core. As tears streamed down her face, her heart sank. “What about you, Ms. Windt? How did you get through the two years on your own?”
Mrs. Rawlston struggled to imagine what Charlotte had gone through over the past few years.
The tragedy that befell Mrs. Berry must have impacted her adversely. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have changed her identity and yearned to become so powerful.
“I’m okay. It’s all in the past now.” Charlotte smiled. “I’m fine. Nobody dares to bully me anymore.”
“Silly child…” Mrs. Rawlston’s eyes glistened.
Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the phrase. Instantly, she recalled how Mrs. Berry consoled her each time she was anguished. “Silly child, don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you, come what may.”
How could anyone do such a vicious thing to a kind soul like Mrs. Berry?
While she was in deep thoughts, a bodyguard dashed toward Ben and reported, “Ben, Sharon has escaped!”
“What?” Ben commanded, “Chase after her and bring her back immediately.”
“Our men are tailing her now. She took one of the cars…”
“Lupine,” Charlotte called out.
“I’m here!” Within a blink of an eye, Lupine darted into the room with two other bodyguards. She glared at Ben and scoffed, “The Nachts are such losers.”
