Chapter 19: Trouble Already

Chapter 19: Trouble Already
LEONA
The rest of the maids looked at me with varying degrees of curiosity, some of them whispering behind their hands, others simply staring. I could feel their judgment, the heavy silence that followed the blonde girl's words.
I gritted my teeth, trying to ignore them. I wasn't going to let their words get to me. I wasn't here for them, after all.
"I was sent to help," I said, hoping to end the conversation before it could go any further. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get to work."
I pushed past the group of maids and wheeled myself over to the sink, hoping to drown out their voices as I focused on the task at hand. The pile of dishes was enormous—pots, plates, and cutlery stacked high. I stared at it for a moment, trying to think of a way to reach the sink. The counter was too high for me to access properly from my wheelchair. I knew this was going to be uncomfortable, but I had no choice.
The silence in the room stretched on, and I could feel the tension growing. I was acutely aware of every gaze on me. My fingers gripped the edge of the counter as I tried to reach the pile of dishes, but it was nearly impossible. The plates were stacked so high that I couldn't even begin to reach the top.
The laughter started quietly at first—low and sneaky—but it quickly grew louder. The blonde girl was the first to speak again.
"Look at her, trying to act like she belongs here," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "She can't even do the simplest things. What were they thinking, hiring someone like her?"
The other maids snickered, their eyes gleaming with amusement. I felt my face flush with embarrassment, but I refused to let them see how much their words were affecting me. I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble.
But then, to my horror, I felt something cold and wet splashing against my clothes.
I gasped, looking down as dirty water from the sink splashed onto my lap. The blonde girl had thrown it, her laughter ringing out like nails on a chalkboard.
"Oops," she said with a mocking tone. "Guess I missed. My bad."
I sat there in stunned silence, my body drenched in the filthy water that had been splashed over me. The laughter from the other maids echoed around the room, sharp and mocking. I clenched my fists in my lap, helpless to do anything but endure the humiliation. My wheelchair had become a constant reminder of my helplessness, leaving me unable to escape or even stand up to their cruelty.
Just then, the door to the kitchen swung open, and Mrs. Marlowe, entered. Her eyes swept over the room, pausing for a moment on me, and then landing on the blonde girl who had thrown the water. A cold silence fell.
Mrs. Marlowe's eyes narrowed as she took in the scene. The laughter died down instantly.
"Liora," she said, referring to the blonde girl, her voice a steady command, "You will not be eating for the rest of the day. Perhaps hunger will teach you some manners."
Liora's face flushed with fury, but she remained silent, her shoulders stiffening as she stood there, refusing to argue. Mrs. Marlowe didn't give her a second glance before turning to me.
"Leona," she said, her tone softening just slightly. "Go change into something dry. When you're finished, return to help."
I nodded, feeling a flicker of gratitude for Mrs. Marlowe's intervention. It didn't erase the pain, but it made me feel like someone saw me for what I was—a person deserving of respect.


In my small room, I quickly stripped off the wet clothes and changed into something dry. The humiliation lingered, but I had no time to dwell on it. I had a job to do, and I couldn't afford to be distracted. I pushed my chair out the door and made my way back to the kitchen.



The atmosphere had shifted when I returned. The maids were all working quietly, the earlier tension hanging in the air. Mrs. Marlowe stood by the door, watching them closely. The other maids were busy cleaning and preparing, but Liora stood off to the side, arms crossed, her face twisted in barely concealed annoyance. She shot me a venomous look, but didn't say a word.
Mrs. Marlowe's sharp gaze turned toward me as I wheeled closer. "Alpha Zane and his guests are waiting. Go with the others and serve the meal."
I nodded, my stomach twisting. This was my chance to prove that I wasn't just a helpless burden. The maids, even Liora, gathered the platters, and we made our way to the dining hall.
The grand dining room was filled with guests, their conversations momentarily halted as we entered with the food. As we laid the dishes on the table, I felt their judging eyes on me. The other maids moved efficiently, but I couldn't shake the sensation that I didn't belong here. That something was wrong.
I tried to ignore the tension, focusing on my task. But just as I spun to leave, disaster struck.
"Cockroach!" A woman screamed, her finger pointing directly at the food I had served.
My heart sank.
"Who served this?" she demanded.
Before I could even react, Liora's voice rang out, and she pointed directly at me. "She did."