chapter 32
“I can’t take this anymore!” Amabel screamed, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she sat on the edge of the bed, her teeth clenched in frustration.
Rowan stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Amabel’s tense form. She had been standing there for minutes, watching Amabel’s anger simmer just below the surface, but she had waited for the right moment to intervene.
“If only you’d listened to me,” Rowan said, her voice laced with a mix of concern and exasperation. “Things wouldn’t have escalated this far.”
Amabel’s gaze snapped up, her face etched with regret and guilt. “How was I supposed to know, Rowan?” She whispered, her voice barely audible. “Cressida was a master manipulator. She made her plan seem flawless, and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. I thought her tears and concern for Felix were genuine,”
Amabel’s voice cracked as she struggled to continue, the pain of her past interactions with Cressida still raw. “Her smiles, her reactions whenever I talked about Felix’s success…”
Her words trailed off, her self-recrimination too overwhelming to put into words.
“You should have given me more time to complete my assignment,” Rowan said. “If only you’d involved me earlier, before I dug into her background and past, things might not have spiraled out of control,”
Though Rowan didn’t intend to scold Amabel, her words still carried a subtle accusation. “Now she’s become a threat, questioning your authority after all she's done. She needs to be taken care of.”
Felix’s voice echoed through the room as he strode in, his footsteps heavy on the floor. “Exactly,” he agreed, his eyes locking onto Rowan’s. “You're right. Cressida needs to be dealt with. We can’t let her become an even bigger threat down the line,”
His voice rose with each word, his neck vein bulging with anger. “She won’t back down, so we need to teach her a lesson. She needs to understand that we're not to be trifled with,”
He paused, taking a deep breath as he modulated his tone. “Instead of dwelling on the past and placing blame, we should focus on our next move, Rowan,”
He grasped her hand tightly, his eyes burning with desperation as he stared into hers. “Please, Rowan. I know I've wronged you in the past, and I deeply regret every word I spoke to you. I'm truly sorry. Forgive me and help me,”
His voice cracked with emotion as he continued, “Share any information that can help me take down Cressida. She’s a far greater enemy than Alaric, and I’m terrified. I need your help or I'll lose to her, now and forever,”
He released her hands and clasped his own together, his palms rubbing nervously as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, though he struggled to hold them back. “Help me in any way you can,” he begged, his voice laced with desperation. “I've learned my lesson and will never ignore your advice again. Just help me. Please.”
Amabel stood beside him, her eyes fixed on Rowan. “Please, Rowan. You’re all I have left now,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Help me, and I’ll reward you greatly. I’ll give you anything you want.”
Rowan’s eyebrow arched in surprise at Amabel’s last words. “Anything I want?” She repeated, her tone incredulous.
Rowan had known Amabel since childhood, having moved in to serve her after her parents’ passing. For reasons unknown to her, Amabel had been supporting her. Years had passed, but this was the first time Amabel had shown such desperation and generosity, offering Rowan anything she desired.
Amabel nodded fervently. “Yes, I’ll do whatever you want if you can help me until Felix inherits everything.”
Rowan’s face lit up with a subtle smile, though she tried to contain her excitement. “No problem then,” she agreed, her smile growing brighter. “I’ll do everything I can to help,”
She turned to Felix, her expression turning serious. “Cressida’s become powerful, and the key to taking her down lies in your hands,” she stated. “I’ll come up with strategies, and your mother will support us in any way she can, but you’re the one who needs to take the lead,”
Felix and Amabel nodded in agreement as Rowan continued, “You’re the only one who can rival her in the business world. You need to seize every opportunity to undermine her, turn people against her, and get them on your side,”
“The goal is to make sure she has no allies when she needs them most. Plant seeds of hatred in the executives’ minds before she reaches them. Get to meetings before her and make her fail. She can't succeed in any endeavor.”
Amabel and Felix listened intently, nodding along as if Rowan’s words were law.
“She might not back down, but Chairman Dawson is a shrewd businessman. There's a limit to how much loss the organization or her supporters can bear, so eventually, he’ll command her to step down, rather than ask. Got it?”
Felix nodded in agreement. “Yes.”
Rowan turned her attention to Amabel. “That’s your part done. Now it’s time for your role to begin under this roof. Since Cressida won’t have peace of mind at the office, she’ll likely take it out on you at home. No peace for someone like her.”
Amabel’s voice was eager, seeking guidance. “What should I do? I’ve been affected by what I’ve seen from her. My mind is blank right now.”
Rowan’s plan was clear. “You need to make Cressida understand the difference—vast difference between your standing and hers in this house. You’re in control now, and we'll start by informing the maids and guards about the new rules,”
“You’ll need to address them, making it clear they’re no longer under Cressida's authority,” Rowan’s tone turned stern. “Anyone who chooses to associate with her or do her bidding will face consequences—they’ll lose their job. She starved you because she still had the power to give orders to the staff,”
“Let’s see how she reacts when you take that authority away from her.”
Amabel nodded. “That’s right…” she agreed. “I need to assemble the maids right away.”
“Yes, you should,” Rowan agreed. “And make sure to tell them to bar her from the kitchen from now on. Anyone who lets her in will face severe punishment.”
Amabel’s eyes lit up with determination as she nodded. “Thank you, Rowan,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Without another word, she turned and hurried out of the room, her footsteps echoing with purpose.
Rowan’s gaze lingered on the door, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she thought to herself, ‘let's see how this will end.’
Amabel lounged on the sofa, her legs crossed as she gazed down at the six maids and three guards assembled before her. They stood in two lines, their faces cast downward, awaiting her instructions. Amabel let the silence hang for minutes, deliberately creating an air of anticipation and fear. Finally, she exhaled softly and straightened her back.
“How are you all doing?” She asked, her voice gentle.
“Fine, ma!” They responded in unison.
Amabel sighed again and shifted her position. “You must be wondering why I’ve called you here today,” she said, pausing for a moment before continuing. “None of you has done anything wrong. This assembly is simply to clarify some new rules that everyone who wishes to continue working here must follow,”
As she rose from the sofa, her voice took on a firmer tone. “You may recall that about a week ago. I instructed you to follow Cressida’s orders, regardless of my presence. However, things have changed. From now on, you are no longer to obey her commands. You are forbidden from associating with her in any way,”
Her eyes swept across the room, her gaze stern. “You must not run errands for her or you will face termination. And if anyone is caught talking or smiling with her, they will be sanctioned and fined three months’ salary. Is that clear?”
“Yes, ma!” The staff responded in unison. Though they were confused and curious, they knew better than to question the person in charge. For now, they would comply, saving their questions and concerns for when they could gossip among themselves.
“Also, Cressida is no longer allowed to enter the kitchen. If I catch anyone on kitchen duty letting her in, there will be severe consequences—your employment will end immediately. Understood?”
The staff nodded in agreement, their faces still bowed and hands clasped together over their stomachs. “Okay, ma.” They replied.
Amabel nodded, observing them for a moment before asking, “Is there anyone here who would like a raise?”
Her offer sparked excitement, and all hands shot up. “I want a raise, ma!” They chimed in unison.
Amabel smiled, nodding. “Good. Whoever wants a raise—or should I say, compensation—will need to work for it. I have a special task for those who are interested, and it involves being my eyes and ears around here,”
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room. “In other words, I need spies,”
“I need you to keep tabs on her movements around the house, listen in on her conversations—whether in person or over the phone—and report back to me directly. Whoever provides valuable information will be rewarded accordingly.”
The staff nodded, taking in the instructions.
“Got it?” Amabel asked, and they responded in unison.
“Yes, ma'am.”
Just as Amabel was about to continue, Cressida’s loud scoff cut through the air, catching everyone off guard.
Amabel’s eyes widened in surprise as she turned toward Cressida, who was approaching her with a file in hand.
According to Rowan, Cressida wasn't supposed to be around, which was why Amabel had called the meeting in haste, not wanting her to overhear their conversation.
Cressida’s sudden appearance seemed almost calculated, and a smile spread across her face as she began to speak. “I shouldn’t be surprised you’d stoop this low,”
“Are you really gathering the staff to turn them against me?” Cressida asked, her voice laced with amusement. “You're willing to go to such lengths just to victimize me?”
“You-”
Amabel tried to interject, but Cressida talked over her, her words dripping with sarcasm. “Perhaps you don’t understand that the first masquerade to dance will ultimately end up watching others perform,” Cressida said, her eyes locked on Amabel's, a faint smile playing on her lips.
They engaged in an intense stare-down for nearly a minute, the air thick with tension.
Finally, Cressida smirked and broke the gaze, her eyes scanning the staff before she turned to face them fully. “You’ve played your part. Now watch as I show who'' truly superior,” she said, her confidence and authority radiating through the room.