Chapter 36 Celine’s POV

Chapter 36 Celine’s POV
Some people believed patience was a virtue.
  I believed patience was a weapon.
  And tonight, I was about to use it.
  For weeks, I had watched the same irritating pattern repeat itself in this house. Sebastian’s attention drifting toward that girl. That maid. Lily. The way people whispered about her bravery, the quiet way she had calmed Sebastian when he had lost control, the way the other staff praised her as if she had suddenly become some kind of hero.
  It was ridiculous.
  Even Victoria had begun losing control over it. I had seen the frustration in her eyes, the anger that flashed whenever Sebastian spoke Lily’s name or when the others whispered about her deeds. Victoria was proud, ambitious, and stubborn, but sometimes she lacked subtlety.
  That was where I came in.
  If Lily wanted to climb higher in this house, then I would make sure she fell from that height just as quickly.
  I could not accept a mere maid surpassing my friend, obtaining admiration, and receiving Sebastian’s attention. No. Never. That was impossible. I would not allow it.
  An idea struck my mind like lightning.
  I asked my servant to find me a maid who would do anything for money—a desperate girl from a poor family, someone easily manipulated. After some searching, we settled on Nina.
  A girl like her could be bought. Money would make her obedient, pliable. Offer her $2,000, and she would follow my instructions without hesitation.
  “Call her in,” I instructed my servant, and they immediately went to fetch Nina.
  I explained the plan to her in detail. As expected, she agreed immediately. Her eyes lit up when she saw the money. She swore she would do it perfectly.
  I stood quietly near the back corridor, observing. Nina approached, trembling slightly even before she spoke.
  “Miss Celine,” she whispered nervously, glancing around as if the walls had ears. “Are you sure this will work?”
  I smiled slowly, letting a trace of malice creep into my expression.
  “It will work perfectly,” I said, my voice calm, almost soothing.
  Her hands twisted together anxiously.
  “But what if Mr. Sebastian finds out?”
  I leaned closer, lowering my voice so only she could hear.
  “He won’t. And don’t even think about backing down now. Have you forgotten that you swore to do exactly as I said? You took my money. If you stop now, you will pay double.”
  Her breathing became uneven, shallow. Fear was working in my favor.
  “And even if he did,” I continued softly, “do you think he would believe a maid over his own household staff?”
  Nina hesitated, and that hesitation told me everything. Fear. Fear was the easiest thing in the world to control.
  “You just have to do one thing,” I whispered. “Go into his office and steal his Rolex watch.”
  Her eyes widened instantly.
  “The watch? That’s very expensive!”
  “Exactly,” I said, smiling. “And after you take it… you will place it somewhere very specific.”
  Nina swallowed nervously.
  “Where?”
  “Lily’s bag,” I said.
  Her eyes widened even further, disbelief and fear mixing in a dangerous cocktail.
  “But… she didn’t steal it,” she stammered.
  “That’s the point,” I replied calmly. “You are creating the illusion. That illusion will be enough.”
  Nina hesitated again, doubt flickering in her eyes. For a moment, I thought she might refuse. But I had one final weapon.
  I leaned in, letting my voice drop to a whisper only she could hear.
  “Do this, and your brother’s hospital bills will be taken care of. Every last one of them.”
  Her head snapped up. Conflict flickered across her face for a brief second. Then, like a switch, it disappeared. Money solved so many moral problems.
  “…Alright,” she whispered.
  I nodded, satisfaction washing over me.
  “Good. Now we just need Lily to leave Sebastian’s office at the right moment. That part will be simple.”
  And indeed, it was. Victoria handled it perfectly. I watched from a distance as she approached Lily near the office door, speaking urgently and gesturing toward the hallway as if something important had happened. Lily, too polite to refuse, followed her obediently.
  Perfect.
  I turned to Nina.
  “Now.”
  The girl moved quickly, her steps shaky but determined. She disappeared into Sebastian’s office like a shadow, and I folded my arms, watching patiently. The hallway was unnaturally quiet, every second stretching like an eternity.
  Thirty seconds later, Nina rushed back out, pale and sweating.
  “It’s done,” she whispered.
  “And?” I prompted.
  “I put it in her bag… like you said.”
  I nodded slowly, a smile curling on my lips.
  “Good. Now for the final step—the exposure. A trap is meaningless unless someone triggers it.”
  A few minutes later, Lily returned, walking back toward her room without noticing anything unusual. Her movements were calm, polite, and unaware. She retrieved her bag, the perfect opening I had been waiting for.
  When she pulled out the watch, her eyes widened in shock. She looked around nervously, clearly trying to understand how it had gotten there. I could see her mind racing, questions forming in every direction.
  And that was my cue.
  I gave Nina a subtle nod. She stepped forward, her voice trembling but loud enough for everyone in the hallway to hear.
  “THIEF!”
  The word exploded through the corridor.
  Within seconds, the entire household reacted. Servants rushed toward the noise, their faces a mixture of anger, confusion, and judgment.
  “What happened?” “Who’s a thief?” “Why is she stealing from Mr. Sebastian?”
  Nina pointed directly at Lily.
  “She stole it from Mr. Sebastian’s office!”
  Gasps rippled through the hallway. Someone snatched Lily’s bag and pulled out the Rolex. The evidence was undeniable—or so it seemed.
  Lily froze, her eyes wide.
  “That’s not mine!” she exclaimed, voice rising in panic. “I didn’t take it!”
  But the servants were already furious.
  “How dare you!” shouted one. “After everything Mr. Sebastian has done for you!”
  “You ungrateful girl!” hissed another.
  One of the older maids even raised her hand as if to strike Lily.
  But before anyone could, a deep, commanding voice cut through the chaos.
  “Stop.”
  Everyone froze. The hallway went silent, anticipation thick in the air.
  Sebastian had arrived.
  His eyes were sharp, moving from the angry staff… to the watch in their hands… and finally resting on Lily. His expression was calm, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it—a subtle threat that made even the boldest servants hesitate.
  The room held its breath.
  Sebastian stepped forward, his voice steady yet filled with authority.
  “No one touches her.”
  The raised hand fell immediately. Whispers faded. The tension was palpable.
  “Wait until I return,” he added, directing the staff to stand down.
  Then, turning his piercing gaze to Lily, he said firmly, “She is my secretary.”
  The words hung in the air, a protective shield around her. No one dared move. No one dared speak.
  And from my shadowed vantage point, I smiled quietly.
  I had done everything perfectly.
  The trap was set.
  Now all that remained was watching how Sebastian would react—and anticipating the chaos that would follow.
  Victoria had been instructed to feed the flames subtly, Sebastian’s mother would hear rumors, and the household would buzz with suspicion. Every piece was in place.
  All that was left was to sit back and watch the dominoes fall.