Chapter 122
Seraphine's POV
Quinlan didn't call again, and I had no idea how she was going to salvage that partnership. But her not bothering me meant I could enjoy some peace and quiet.
I stayed in the hospital for observation for two days until the toxins were completely cleared from my system before being discharged.
When I returned to the villa, the atmosphere at home had completely changed.
The new servants were all very warm and respectful when they saw me, each coming over to greet me.
"Ms. Whitaker, you're back?"
"Ms. Whitaker, welcome home."
Their eyes showed a mix of respect and sincerity.
I nodded slightly and smiled at them. "Are you settling in okay here? Is the work too tiring?"
As I was chatting with the servants, I saw Amara and Brielle coming downstairs.
When the servants spotted them, they nodded politely in greeting.
"Mrs. Whitaker."
"Ms. Brielle Whitaker."
They were clearly less enthusiastic than before, more distant, as if afraid of getting involved with them in any way beyond their necessary duties.
Amara's expression darkened instantly. Looking at the servants, her eyes grew increasingly dissatisfied. "Seraphine, you're back. Are these all servants you hired? There are so many of them! Five or six more than before!"
Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, trying to make sure I noticed her displeasure.
I looked at her with a half-smile. "So what? It's not your money. I'm using my own salary to hire these servants. Is there a problem?"
Before Amara could respond, I raised an eyebrow. "From Mom's tone, it sounds like you really don't want them here. Actually, I didn't want to replace the servants either. But the previous ones were disloyal and did disgusting things, so I had no choice but to replace them, right?"
Amara's expression froze.
"Come to think of it, weren't those people hired by you, Mom?" I winked at her.
Amara glared at me angrily but was speechless. She snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Brielle also shot me a fierce look before following to comfort Amara.
Neither of them dared to provoke me after that.
The servants went about their work efficiently, quickly cleaning the house until it was spotless—even more capable than the previous servants.
That evening when Heath came home from work, he sat at the dining table and said with a smile, "Seraphine really is amazing. The servants you hired are so good at their jobs. The house seems much brighter than before."
Amara's mouth twitched when she heard this.
I looked up at her.
Heath's words were actually a slap in her face.
She'd been the lady of the Whitaker family for so many years, yet had never truly earned anyone's genuine respect.
The previous servants had repeatedly made mistakes under her watch, even going so far as to poison someone. Heath obviously couldn't trust her people anymore.
Brielle finally couldn't hold back. She put down her knife and fork and immediately complained, "Dad, these servants aren't good at all. They have no manners. They're warm and attentive to Seraphine but barely acknowledge Mom and me. Seraphine must have said something in private to make them exclude us!"
As she spoke, her eyes reddened with grievance as she looked at Heath.
In the past, Heath would have definitely said something to me, telling me to be more mindful of the situation, or directly scolded the servants for treating their employers differently.
But this time, Heath didn't react that way.
He frowned and snapped at Brielle, "What are you talking about? Seraphine just got out of the hospital and is still weak. What's wrong with the servants taking extra care of her? As for you—did you visit her even once while she was hospitalized? Did you call her? And now you're here stirring up trouble!"
Brielle was stunned by his harsh scolding. "Dad, how can you say that? I'm your daughter!"
Amara couldn't hold back either and quickly put down her utensils, trying to smooth things over with a smile. "Heath, Brielle is young and doesn't understand. She just feels left out and uncomfortable. She didn't mean any harm."
"Being young is an excuse?" Heath snorted coldly, looking Brielle up and down. "She's not that much younger than Seraphine. When Seraphine was her age, she was already working independently at the company. Look at Brielle—what can she do besides cause trouble? You've spoiled her rotten. She has no sense of propriety!"
His words were harsh, mocking both mother and daughter at once.
Amara's face instantly turned pale.
Brielle was so humiliated and angry, she couldn't eat anymore and went straight upstairs.
The dinner ended on a sour note.
I couldn't be bothered to care.
Heath growing distant from them was a good thing. At least it would help him handle the huge blow that was coming.
After dinner, Heath and I were in the study discussing project matters.
Suddenly, both our phones rang at the same time with urgent calls from the company.
We exchanged glances, and he signaled for us to answer simultaneously.
The person on the other end reported the same thing to both of us.
The Capulet Group has unilaterally issued a notice announcing the termination of all ongoing cooperation projects with the Whitaker Group.
Octavius would unilaterally bear the penalty fees. His attitude was very firm.
I held my phone, having already anticipated this.
Since Octavius had chosen to ally with the Powell family through marriage and fully support the Powell Group, it was only a matter of time before he completely severed all ties with the Whitaker Group.
But hearing it firsthand still caught me off guard.
Octavius wasn't just keeping me at arm's length anymore, nor was it just those verbal warnings he always gave.
He was truly and completely preparing to deal with the Whitaker Group, cutting all ties completely.
Just as Octavius had said—if I didn't leave the Whitaker Group, he would choose to stand on the opposite side and become my enemy.
I felt a bit disappointed, but also increasingly determined.
Fine. This way I wouldn't have to feel any more reluctance or hesitation, wouldn't have to consider Octavius anymore.
Whatever happened, I'd deal with it as it came.
But Heath wasn't as calm. He slammed his palm on the desk in anger. "I had a feeling he would distance himself from the Whitaker Group, but I didn't expect Octavius to be so ruthless! Is he trying to completely burn bridges with us?"
Seeing his face turn iron-blue instantly, I said softly to comfort him, "Dad, don't worry."
Only then did Heath look up at me, trying to suppress his anger. "He's made up his mind. The Whitaker Group is facing a formidable opponent this time!"
I frowned slightly, and before I could speak, Heath quickly reassured me, as if afraid of discouraging me, "The Whitaker Group can still handle this loss!"
He was trying to comfort me, no longer reacting like before—panicking and only focusing on the company's interests the moment he heard about any losses.
Visibly, he was caring more and more about me.
After something like this happened and the Whitaker Group suffered losses, Heath's first reaction was actually to comfort me, not to make me figure out a solution.
"Dad, we're not the only ones losing out." I steadied myself. "They're unilaterally terminating the partnership early. The upfront investment and penalty fees aren't small amounts either."
I paused here. "Even though we're not on good terms now, I still want to talk to Octavius in person and try to salvage things to avoid losses."