Chapter 161 The Scent of a Woman's Perfume

"Miss, why are you staying with us? What's up with that?" Ondine asked, her smile bright.

Mabel's face flushed. "I—"

"There was an unexpected situation, so she'll be here for a few days. Ondine, prepare a room for her," Abigail cut in, noticing Mabel's discomfort.

"Sure thing. Miss, is the room you had last time okay?"

"Anything's fine, thank you."

Mabel forced a smile, but inside she was boiling.

There were rooms available on the second floor, yet they put her in the farthest room on the first floor. Were they treating her like a servant?

"Alright then, I'll go tidy up. But I noticed you didn't bring any luggage. Should I pick up some new things for you?"

Ondine's words seemed caring, but each one hit Mabel's sore spots.

Did they think she was a beggar?

She gave a weak smile. "I'll go back and get my things."

"Ondine, go ahead and prepare the room," Abigail urged.

"On it. Miss Peterson, what do you want for dinner tonight? I'll start cooking soon."

Abigail thought for a moment and looked at Edward and Mabel.

Edward didn't have any particular preferences, so he shook his head.

Just as Abigail was about to ask Mabel, Ondine interjected, "Then I'll prepare your favorite."

Ondine went to prepare the room, and Abigail gave Mabel an apologetic look.

Mabel pressed her lips into a smile, pretending not to mind.

"Abigail, you should go upstairs and change," Edward suddenly said.

Abigail nodded, said goodbye to Mabel, and headed to the walk-in closet.

Edward followed her.

Abigail turned to close the door and saw him coming in. She pushed him out. "I need to change."

"So do I," Edward said matter-of-factly.

"Then I'll wait. You go first." Abigail stepped aside to let Edward in.

As she was about to leave the closet, Edward suddenly reached out and pulled her back in, closing the door behind them.

Outside, Mabel was eavesdropping like a thief, her face growing redder and beads of sweat forming on her nose.

"Miss Simpson, what are you doing?" Murray appeared like a ghost, his voice cold.

Mabel quickly straightened up. "I—I came to call Mr. Harrison and Abigail for dinner, but it seems like no one's here."

She pretended to knock on the door. "Abigail? Mr. Harrison? Are you there? It's time for dinner."

"Miss Simpson, I believe I told you last time not to come to the second floor without permission."

"Murray, I really just came to call them for dinner. I didn't mean anything else. Please don't misunderstand me, I—"

Mabel squeezed out a couple of tears.

Murray's face remained stern and unmoved.

"Miss Simpson, please go downstairs and wait. This is your final warning. Do not come to the second floor lightly. You will disturb them."

Mabel cried and promised, "I understand. I won't do it again."

She rushed downstairs, her tears falling to the floor with a "plop."

Murray glanced at the mess coldly.

"Why are you crying? You're dirtying the floor."

He thought about calling a servant to clean up but decided against it, not wanting to disturb Mr. Harrison and Miss Peterson.

Mabel sat in the first-floor living room, her hair falling over her face, hiding the changing emotions in her eyes.

She realized that Murray and Ondine were in cahoots, treating her like an enemy.

To achieve her goal, Mabel knew she had to get rid of Murray and Ondine first.

But both Murray and Ondine had been around forever. Other servants said they had been serving since Edward lived with William, so they wouldn't be easy to deal with.

Maybe she could find a way to win them over?

That wouldn't be easy either.

Mabel was deep in thought and didn't notice Edward and Abigail coming downstairs.

"Mabel, dinner's ready," Abigail called.

Mabel looked up and instinctively flashed a bright smile. "Okay, I'm coming."

After dinner, Abigail got a call from Violette, and they arranged to meet over the weekend.

As Abigail put down her phone, she noticed Mabel staring at her.

She found it amusing. "What's up? Do I have something on my face?"

"Abigail, who was that? Are you going shopping this weekend?" Mabel blinked, probing.

"A friend I met at a party," Abigail replied with a smile.

"Must be someone important. Can I come along?"

Abigail hesitated.

For the first time, she felt Mabel was being a bit rude.

"Abigail, I don't mean to intrude. I just want to catch a ride with you to pick up some clothes from home."

Abigail's expression softened. "Of course, that's fine. It's on the way."

"Thank you, Abigail. I might just fall in love with you."

Mabel's sweet talk quickly made Abigail forget the earlier awkwardness.

Abigail had to rush to finish a design project, so she didn't spend much time with Mabel and went to her study to work.

Mabel tried to strike up a conversation with Edward, but he ignored her and went into the study as well.

Left outside, Mabel was so angry her nose almost twisted.

She took a deep breath.

No matter, one day, Edward would be hers!

She was confident. Adjusting her expression, she walked around the mansion like she owned the place, catching the attention of several bodyguards.

Mabel felt offended but held it in.

One day, she would...

In a nearby mansion in Beverly Hills, Gabrielle was sweating with anxiety.

Today was the last day. Where was the Star Project proposal?

Stuart walked in, and Gabrielle, too tense to notice his odd demeanor, didn't see his concern.

But Stuart immediately saw she was troubled.

"Did Yvette contact you?" Stuart hit the nail on the head, and Gabrielle's heart skipped a beat.

Gabrielle stammered, unwilling to say more. Stuart didn't press her, changed his shoes, and headed upstairs.

Gabrielle thought for a moment and followed him.

"Stuart, I—I really don't know what to do. She gave me an ultimatum. If I don't get it done, she'll make me pay."

She showed Stuart the threatening messages from Yvette on her phone, including a blurry video.

A woman was being held down by a man, crying hysterically.

Gabrielle had watched the video countless times, her freshly done nails now scratched.

"What should I do, Stuart? I'm so scared she'll do to me what she did to that woman in the video."

Gabrielle threw herself into Stuart's arms, sobbing.

"Stuart, you have to help me. You're my only hope!"

"Ignore her."

Gabrielle looked up, tears still on her face. "Really? But Yvette keeps calling and coming to the office. I'm so scared."

"I'll arrange a meeting with her and make things clear."

Gabrielle smiled through her tears. "Stuart, I love you so much. You're so good to me!"

As she buried her face in Stuart's chest, she suddenly froze.

That scent was so unfamiliar!

It was a woman's perfume!