Chapter 68 Chapter 68
The sun rose slowly over the mansion, lighting up the wide compound. Birds sang around the garden, and the smell of fresh flowers filled the air. Inside the house, the maids were already busy sweeping, cleaning, and preparing breakfast for Cassandra and Nathaniel.
Two of the young maids, Mira and Stella, stood by the kitchen window, whispering while washing plates. Their eyes were wide and full of gossip.
“Mira,” Stella said in a low tone, looking around to make sure no one was close. “Did you see what I saw last night?”
Mira raised her brow. “What did you see?”
“I saw Madam Cassandra sneaking out,” Stella said quickly. “It was very late, maybe past eleven. She was wearing a red dress and high heels.”
Mira’s mouth opened a little. “Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure,” Stella whispered. “She even told the guard not to open the gate too loud. And she came back before morning. Her makeup was messed up.”
Mira dropped the plate in her hand, her eyes wide. “You mean she went out without telling Sir Nathaniel?”
“Yes,” Stella said, her voice shaking a bit. “And this morning, I heard her talking on the phone. She said something like, ‘Last night was perfect, I miss you already.’”
Mira covered her mouth. “Oh my God. If Sir Nathaniel finds out, she’s finished.”
They both stood there for a while, whispering and glancing toward the stairs. The house was big and quiet, but gossip always found a way to move faster than sound.
“I don’t like that woman,” Mira said finally. “She treats us like we are nothing. Always shouting, always pretending she’s better than everyone.”
Stella nodded quickly. “And Miss Vanessa is worse. Did you see how she slapped the maid yesterday? Just because a drink spilled on her dress.”
“Yes, I saw it,” Mira said, frowning. “They think money means manners. But one day, everything will turn around.”
As they talked, Vanessa walked into the kitchen wearing a short robe and holding a cup of coffee. Her eyes caught the two girls whispering.
“What are you talking about?” she asked sharply.
Both maids froze immediately. “Nothing, ma’am,” Mira said quickly. “We were just talking about the laundry.”
Vanessa’s lips curved into a small smile. “Laundry? Hmm.” She stepped closer, her tone full of mockery. “You two have time to gossip instead of working? Maybe you want me to tell Cassandra that you’re lazy.”
“No, ma’am!” they both said together.
Vanessa looked around the clean kitchen, then poured some coffee into the sink just to make a mess. “Clean that again,” she said coldly and walked out, her heels clicking on the tiles.
As soon as she left, Stella sighed deeply. “I hate that woman. She acts like she owns this house too.”
Mira looked toward the door carefully. “Keep your voice down. You want her to hear you?”
“I don’t care,” Stella muttered. “One day, her mouth will land her in trouble.”
Upstairs, Cassandra was still sleeping, her hair all over the pillow. She looked peaceful, but her mind was not. Her phone vibrated under the blanket. She reached for it and smiled when she saw the message.
It was from Marcus. “I miss you already, baby. Last night was fire.”
Cassandra smiled lazily and typed back, “I miss you too. I’ll find a way to see you again soon.”
She dropped the phone and yawned, stretching like a queen. “Everything is going according to plan,” she whispered to herself.
Just then, Nathaniel walked into the room. He was already dressed for work, his tie perfectly knotted. “You’re awake,” he said quietly.
Cassandra turned and smiled. “Good morning, darling. You’re leaving early again?”
He nodded. “I have a meeting with the board.”
She sat up on the bed, pretending to pout. “You work too much. You should rest sometimes.”
He smiled faintly. “I’ll rest when everything is done.”
Cassandra stood and walked toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’ll be waiting for you,” she said softly, pretending to care.
Nathaniel looked at her for a moment. Her perfume was still strong, her phone slightly hidden under the blanket. But he didn’t say anything.
“I’ll see you later,” he said and left the room.
Cassandra waited until she heard his car drive off before letting out a small laugh. She picked up her phone again and started texting Marcus.
Downstairs, Mira and Stella carried a tray of fruits to the dining table. They passed each other small looks as they arranged the plates.
“Did you hear her voice just now?” Mira whispered. “She was laughing on the phone again.”
Stella shook her head. “That woman has no fear. If the boss catches her, she’s finished.”
As they whispered, another maid entered and said in a low voice, “Be careful. Cassandra can hear everything. She once fired a maid just for looking at her wrongly.”
The maids went quiet immediately, but the curiosity was still burning inside them.
Later that afternoon, Cassandra came downstairs in a red gown. She looked proud, her lips painted bright. She called the maids together.
“All of you, listen carefully,” she said. “When Mr. Nathaniel comes home tonight, everything must be perfect. The table must shine. The wine must be cold. And no one should make any noise. If I see even one mistake, you’ll regret it.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they all said in one voice.
As Cassandra turned to leave, Stella whispered under her breath, “Witch.”
Cassandra stopped and turned sharply. “Who said that?”
Everyone looked down, silent.
Cassandra’s eyes narrowed. “Good. Keep quiet. That’s how I like it.” She walked away with her head high.
After she left, Mira whispered, “She thinks she owns the world. But God is watching.”
That evening, Nathaniel came home tired from work. Cassandra welcomed him with a smile and a kiss, acting sweet and calm. The maids watched from the kitchen, their hearts full of unspoken words.
To them, everything looked normal. But deep down, the house was already boiling with secrets, lies, and danger waiting to burst out.
The gossip that started small in the kitchen was already flying around the mansion — like smoke before fire.