Chapter 67 : Chapter 67
Chapter 67 : Sharpness? No, No One Cares
Vivian had no intention of getting up. Although she still felt somewhat embarrassed, if she really stood up, would that not expose her unwillingness to accept reality?
Tsk! Could this idiot stop moving her hands at a time like this?!
She turned her head and glared fiercely. From the angle hidden beneath the table, she twisted the offending hand once, successfully making it stop and change into a gentler touch instead.
Comfortable. Not overly stimulating either. But why did it feel like something shameful… almost like a secret affair?
After making Eve behave, Vivian resumed her usual aloof and cold expression and looked toward the Head Maid, who stood with lowered eyes.
“You saw it, so keep your mouth shut. Understood?”
“Understood, Miss.”
“Hmph. Good that you understand.” Vivian crossed her arms. The soft cushion beneath her made her relax again. “You have one minute to report. If I am not satisfied, you may take your [paid leave].”
Hearing this, Sylvia appeared calm on the surface, though inwardly tense, yet she still maintained her usual courteous smile.
“Reporting to Miss: Young Master Perry is requesting an audience downstairs. As before, he has brought an entire truck of imported roses, along with gifts of various sizes. The storage room is already… full.”
Vivian clicked her tongue, neither clearly satisfied nor dissatisfied—only extremely annoyed, resentment practically spilling out.
She did not want to see that face even once more. Just thinking about it made her feel sick. Thick-skinned like a fly feeding on rotten meat.
Yet due to the cooperation projects between the two families, that old man had specifically told her to go along with it and avoid conflict. His mind was filled only with profits, never considering her feelings.
Thinking of this, she waved her hand. “Tell him to go as far away as possible. I do not want to see—”
Her words halted. The white stocking around her foot was caught lightly by fingernails with a soft snap, making her raise her brows. She suddenly remembered the fool behind her still sneaking touches.
“You go. Tell him I am ill. Deal with it quickly and come back,” she urged Eve, her face slightly flushed.
This was a delaying tactic. If it continued, she might make an embarrassing sound… or worse.
She had to send this girl away first.
“Understood, Miss,” Eve agreed.
Then something neither Sylvia nor Vivian expected happened. The white-haired maid was considerate—so considerate that Vivian did not even need to stand up.
Her hands slid beneath the thighs, carefully avoiding the hips, lifting the red-haired girl in a seated posture while standing herself, and then gently placing her onto the chair.
From beginning to end, Vivian had not reacted. She had suddenly been treated like a child, and only when the blush spread to her ears did she recover.
When the sound of the door closing came, she realized she was alone in the study.
Her fists clenched and struck the desk with a bang as she muttered to the air in embarrassment, “I really have to control that idiot…”
……
Scene change.
Sylvia closed the door, took several deep breaths, and only after a few seconds turned to face the white-haired maid waiting.
“Eve…”
“Hmm?” Eve tilted her head slightly.
Sylvia did not speak immediately. Instead, she firmly patted Eve’s shoulders twice, tears glimmering in her eyes with relief, and said earnestly, “I knew it. You truly would not disappoint me!”
“…What do you mean?”
No explanation was necessary; everything was in the tears. Making the Young Miss happy was their duty, so… the burden would be entrusted to Eve!
Work hard—within half a month, aim to be together by New Year’s!
Such a promising youth. She patted Eve twice more, leaving Eve confused. A single-threaded mind struggling with encrypted messages was understandable.
Without waiting for a response, Sylvia calmed herself and then noticed the collar around Eve’s neck.
Th-this had already progressed this far?!
Would the next step be calling her Eve… Hatherin?
“Ahem… let us go handle the visitor. The Miss entrusted it to you as her Personal Maid, so perform well.”
As she walked she added, “Although Young Master Perry is… difficult to evaluate, making him retreat does not mean we must lower ourselves.”
“Understood,” Eve replied calmly.
They descended the stairs to the first floor. The reception room was located on the eastern side of the main house. Through the arched windows the Back Garden could be seen, where a young man in a dark blue suit currently stood.
Nock Perry, second son of the Perry Family. He had visited Morninglight Manor many times under the pretext of gifting flowers—this was already the sixteenth visit. Persistent, yet merely self-moved.
He stood with his back to the door, tapping the window frame impatiently. Hearing the door open, he turned immediately, forming what he believed to be a charming smile, though it stiffened upon seeing them.
He quickly recovered, his gaze passing Sylvia and landing directly on the white-haired maid. “And this is?”
Sylvia performed an elegant curtsy. “Young Master Perry, this is the Young Miss’s Personal Maid, Eve.”
“The Miss is ill and not receiving visitors today,” Eve added concisely, never lowering her gaze.
“Ill?” Nock raised a brow.
His eyes lingered on Eve—the white hair, crimson eyes, tall figure, and delicate features.
When had such a remarkable servant appeared here? Someone of this appearance should have caught his attention long ago.
However, that was not the purpose of today’s visit.
A roguish smile curved his lips. “In that case, should I not visit Vivian even more? One needs company when sick.”
“The Miss requires rest,” Eve replied evenly. “Thank you for Young Master Perry’s concern, but she cannot meet guests today.”
His smile faded. He disliked being refused—especially by a mere maid.
“What was your name? Eve, right?” He stepped forward.
“As a maid, you should understand hospitality. I came personally from afar yet cannot even see the master. Is this the Hatherin Family’s etiquette?”
Eve remained unmoving. “Allowing illness to spread to a guest would be the true discourtesy.”
Nock narrowed his eyes in surprise. The maid neither lowered her head nor yielded.
“Interesting.” He attempted to pass her. “But I doubt Vivian would mind my visit. Our families are close; she will not object to such a small matter.”
Eve shifted sideways, blocking his path. “The Miss instructs Young Master Perry to visit another day.”
The air instantly froze.
Nock’s face darkened. All his life he had been elevated and praised; never had a servant dared obstruct him like this. His displeasure was evident.
“You are quite bold,” he said in a low, threatening voice. “A maid dares block me? Do you know who I am?”