Chapter 47: POISON IN PEARLS
"If someone can’t do their job well, they deserve to be fired," Treadwell said coldly, his tone firm like a gavel striking down.
"But why are you asking us this?" Willy asked, puzzled.
Abby gave a small sigh, her eyes flicking away. "Oh, never mind. I don’t want to bother you with my complaints again. You said you were tired. Maybe next time." She smiled lightly, but the glint in her eyes betrayed her real intention.
The three men perked up immediately. They were known in the estate for their appetite for gossip, and Abby knew exactly how to bait them.
"Eh? No no, Mrs. Peterson, you can’t stop halfway. If you start, you must finish," Timothy insisted eagerly.
Abby didn’t reply, only turned to look at the woman beside her. May stepped forward, her expression calm yet full of hidden thorns.
"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself properly. I’m Maybelline Willard... the mother of your new mistress. The wife of Mr. Osvaldo Adkins."
"You mean... Mrs. Adkins?" Willy’s eyes widened in disbelief. Now that he looked closely, he could see it, the nose, the eyes, this woman really was Penny’s mother. She looked so much like Penny.
All three men quickly bowed.
"Welcome, beautiful Mrs. Willard. It’s an honor to meet the mother of our mistress," they said together.
But May’s lips curled into a smile that never reached her eyes. That greeting? She hated it. Hated being tied to that cursed, useless, fat girl.