Chapter 127. Game Time
Even as Mrs. Spencer greeted Maria with a warm smile, she couldn’t bring herself to reply. The shock rooted her in place. Seeing Mrs. Spencer standing beside Mr. Frederick felt unreal, like something out of a dream—or a nightmare. Her eyes darted between them in disbelief.
Mr. Frederick noticed her stunned silence and spoke first. "Maria, I know you’re shocked and surprised for a lot of reasons. But don’t worry. We’ll explain everything. You’ll see that it’s all for your good," he said gently, a reassuring smile on his face.
Maria slowly lowered her gaze, signaling her willingness to listen. Still, her mind raced.
"Okay, sir," she said, her voice tight. "Why am I here? What exactly is going on, and what plans are you carrying out right now?"
Mrs. Spencer and Mr. Frederick exchanged a glance before settling down across from her on the couch.
"Maria," Mrs. Spencer began, her voice calm but firm, "you trust Frederick, and that’s why you agreed to work with him. I must say you made the right decision. You need your freedom back, and to get it, we had to create a big distraction for the Gilberts. While they’re focused elsewhere, we can work quietly to get you out from under their control and give you a better life."
Mr. Frederick leaned forward. "We decided to work with someone the Gilberts consider their greatest enemy. You might see him as your enemy too, but he’s the one who can truly challenge their power."
Maria blinked, uncertain. Her stomach twisted with unease.
"Who?" she asked.
"Elijah Simons," Mr. Frederick said simply.
The moment the name left his lips, Maria flinched as if struck. Rage surged through her. She stood abruptly, dropping the staff of the office onto the couch beside her.
"What are you talking about?" she snapped. "He nearly killed me! I barely survived that day, and only because of Mrs. Spencer. And now you want me to believe he’s the one who can help me?"