Chapter 3 - The Mask of an Angel
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At ten o'clock the following morning, the deep hum of a Bentley engine echoed up the long estate driveway.
Vanessa, dressed in a soft pink linen dress that screamed understated elegance, sprinted toward the foyer. The harsh, arrogant woman who had berated the housemaids an hour earlier instantly vanished. In her place stood a warm, glowing, picture-perfect socialite.
"Evelyn, darling!" Vanessa cried out, throwing her arms gently around Evelyn Mercer as the older woman stepped through the mahogany front doors.
"Oh, Vanessa, sweetheart," Evelyn smiled warmly, patting her back. "Look at you, looking as lovely as ever. Where is Adrian? He told me he might be here by noon."
"He called earlier," Vanessa lied smoothly, placing a gentle hand on Evelyn’s arm. "He said he was tied up in emergency board meetings in New York. Poor man works far too hard. But don't worry, I’ve been keeping the staff on their toes and making sure the house is running smoothly for your arrival."
Standing near the hallway archway with a tray of fresh iced tea, Adrian observed the performance.
Vanessa turned her gaze toward him. For a fraction of a second, her eyes flashed with pure disdain. Then, looking back at Evelyn, her voice softened into pure honey.
"Oh, cook!" Vanessa called out gently. "Could you bring that tea over to the patio? Mrs. Mercer must be exhausted after her drive."
"Right away, ma'am," Adrian replied, keeping his head bowed appropriately.
As he poured the tea on the sunny patio, Evelyn looked up at him, frowning slightly. She narrowed her eyes, studying his facial structure under the chef's cap.
"You know..." Evelyn began slowly, staring at Adrian's profile. "You look remarkably familiar. Have you worked for our family before?"
Adrian froze for a split second, holding the glass pitcher steady.
Before he could answer, Vanessa let out a airy, melodious laugh. "Oh, Evelyn, you know how these domestic staffing agencies hire! They all look so standard in those uniforms. Cook, that will be all. Please make sure the dinner menu is light tonight. Mrs. Mercer watches her sodium."
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Adrian bowed. "Understood, Miss Hale."
As he walked away, he heard Vanessa whisper, "Honestly, Evelyn, good help is so hard to find these days. He's a bit slow, but his knife skills are decent."
