Chapter 7 - The Price of Silence
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"What is the meaning of this commotion?" Evelyn asked, descending the stairs slowly, her hand gripping the mahogany banister.
Vanessa’s face changed instantly. The rage evaporated, replaced by wide, tear-filled eyes and a trembling lip.
"Oh, Evelyn! I'm so sorry to disturb your rest," Vanessa sobbed softly, putting a hand to her chest. "It was an accident! Poor Teresa tripped and spilled wine on the rug. I tried to tell her it was alright, but the cook started yelling at me! I was so frightened!"
Teresa opened her mouth to defend herself, but Adrian subtly placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, silencing her.
Evelyn looked at the spilled wine, then at Teresa's pale face, and finally at Adrian. A sharp glint passed through Evelyn's eyes—a glint that Adrian recognized as his mother’s sharp business intellect.
"It is just a rug, Vanessa," Evelyn said mildly. "Teresa has served this family for twenty-five years. She is like family to us. Clean it up as best as you can, Teresa, dear."
Vanessa’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. "Of course... family. How sweet."
Later that evening, while Evelyn was resting in her suite, Vanessa cornered Adrian in the butler's pantry. She slammed the door shut behind her.
"You think you're clever, don't you?" she whispered, pulling a thick envelope of cash from her designer handbag and shoving it toward his chest.
Adrian looked down at the money, then up at her face. "What is this?"
"Five thousand dollars," Vanessa said coldly. "Consider it a tip. In exchange, you keep your mouth shut about everything you see or hear in this house. And more importantly, I want you to tell me what Evelyn says about me when I'm not in the room."
Adrian looked at the stack of hundred-dollar bills. "You're bribing the cook?"
"I'm managing my assets," she corrected sharply. "You're a servant, Adrian. You live on scraps. Take the money, do your job, and help me become the mistress of this estate. If you play your cards right, I'll double your salary when Adrian Mercer puts a ring on my finger."
Adrian picked up the envelope, balanced it on his hand, and then calmly dropped it straight into the sink, turning on the garbage disposal.
The cash was shredded into green powder in seconds.
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Vanessa stared in absolute horror. "Are you out of your mind?!"
"My silence isn't for sale, Miss Hale," Adrian said softly, leaning down so his eyes were level with hers. "And trust me—you don't have enough money to buy what I know."
