Chapter 16 Staff’s Quarters
Fritshed
Sitting in his wheelchair, Emyr wore gold–rimmed glasses, making his sharp, chiseled features appear even more striking. He was dressed in a deep blue silk robe, giving him a more relaxed and elegant air than when Charmaine had seen him before.
But Charmaine knew better. This man was like a beast azily licking its claws, biding his time. One wrong move and he’d go for her throat.
Meeting his cold, piercing gaze, Charinaine kept her expression carnest, even friendly.
“I believe in the saying, “The morning sets the tone for the day! A morning visit might disrupt your positive start and cast a shadow over your whole day. I wouldn’t want to do that, so I’ll come by now.”
Everyone present, including Tad, collectively sucked in their breath.
Ms. Nelson was bold! She was brave enough to tease the tiger in its den!
Emyr’s gaze slowly moved from her confident smile down to the delicate, pale line of her neck. His thin lips curved into a dangerous smirk.
“I’d really love to strangle such a considerate Ms. Nelson.”
Charmaine didn’t flinch, her smile unbroken, showing not the slightest hint of fear.
The tension between them hung in the air, thick and heavy as if an invisible battle of wills was underway.
Emyr was the first to break eye contact, shifting his gaze away. “Well, since you’re so eager to stay here, fine, suit yourself.
“Alfred, take her to the staff’s quarters.”
Charmaine frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Emyr’s lips curled slightly, almost in a mocking smile. You may have been the honored Ms. Nelson when you were still engaged to me, but now that you’ve severed ties with the Nelsons, our engagement is void. What makes you think you’re entitled to be a guest in the Cross family?”
His eyes suddenly narrowed, the pressure of his imposing aura crashing down on her like a wave.
Charmaine’s smile slowly faded.
Emyr seemed pleased with her reaction. “If you’re not happy, you can leave. No one’s stopping you.”
Alfred looked at Emyr, too afraid of his fury to say anything on Charmaine’s behalf.
Then he glanced at Charmaine, worried that she might storm off in a fit of anger.
After a long pause, Charmaine’s lips moved.
“Alfred, take me to the staff’s quarters.”
The air froze for several seconds.
He gave her one last scathing look, his face dark with irritation, then turned his wheelchair and went. upstairs without another word.
Alfred let out a long sigh of relief and quickly signaled the staff to prepare a new room.
“Ms. Nelson, Mr. Emyr may seem cold on the outside, but he has a soft heart. Right now, there are some misunderstandings between you two, but I’m sure, with time, Mr. Emyr will see your good intentions.”
Charmaine smiled faintly after hearing Alfred speak in Emyr’s defense.
“I know exactly what kind of man he is.“.
Her tone was layered with meaning.
Alfred instinctively glanced at Charmaine beside him. Her delicate features were calm, but her eyes were clouded with something enigmatic, making her hard to read.
“Ms. Nelson, have you known Mr. Emyr for a long time?” Alfred asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Instead of answering, Charmaine responded with a question of her own, “Aren’t you worried I might be up to no good, trying to get close to Emyr with bad intentions?”
Alfred gave a soft sigh. “Before the accident, all kinds of women tried to get close to Mr. Emyr. But now … that’s no longer the case.”
There was a faint sadness in his tone as if he couldn’t quite hide his disappointment over how things had changed.
Charmaine paused, then said, “He’ll be fine.”
Alfred turned to her, surprised by the unwavering conviction on her face. Her confidence stirred
something in him, igniting a flicker of hope deep within his heart.
Perhaps it was fate, he thought… Ms. Nelson was destined to be the light that would save Mr. Emyr.
Alfred led Charmaine to the so–called “staff’s quarters.” She glanced around the room. It was far larger and more luxurious than the room she had stayed in at the Nelsons‘.
Was the Nelson family just that stingy, or was the Cross family simply this extravagant?
Alfred coughed awkwardly. “The staff’s quarters were full, so we had to temporarily repurpose a guest
room.”
Charmaine couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you, Alfred
“You’re too kind, Ms. Nelson. Please rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll start your ‘work‘ at 7 AM.”
“Got it,” she replied with a nod.
Back at the Nelson household, everyone was busy comforting Leah, worried that she might fall into guilt and melancholy.
Leah had been upset‘ all evening and had finally declined Olympia’s offer to stay with her for the night. Once the door closed behind her, the carefully maintained sorrow on Leah’s face crumbled.
She could no longer keep up the act. She pulled out her phone and initiated a video call.
On the other end, her biological parents, Bennett Read and Sophie Blanton were lounging in bed, counting the gifts they had received that evening. When they saw their precious daughter, the “golden goose,” calling, their faces lit up with excitement.
“Leah, do you know how many gifts we received tonight? Over two million dollars‘ worth!”
