Chapter 232

“I get it,” Lydia said, nodding. “So let’s not stand on ceremony. The milk seemed pretty great. Why don’t you have mine?”
She slid the cup in front of Grace.
Grace’s face went pale. She stared at Lydia, her heart racing. Did Lydia figure it out? No way. That couldn’t be possible.
“N-no, Miss, I couldn’t,” Grace stammered. “You work so hard every day at the company. You should have it while it’s still warm. I… I already had breakfast.”
Lydia’s smile only grew. “It’s just some milk. Sure, it’s not chicken soup or ginseng tea, but it’s supposed to be great for your health.”
“It’s okay, really. I already ate.” Grace was starting to panic. She was sure Lydia was doing this on purpose, but there was no way Lydia could have noticed anything. The powder she used had no color or taste.
Lydia got up from her seat and walked over. “What’s wrong, Grace? Is it because I just moved back home? You don’t even want to take a cup of milk from me now?”
“No, it’s not that. I really did have breakfast.”
“It’s just some milk. It won’t fill you up. Unless… is there something special about my soup?” Lydia said, stirring the milk with her straw as if she was thinking it over.
Grace realized there was no way out. Gritting her teeth, she took the cup from Lydia. “Thank you. I’ll drink it.”
She had a feeling Lydia knew something. If she didn’t drink it and Lydia started digging, things would get much worse than a cup of milk. She couldn’t leave any evidence behind.
Grace gulped down the milk in one go. Lydia’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “If I ever make something good again, I’ll definitely share it with you.”
Grace’s smile froze on her face. “Th-thanks, Miss. You two enjoy your breakfast. I’ll get back to work.”
She practically bolted from the room.
Lydia’s smile faded into something cold as she sat back down and finished her own breakfast.
Lucinda just stood there, completely confused about what had just happened. She didn’t get it until Lydia finished eating and left the room that’s when it hit her. Something was wrong. No, it was the milk that was wrong.
Oh no. Grace!
Lucinda rushed to the maid’s room to find her. “Grace? Open up!”
Inside, Grace was frantically calling someone, asking if there was an antidote. The
answer was no.
No antidote? Seriously?
“Grace? What’s going on? Open the door!”
bet
Grace shuffled over, scratching at her skin as the itching got worse by the second. The reaction
coming on so fast. Com
belongs
“I’m… I’m fine, Lucinda.”
“Just open the door. I need to ask you something.” Lucinda wanted to know if something was up with the milk.
Grace had no choice. She opened the door. Fınd the newest release on
“Lucinda?”
Lucinda took one look at Grace and screamed.
Oh my god! Grace’s face was covered in angry, red rashes, blotchy and terrifying.
Grace spun around, apologizing over and over. “I’m sorry, Lucinda. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Lucinda forced herself into the room and shut the door behind them. “Was it the milk?”
There was no hiding it anymore.
Grace nodded. “Yes, Lucinda. Lydia came back with that pretty face and took Connor away from you the moment she set foot in this house. I.
couldn’t stand seeing you sad all the time. I just… I wanted to ruin her face, to make Connor hate her. I never thought she’d catch on.”