Chapter 44

But this time, Anastasia wasn’t bluffing. After her notebook was taken by Penelope and the flowers were secretly swapped out by May, how could she possibly feel at ease in her own room without installing a security camera?
She pulled out her phone, tapped the screen a few times, and brought up a surveillance video.
The footage clearly showed that she had only touched the box once-from the moment she’d just taken it down.
May’s face drained of color, her legs buckling beneath her.
Given her reaction, it was obvious to everyone who had really broken the item.
Lady’s expression turned thunderous. “Unbelievable! You dare to frame your mistress? Where did you ever get that kind of nerve?”
May collapsed to the floor, sobbing, “Lady, Mr. Lancaster, I’m sorry! I was wrong!”
At the same time, she instinctively glanced at Alice for help, only to see shock and fury written all over her friend’s face. “May, I thought we were close-I even spoke up for you just now! How could you do something like this?”
May froze, her heart turning cold. She wanted to retort, Wasn’t it your idea? But when she met Alice’s warning glare, the words died in her throat.
No-she couldn’t drag Alice down with her. Alice was Mary’s daughter, and if Mary pleaded with Lady, Alice would walk away unscathed. If May tried to implicate her, she’d get nothing but trouble-and likely revenge.
May had no choice but to choke back Alice’s name and continue pleading. “Lady, Mr. Lancaster, it was just a moment of weakness
Lady’s brows arched sharply. “And a moment of weakness is all it takes to frame your employer?”
“I didn’t mean for things to go so far! It was madam-she was the one who made things impossible for me!” Chapters fırst released on.net
Anastasia’s eyes narrowed. “And when exactly did I make things impossible for you?”
May wept pitifully. “All I did was take a few of Madam’s flowers, and she made a huge scene, threatened to throw me out! If Mary hadn’t begged on my behalf, I’d be gone already. But Madam still docked my pay for months
“Lady, please have some mercy. My father’s disabled, my mother’s gravely ill, and my little brother is about to start school-my whole family relies on my salary and bonuses to survive!”
“It was just a few wilted flowers! Even if I hadn’t touched them, Madam would’ve tossed them in the trash in a day or two. But for that, she took away the money my family desperately needs
Around them, the other staff couldn’t help but look on with sympathy, and even Lady’s demeanor softened, her gaze turning disapprovingly toward Anastasia.
As the new mistress of Rosewood Manor, of course she needed to establish her authority-but was it really necessary to make such a spectacle out of something so minor? Was she being too harsh?
The maids began to think, Maybe the new lady of the house really is heartless…
Seeing their reactions, May covered her face, quietly curling her lips in a hidden smile.
But in the eye of the storm, Anastasia remained unruffled. She opened her mouth to speak, but Harrison’s voice cut through the tension.
“The flowers I gave you-someone stole them?”
Anastasia blinked, turning to find Harrison watching her with a furrowed brow and a dark, unreadable gaze. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She hadn’t expected him to care about something so trivial, and the warmth in her chest surprised her. “She only took half of them,” she replied softly. “I handled it myself, and didn’t want to bother you. You’ve already got so much on your plate.” Her gentle words softened the atmosphere, causing those nearby to waver.
Harrison’s elegant hand, resting idly on the armrest, curled ever so slightly. His next glance at May was as cold as frost. “Given what you’ve done, Madam only docked your pay for a few months. That’s already far too lenient.”
May, desperate, turned to Lady, still in tears. “Lady, please