Chapter 82

Mary’s face was thunderous with anger. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the
Alice was her daughter-how could she bear to let anything happen to her?
“Alice didn’t really take anything. Just have her apologize to Madam and let’s be done with it,” she said, her voice sharp as she turned her lined face to her daughter. “Alice, apologize to Madam. Now.”
Alice looked humiliated, her lips barely moving. I’m sorry.”
Anastasia nearly rolled her eyes. Who was Alice trying to fool with that half- hearted apology? She didn’t want to say it, and honestly, Anastasia didn’t want to hear it.
Did they really think a simple “sorry” could sweep this under the rug? How convenient for them.
“If I remember right, Mary, you once said anyone caught in serious wrongdoing would be thrown out, didn’t you?” Anastasia’s voice was cold as steel. “Alice opened my drawer. Isn’t that serious enough? Not to mention, just the price of my phone alone is enough to call the police.”
At this, both Mary and Alice’s faces blanched.
Mary’s tone turned threatening. “Madam, sometimes it’s best to show mercy. Don’t make me take this matter to Lady Margaret.”
Anastasia almost laughed. She hadn’t done anything wrong-what did she have to fear? What made Mary so certain Lady Margaret would side with Alice in a situation like this?
She picked up her phone. “Go ahead. Or shall I call Grandma myself?”
Mary faltered, lost for words.
Anastasia’s expression hardened. She set her phone down on the table with a decisive thud. “Mary, you set those rules. Don’t forget them now.”
She turned to Alice, her voice firm. “Go pack your things. I don’t want to see you at dinner tonight.”
Then she looked at the two maids standing nearby. “That goes for you two as well. Mary, make sure they get their wages settled.”
The maids panicked. “Madam, we truly haven’t done anything-!”
Alice stomped her foot, furious. “You have no right to throw me out! Mr. Lancaster owns Rosewood Manor. Who are you to decide anything?”
Anastasia gave a cold, derisive laugh. “I’m the lady of Rosewood Manor, Mr. Lancaster’s wife. Isn’t that qualification enough? Unless you’re royalty and I somehow missed the memo? Because as far as I recall, Mr. Lancaster said you’re just a maid here.”
Alice’s face turned scarlet, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. “Enough. Go pack your things,” Anastasia said icily to all three.
Her gaze swept over the other servants, who stood silent and wide-eyed. Anastasia’s voice cut through the room like ice. “I’ll say this once, so listen closely if you work at Rosewood Manor, know your place. Mind your words. If anyone can’t remember that, then you know where the door is. We don’t keep people here who don’t respect the rules.”
Everyone understood—she was talking about those who’d gossiped along with Alice before. The servants all bowed their heads, hardly daring to breathe.
Even Mary didn’t seem to intimidate the new mistress, and she was tossing Alice out without a second thought. What chance did anyone else have?
Anyone who’d looked down on Anastasia before now knew better.
Satisfied, Anastasia concluded, “That’s enough. Get back to work.”
The servants scattered as if granted a royal pardon.
Alice stormed back to her room.
“Mom, I’m not leaving! Anastasia has no right to throw me out!”
If she left Rosewood Manor, how would she ever get close to Mr. Lancaster?
Mary’s face was dark as storm clouds. She tried to soothe her daughter. “Don’t worry. I’ll call Lady Margaret right now. There’s no way Anastasia will be so high and mighty in front of her.”
Seeing Alice’s still-swollen cheek, Mary gave a cold snort. “Don’t bother with the ointment. Since she dared to hit you, why were you too scared to show Lady Margaret?”