Chapter 389

Erica's footsteps echoed nervously through the rose garden after ending the call with Evadne.

Her hands trembled. Never in her twenty years of service had she dared such treachery.

The mansion loomed before her like a gilded prison. She took a steadying breath and stepped inside.

Her heart stopped.

Thaddeus Kingsley stood in the grand foyer, his tailored suit cutting an imposing silhouette against the marble.

"Mr. Kingsley!"

The words tumbled out before she could stop herself. Sweat beaded on her brow as she approached the master of the house.

Though she'd polished every inch of this estate, she'd never directly addressed its owner. Yet today, desperation made her bold.

Thaddeus arched an aristocratic brow. "Yes?"

"I...that is..." Her tongue turned to lead. The damning words lodged in her throat.

"Speak freely." His voice held unexpected patience - a change she attributed to Evadne's influence.

Erica's nails bit into her palms. Should she reveal everything now? Expose Elspeth's murderous secret?

Would this powerful man believe a lowly maid over his own stepmother?

She edged closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "Sir, tonight I'm meeting Ms. Evadne at the Windsor Café. Could you—"

"Erica!" Glynnis's shriek shattered the moment.

Erica whirled to see her mistress glowering from the balcony, face twisted in suspicion.

Thaddeus noted the maid's sudden pallor. Interesting.

"Hurry up! My new wardrobe won't organize itself!" Glynnis snapped.

"Yes, Miss Prescott!" Erica bobbed a curtsy.

As she turned, Thaddeus stepped close enough for his cologne to sting her senses. "Gordon will contact you," he murmured. "Give him the location."

The maid's quarters felt like a sanctuary after Glynnis's chambers. Erica folded silk blouses with robotic precision while her mistress lounged like a pampered cat.

"What were you whispering about with my brother?" Glynnis swirled her merlot, eyes sharp as broken glass.

Erica kept her voice steady. "Mr. Kingsley requested a bottle of Château Lafite for his study."

"Liar." The wineglass hit the table with a crack. "My brother has staff for such errands. Unless..." A cruel smile curled her lips. "You think you can climb into his bed?"

Relief flooded Erica at the baseless accusation.

"Know this, servant." Glynnis leaned forward, venom dripping from each word. "Cross me, and you'll regret it."

"Yes, Miss Prescott."

"Good." Glynnis stretched like a satisfied predator. "I'm dining out tonight. Don't wait up."

Erica nearly dropped the Dior gown in her hands. Divine intervention!

"Consider this your night off." Glynnis waved a dismissive hand.

"Thank you, Miss Prescott."

The door hadn't fully closed before Glynnis snatched her phone. "Mother, I've set the trap."

Elspeth's voice turned glacial. "Explain."

"Erica's clearly working for someone. By giving her freedom tonight, we'll catch whoever's pulling her strings!"

"Idiot child!" Elspeth's roar made the phone vibrate. "The only enemies we have are Thaddeus and that Abernathy girl! What if she meets Evadne tonight?"

Glynnis's blood ran cold.

"Erica knows everything!" Elspeth hissed. "If she talks, we're finished!"

The wine turned to acid in Glynnis's stomach. Her brilliant plan now seemed monumentally stupid.

"Cancel your plans." Elspeth's command brooked no argument. "That maid doesn't leave this house alive."