Chapter 428

Windermere Estate

The entire Sinclair household, staff included, was glued to their screens, watching the breaking news about Ward. Gasps echoed through the grand halls, whispers spreading like wildfire.

"That's Ward? Mrs. Sinclair's personal assistant?"

"Unbelievable! I knew he was trouble the second I laid eyes on him. Always had that slimy vibe."

"Oh, poor Erica! Such a kind soul, gone just like that..."

Tears welled in the servants' eyes, their quiet sobs filling the air.

"Elspeth is just as much to blame! How could she let a monster like that into this house? Does she think our lives are disposable?" one voice rang out, sharp with fury.

"You think the 'noble' ladies of this house see us as human?" A maid who'd been close to Enca scoffed. "Those two are worse than vipers. Enca suffered under them—called at all hours, bruises hidden under her sleeves. When I asked her about it, she just stayed silent."

"Disgusting! Elspeth and Glynnis are nothing but spoiled brats with foul mouths!"

Nods of agreement rippled through the crowd. The staff had long grown weary of the mother-daughter duo, but the Sinclair name held too much power to defy.

"Back when Mrs. Evadne Sinclair was married to Mr. Thaddeus, things were different. She treated us with respect, stood up for us. Now? If it weren't for the paycheck, I'd rather be scrubbing dumpsters!"

"Then go scrub dumpsters and stop whining!" A shrill voice cut through the murmurs like a blade.

Glynnis stood there, face flushed with rage, her designer heels clicking sharply against the marble as she stormed toward them. "What did you just say? Repeat it to my face!"

Silence.

"Pathetic! All bark, no bite!" Glynnis sneered, her lip curling. "You're nothing but lowborn servants, destined to grovel at our feet. Remember who signs your checks! One more word about Evadne, and I'll have your entire families thrown out of Elmsworth!"

"Since when do we need to grovel?" A young maid shot back, fire in her eyes. "We signed employment contracts, not slavery agreements! We're not your dogs!"

"How dare you?" Glynnis's face twisted, momentarily speechless.

"Mrs. Evadne Sinclair had class—inside and out. A thousand times the woman you'll ever be! You're just a rich brat with no manners. I quit!" The maid ripped off her name tag and hurled it at Glynnis.

"You vile little—!"

Glynnis lunged, her palm cracking against the maid's cheek.

The room erupted. Servants tore off their name tags in unison, a silent rebellion.

Glynnis staggered back, but her arrogance held firm. "You think this scares me? I'll have every last one of you arrested! Without the Sinclair name, you'll starve in the gutters!"

"Glynnis."

A single word, icy and authoritative, froze the room.

Everyone turned.

"Father?" Glynnis paled.

Frederic and Dennis stood behind her, their arrival unnoticed.

"What was that?" Frederic's voice was dangerously calm. "Did you just strike an employee?"

"Father, they insulted me! They disrespected Mother and me! Are you seriously taking their side?"

Frederic ignored her dramatics. "Is this how I raised you? To use your status as a weapon? To forget basic decency?"

Glynnis's chest heaved. "You're blaming me?"

The servants, sensing justice, began to disperse.

Frederic Sinclair, despite his flaws, had always treated his staff with dignity. That was the mark of true nobility—not wealth, but character.

"Windermere Estate runs smoothly because of your hard work. I won't let one incident drive you away. You're invaluable." His gaze shifted to Glynnis. "Apologize. Now."

Her jaw dropped. "You can't be serious!"

"No excuses. You will apologize."

Glynnis's face burned as she gritted out, "I'm... sorry."

The words tasted like ash.

Just then, the servants bowed in unison. "Miss Mari, good day!"

Frederic turned.

Jareth and Mari stood hand in hand, radiating newlywed bliss. Even Frederic couldn't deny the chemistry between them.

The way Jareth looked at Mari—it was the same devotion he'd once had for Cynthia.

"Is that Mr. Fairhaven? With Miss Mari?" The maids buzzed excitedly.

"Perfect match! He's handsome, wealthy, and heir to the Fairhaven Group. No one will dare bully Miss Mari now!"

Frederic's brow twitched at the last remark.

"Father," Mari murmured, her voice soft as always.

"Mr. Sinclair," Jareth greeted smoothly, lifting their joined hands. "Mari missed you. I couldn't say no."

Mari blushed, tucking herself against him.

Glynnis's jealousy burned like acid. She'd given up on Jareth after his public humiliation of her, but seeing her meek sister wrapped in his devotion? Unbearable.

"You look well, Mari," Frederic said, warmth seeping into his tone.

"I am. Jareth takes... excellent care of me." She nearly slipped and called him "honey," catching herself just in time.

Jareth smirked, whispering, "I liked the first version better."

Mari bit her lip, flustered.

"Thank you for looking after her, Jareth," Frederic said, tacitly approving their relationship. A union between the Sinclairs and Fairhavens? Ideal.

"My pleasure. In fact," Jareth's gaze darkened with possessiveness, "I plan to pamper her for the rest of our lives."

Frederic coughed, fighting a smile. Too soon to show full approval—Jareth hadn't even proposed yet.

The staff swooned. A wedding was clearly imminent.

Mari's eyes shimmered. "Jareth..."

"Mr. Sinclair, forgive the interruption," Jareth said smoothly. "But whatever Glynnis did, don't let it ruin your day. Thad mentioned you've been overworking yourself."

Glynnis trembled, her glare at Mari murderous.

Jareth's grip on Mari tightened.

This wasn't over.