It wasn''t easy for Susanna to finally have someone back by her side, and she wasn''t about to let Ronald dictate the terms.


    ...


    Meanwhile, downstairs.


    Hull sat at the dining table, looking a bit displeased. He nced at one of the maids. "Go, call her down for dinner."


    This maid was the one responsible for the kitchen.


    When Hull instructed her to fetch Susanna for dinner, she couldn''t help but recall what Ss had warned her about earlier.


    A bit apprehensive, she said, "But sir, Ss mentioned that I''m not allowed on the second floor."


    Because of this rule, breakfast that morning had been reheated more than once. Susanna wouldn''te down, and neither would Hull; it made meal prep a real challenge.


    Hearing this, Hull''s expression hardened. "Go."


    His sudden change in tone startled the maid, and she quickly nodded. "Yes, sir."


    After all, you listen to whoever signs your paycheck, but when the master speaks, you really can''t ignore it.


    The maid hurried upstairs to call Susanna.


    Meanwhile, in her room, Susanna nced at the clock, contemting calling Ste.


    Ever since she found out that the previous head of ck Gate was also named Lacey, her mind had been in turmoil.


    Lost in her thoughts...


    A knock on the door pulled her back to reality.


    The unexpected sound made her jump.


    Ss had brought in some heavy furniture, and she couldn''t move it an inch. The only thing standing between her and Hull was the flimsy lock on her door.


    "Who is it?" Susanna swallowed nervously.


    The maid''s voice came from the other side. "Miss, the gentleman asks you toe down for dinner."


    Susanna hesitated.


    Weren''t the maids not supposed toe upstairs?


    Well, it seemed Hull called the shots around here.


    "I''m not hungry," Susanna replied.


    If Hull wanted her downstairs, she wasn''t going. She and Star


    had already discussed it-avoid Hull whenever possible to any more irreversible disasters,


    Thinking about all the trouble she''d caused around Hull, Susanna couldn''t help but cringe at herself.


    She never expected she could be so clumsy!


    In those moments of chaos, her body and hands seemed to act on their own,


    "But sir didn''t seem very happy."


    Susanna paused.


    That was even more reason to stay put.


    Hull


    good day. When he was upset? That was a whole different level of scary.


    outimidating enough on a


    Taking a deep breath, Susanna insisted, "I''m really not hungry."


    The maid didn''t press further and left.


    Susanna thought she''d dodged the bullet, ssuming Hull wouldn''t


    bother


    . ol


    After all, someone of his stature wouldn''t stoop to such things.


    But not even five minutester...


    There was a deep voice outside her door. "Come out."


    Hearing him, Susanna tensed up again.


    This time, she didn''t dare defy him.


    Reluctantly, she opened the door, looking up cautiously like a quail into Hull''s icy gaze.


    In an instant, her eyes dropped. "I-I-I''m really not hungry."


    Before she could do anything else, Hull''s hand was under her chin, tilting her face


    up.


    Caught in his gaze, Susanna found it impossible to look away.


    "Let me go," she murmured.


    Hull''s eyes bore into hers. "Avoiding me?"


    Susanna gulped. Uh... avoiding might be the smart move here!


    "I-I''m not," she stammered.


    Despite the fear tightening her chest, she couldn''t bring herself to admit it outright.