?Chapter 287:


    Lowering her voice, Ailie muttered, “Had you not been roaming around at this hour, I wouldn’t have raised my voice. When Elyse was here, she never woke anyone during the night.”


    Ailie’s affection for Elyse clouded her judgment, making her forget her responsibilities. She was only a servant in the Harper family, not a figure of authority.


    Elena sneered. “If you’re so fond of Elyse, perhaps you should consider joining her.”


    Ailie’s head jerked up, her eyes widening in shock and anxiety. She had no desire to move to Vince’s household. Jolie treated the staff well, and her wages were notably higher than what Vince offered. With the Harper men often away at work, their main responsibility was to look after Jolie, who was kind and easygoing—unlike Samira, who was notoriously difficult to please.


    In every way, living and working in Jolie’s household was much more appealing than in Vince’s. Despite her grievances, Ailie wasn’t willing to risk her position, but she felt unsettled. Her resentment toward Elena only deepened.


    “You can’t just fire me on a whim,” she said forcefully. “I’ve been here for more than ten years. I cooked for your brothers, and not once did they ever think of firing me! Who are you to tell me I should leave?”


    The more she spoke, the more justified she felt. None of Elena’s brothers had ever considered letting her go, so why should she fear Elena, who had only recently returned? Her anxiety faded, reced by a sense of boldness.


    She even began to lecture Elena. “I’ve been with the Harper family for years, longer than you, yet you fail to show me any respect. Where are your manners as a young—”


    Caught up in her scolding, she didn’t notice someone was watching her from nearby.


    Louis, a night owl, leaned casually against the staircase railing with his hands in his pockets, looking downstairs.


    “Oh, we can’t fire you, Ailie? Is that so?” he asked, his voiceced with subtle undertones, drifting down to the first floor.


    Ailie’s head jerked up, her earlier confidence fading into silence.


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    Louis began making his way down the stairs. When Ailie met his intense gaze, she quickly looked away, her tone bing more respectful. “Mr. Harper, what brings you downstairs?”


    Louis’s eyes briefly met Elena’s, who remainedposed, then shifted his focus back to Ailie.


    “If I hadn’te downstairs, how would I have known you dared to speak to my sister in such an arrogant manner?” he asked.


    Startled, Ailie’s boldness vanished. She fumbled for words. “Well, I…”


    “Ailie,” Louis interrupted sternly. “In this house, there is only one Miss Harper, and that is Elena. It’s not your ce to judge her actions. The Harper family stands by her, always. Do you understand?”


    Ailie’s cheeks flushed a deep red.


    “What is happening here?” Alexander’s deep,manding voice echoed.


    Alexander entered, dressed in dark blue silk pajamas, supporting Jolie, who was wrapped in a shawl.


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