Hearing this, the housekeeper felt as if she were being offered herst meal.
Her heart was in turmoil. The old hag had dropped the act.
“Ma... Madam, I just remembered I have something to take care of. We''re out of that healing tonic you like. Should I go pick some up?"
The old madam deliberately nced outside and smiled. “On a snowy day like this? It''s not like I absolutely must have that broth. Don''t go. Just have your breakfast here. I wouldn''t want anyone to think I''m working you to the bone. You''re not young anymore. If you take a fall, it could be hard to get back up."
"You''re old enough to know what''s at stake. Now go, eat. I''d hate for such avish meal to go to waste."
The housekeeper was at a loss for words.
Breakfast here was always excellent.
And what did she mean by ''hard to get back up after a fall''? Was that a veiled threat?
Growing more anxious, the housekeeper tried again. "Madam, it''s an emergency. My son was involved in a serious hit-and-run on his way to work. I have to get to the hospital."
The old madam looked regretful. "Well then, you should go. I had your favorite healing tonic prepared for you today. You usually end up with half of mine. Just look at your face, all radiant and glowing. Your skin is getting better and better."
She didn''t know how to respond to that.
Who was she insinuating was a thief?
She was just helping her out! The old madam could never finish it all, right?
She always left half a bowl, and it would just go to waste. That tonic was liquid gold.
It was a crime to let it go to waste, so she figured she was doing you a favor by finishing it.
That''s why she always served her half a bowl and kept the other half for herself.
"Madam, you make me sound like a thief. Why would I ever steal your broth?" The housekeeper''s face fell, her voice sharp with indignation.
Even if it was true, she would never admit to stealing it.
The old madam took a final sip of her broth and set down the spoon. She thought to herself that this broth was quite good. She would have Natalie take some home with herter. It was the best quality, after all.
Natalie should have more of it. It made one''s skin smooth and delicate, and the taste was truly excellent.
Only then did she look up at the housekeeper, her gaze turning cold. "Housekeeper, you know perfectly well whether you stole it or not. You used my money to buy a vi, to set up a savings ount for your son so he can live off the interest. Which part of that isn''t stealing?"
Herst sentence was suddenly stern and sharp.
The housekeeper''s eyes widened in shock. The old madam slowly rose to her feet.
She was thin, but her magnificent clothes gave her an imposing air.
"Housekeeper, have not been
unkind to you over the years. Why would you do this to me? ou stole millions in rare gems and heirlooms, sold it to buy your son a vi, and deposited millions more for him. The interest alone is enough to keep himfortable for life."
Realizing she had been discovered, the housekeeper dropped all pretense. "You old hag! I''ve spent years waiting on you hand and foot. What''s wrong with taking a little of your money?"
"You have one foot in the grave anyway. You don''t even use those things. After all the years I''ve served you, haven''t I earned some reward for my hard work?"
If she couldn''t even keep that, she would fight this old woman to the death.
The old madam had seen countless greedy people in her life. The housekeeper was nothing special in her eyes.
After all, the Griffith family had more than enough money.
She remained calm, her voice
steady. "Housekeeper, you are paid a sry for your work. You have no right to take anything from the Griffith family beyond that. We were too good to you, which made you bold. But it''s not toote to cut my losses. The vi you
ses. The vi you bought is in a good location. Not only did I not lose money, I actually made a profit. So, thank you!"