Yvonne didn''t care. After breakfast, she prepared to take care of her own business.


    "Good morning, Ms. Jones," a maid said as she came out of the master bedroom, forgetting to lock the door behind her.


    "Jenny, the floor in my room is dirty. Could you clean it for me?" Yvonne asked.


    "Of course. I''ll go right now," Jenny replied, nodding eagerly. She was so flustered shepletely forgot about the unlocked door.


    Ever since Yvonne had sent Gina to prison, the household staff had treated her with a fearful respect.


    Once Jenny was gone, Yvonne pushed open the master bedroom door and slipped inside. She went straight to the bed, lifted the pillows, and after a brief search, found two short strands of George''s hair.


    She ced the hairs in a small bag she''d prepared. As she turned to leave, she found Joseph standing right behind her.


    The little brat stood with his hands on his hips, pointing a finger at her. "Yvonne, what are you doing sneaking into Mom and Dad''s room? Are you trying to steal something? I caught you! I''m going to tell them so they can beat you to―ouch, ouch, that hurts! Let go!"


    Before he could finish, Yvonne grabbed his ear and twisted, dragging him out of the room. "Listen here, you little punk, you better keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, I''ll beat you senseless, dump your body in the wilderness, and let the wild dogs chew you up until there''s not even a bone left."


    She continued to threaten him as she pulled him by the ear, running right into Jenny in the hallway. The maid had just finished cleaning Yvonne''s floor and remembered she''d forgotten to lock the master bedroom.


    "Ms. Jones, Mr. Joseph Spencer, why are youing out of the master and mistress''s room?" Jenny asked, startled.


    "This little brat snuck into his parents'' room to steal something, and I caught him," Yvonne exined, lying with a perfectly straight face. Jennyfer''s just keep this between us. No need to tell my parents; Joseph would only get a beating."


    "Oh, of course, Miss. Don''t worry, I won''t say a word," Jenny quickly agreed. It was her negligence that had allowed Joseph to get in, so she was more than happy to keep quiet.


    Jenny locked the door and hurried away, ignoring Joseph''s muffled protests.


    "Let go


    of


    me Yvonne! You little


    bitch, you''re the one who was stealing! How dare you me


    me-ah! Joseph''s tirade was met


    short as Yvonne delivered a sharp kick to his calf the paint brough tears to his eyes, and he finally fell silent.


    Qu


    That evening, the Spencer family gathered for dinner. The atmosphere at the table was quiet, broken only. by the soft elinking of Silverware. Joseph sat with his bowl, his mind clearly elsewhere. His eyes darted back and forth, constantlynding on George.


    "Why are you staring at me instead of eating? Did you get into trouble again today?" George asked, his face stern.


    "No, I didn''t!" Joseph shook his head like a rattle. He then asked tentatively, "Dad, when you went to your room just now, did you notice if anything was missing?"


    "No. Why?" George waspletely bewildered.


    Joseph was about to say more when Yvonne suddenly ced arge piece of meat in his bowl. "Eat up. You love this stew. I''m sure you haven''t had enough."


    Joseph met Yvonne''s sharp, menacing gaze and immediately deted. He lowered his head and focused on his food, not daring to utter another word.