Hera raised an eyebrow, ncing subtly at Dave, who was watching the scene unfold with pursed lips, clearly displeased.


    The maid, however, misread the situation, assuming Dave’s frustration was directed at Hera for her physical response.


    After all, Dave had neverid a hand on anyone, and his mother despised those who relied on brute force, believing it to be disgraceful and a stain on their family’s reputation.


    Seeing Dave’s reaction, the maid’s sobbing intensified. "Master Dave, please, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to spill the wine. I swear, but... I’ll ept any punishment."


    She paused dramatically, her voice trembling, then pursed her lips before slowly turning her gaze back to Hera.


    Her face twisted into a pained wince, as though Hera had just tightened her grip on her wrist, even though nothing had changed.


    After her long day, Hera quickly lost interest in ying the maid’s mind games.


    She already saw through the attempt to create a wedge between her and Dave, and the maid’s motivations—whether jealousy or misced loyalty—felt irrelevant.


    It wasn’t Hera’s ce to intervene or discipline Dave’s staff.


    This was his home, his responsibility, and whatever the maid’s reason, it was up to him to uncover and handle it.


    Hera released the maid’s wrist, but to her surprise, the maid dramatically copsed to the floor as if she’d been violently shoved.


    It was a clear ploy to make it seem like Hera had aggressively acted out because the maid stole Dave’s attention away from her.


    Hera’s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to do anything but stare at the theatrics unfolding before her.


    <i>’I thought I was a good actress, but this maid is on a whole different level!’</i> Hera mused, her inner determination to sharpen her acting skills suddenly reigniting.


    Despite the thoughts swirling in her mind, her eyes remained fixed on the maid, wide with a mixture of confusion and surprise, reflecting the absurdity of the situation.


    The butler was taken aback when he saw the maid copse to the ground, her dramatic disy escting the situation.


    Without hesitation, he rushed over to support her, his face clouded with a mix of concern and confusion.


    As he nced at Hera, his expression turned conflicted, his eyes silently questioning her actions.


    ’<i>Did she really have to be so ruthless, especially after the maid had already apologized for what seemed like an innocent mistake?’</i>


    The butler nced back at Dave, expecting him to step in and defend his servant.


    After all, she had been working in the Chateau for years, and the staff had always been loyal and trustworthy.


    In the butler’s mind, Dave knew their character well enough to stand up for them, especially against an outsider, even if that outsider happened to be a guest.


    Yet, Dave remained rooted in ce, his brow furrowed as he surveyed the scene before him.


    The maid, sensing his hesitation, sobbed even more dramatically, hoping to draw him back to reality.


    She believed he was still in shock, struggling to reconcile the fact that the woman he was interested in might be snobbish—and perhaps even a gold digger who was unreasonable.


    "It’s okay, Butler Seb. Hic! I’m so sorry, miss," the maid sobbed, her voice trembling as she struggled to catch her breath between hups.


    Hera took a deep breath, casting a nce at Dave and giving a nonchnt shrug. Only then did Dave finally spring into action.


    "Butler Sebastian," Dave’s voice resonated with a low, intimidating tone that made both the butler and the maid stiffen.


    They nced up at him, and in that moment, the maid’s act of sobbing faltered.


    Tears still streamed down her cheeks as she stared nkly at Dave, an uneasy sensation creeping into her chest, causing her face to pale gradually.


    "I’ve always prided myself on being a fair judge, extending generosity to my servants and subordinates," Dave said, his tone calm yetced with an underlying tension.


    "So, I never imagined a day woulde when my special guest would be disrespected in my own home and framed in such a manner."


    Hisposed demeanor only heightened their anxiety, particrly for the maid who had orchestrated this stunt against Hera.


    "M-Master, I’m not trying to disrespect your guest," Butler Seb stammered, defending himself. It never crossed his mind that the maid had acted with intention.


    "Is that so?" Dave replied, a mocking smirk curling his lips as he stepped closer to where the maid and the butler were.


    He crouched down to meet the maid’s gaze, his eyes locking onto hers.


    In another time, she would have felt ted to be this close to him, basking in his attention.


    But now, all she could feel was fear and regret. Dave’s anger radiated from him, coiling around her like a snake, tightening its grip around her throat.


    Her breath hitched as she locked eyes with Dave, feeling her throat go dry.


    She wanted to defend herself, to weave some excuse, but the intensity of his gaze rendered her speechless.


    It was as if he could see right through her, discerning any falsehood before it even crossed her lips.


    Dave didn’t need to utter another word; hismanding presence, honed over years of dealing with foreign leaders, was enough to shatter the maid’s resolve.


    Within moments, she crumpled to the floor like a lifeless doll, her defiance extinguished. "I-I’m sorry, Master..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.


    After a moment’s hesitation, she finally met Dave’s gaze again, her eyes now brimming with unfiltered love.


    "I just can’t ept that a gold digger hase all this way to seduce you. She doesn’t deserve you." Her words dripped with venom as she spoke through gritted teeth, a mixture of hatred and deep affectioncing her tone.


    She then shot Hera a re that seemed to wish for nothing less than to stab her with a thousand knives.