Chapter 12

"Ma'am, everyone's here," Alfred said respectfully as he stopped in front of Leslie. Broderick had left clear instructions-whenever he wasn't home, Leslie was in charge. And everyone had better listen. Facing the crowd, Alfred added, "This is Mrs. Ackerley. From now on, her words carry the same weight as the young master's. Understand?" "Got it." Leslie yawned behind her hand, her eyes misting up slightly from tiredness. But the moment she stood, something shifted. Her whole vibe changed. When she wasn't smiling, she had this cool, slightly intimidating aura. Her beautiful doe-eyes swept over everyone calmly, yet somehow it felt heavy-oppressive even. Like the air got thick in seconds. What kind of sorcery was this? Her gaze felt sharp, almost physical. A faint smirk curved on her lips, seductive but with a warning. "Who's handling the kitchen and meals?" A woman in her forties stepped forward. "Ma'am, me and Chloe take care of the meals." "Ma'am, I handle Mr. Ackerley's tea with Bianca," said another maid, stepping up. Leslie's eyes casually scanned the two-Bianca and Jasmine. Then she turned to Alfred. "Alfred, have them leave. I don't like them. With names like 'Jasmine' and 'Bianca'? What is this? Trying to be his side chicks? I'll make Broderick's tea myself from now on." Bianca and Jasmine both jerked their heads up to look at her. Jasmine's eyes flashed sharply with resentment. "Ma'am, what did we do wrong? Why chase us out?" "You didn't do anything. I'm just in a bad mood today and seeing you annoys me. That's reason enough. What? You mad about it? Too bad. I'm unreasonable like that. Broderick said I run this house. Can't I fire two people I don't like? Alfred, what are you waiting for?" Alfred nodded and quickly had someone calculate their final paychecks and escort them out. Then Leslie's eyes slid to another maid. "You. Yeah, you. What's with that look? You got a problem with me? Want to stand up for them? Great, you can leave too. Alfred, her too." The rest of the staff instantly dropped their gazes, not daring to meet her eyes. So it's true-the spoiled third daughter of the Green family from Windmere was no joke. Leslie walked down the steps with a lazy sort of grace, but no one dared to exhale too loudly. She really did it. Four people gone, just like that. "Alfred, who is this one? Wearing perfume on duty? Seriously?" She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Get rid of her too." "You have no right, Leslie! I've been doing a good job! What-perfume's illegal now?" Suddenly-smack! The loud slap echoed, freezing the room. Isabella Farrow's cheek turned red in an instant. Leslie hadn't held back; Isabella nearly lost her balance from the force. Clutching her face, Isabella shot Leslie a poisonous glare. Leslie stared back, cold and unimpressed. She was well aware that Isabella, despite being a socialite, had snuck into Starcrest Manor pretending to be a maid. And she knew perfectly well what her real goal was-crawling into Broderick's bed. In her past life, Isabella had done everything she could to mess with Leslie. One time, she even showed up acting all shaken, body covered in bite marks and scratches. Came right up to her, trembling. "Le... Leslie... what do I do? Last night... Broderick, he... he lost control and forced himself on me..." Leslie's rage exploded instantly. She stormed off to confront Broderick. He denied even touching Isabella, but by then her mind was already made up. She didn't believe a word.