Chapter 10

A faint, cold smile flickered in Mildred's eyes. "Susan, you were the one who placed the ledger in Pippa's room, so how could I have forged it?" Susan anxiously snapped back, "You threatened to tell the Gingers that I pocketed kickbacks, and that's the only reason I agreed to do it!" "Exactly. So if you tell me off to Kieran, can't I just expose you anyway?" Mildred smiled. "You—" "My requests are simple, Susan. You're the head of Ginger residence's kitchen and always the first to know what everyone eats, what's bought, and what's on the dining table. "As long as whatever you hear reaches my ears, I promise no one will threaten your job here. Whether you skim a little has nothing to do with me." Susan let her guard down slightly. "But why'd you do that?" Mildred's smile didn't waver. "I just got here, and I don't want people pushing me around however they please, so I got rid of Pippa. I don't want people scheming behind my back either, so I'm asking for your help to keep an eye out. That's all." Pippa had worked for the Gingers for decades and was aware of how Tamara had been targeting Mildred these past few days. The latter's words quickly convinced her. "As long as you keep your word, Ms. Mildred, I agree. I know how to pick my battles." Mildred ladled herself a bowl of warm mushroom soup and smiled. "Thank you, Susan." That harmless smile put Susan a little more at ease. Mildred was just a poor child who'd grown up in the slums and wished to protect herself, so no way she could actually stir up trouble. … Mildred had just finished breakfast when Arthur arrived. "Mildred! Mildred!" he shouted her name so loudly she worried he might pass out from breathlessness. "What are you doing here?" "Kieran invited us over for dinner, didn't he?" "It's barely eight in the morning," Mildred said, glancing at the clock. But Arthur just grinned. "I came early since I haven't been here in ages. If I'd known that you were the Ginger family's daughter, I'd have come long ago. "Look what I brought you!" He produced a box from behind his back. The moment he opened it, the diamond necklace inside nearly blinded her. "It's for you. Do you like it?" "No." Mildred rejected him without a blink. But Arthur didn't mind at all. "What do you like then? Tell me, and I'll get it for you." Just then, a car pulled up outside the door. Nox helped Tamara into the living room, only for the two of them to freeze when they saw Arthur there at such an ungodly hour. Across the hall, Kieran's door clicked open, and Tamara immediately lunged forward to clamp both hands around Arthur's. "Arthur, I know the broken engagement was my fault, so hate me if you must. But please tell me where I can find that miracle doctor who healed you. Where are they?" She coughed delicately for effect. Coupled with her pale face and frail posture, it was the perfect helpless damsel act. Arthur cast Mildred a quick glance. "After I met Dr. Miracle, I promised never to reveal anything about them." Tamara had tears in her eyes as she murmured, "You've got it all wrong about the broken engagement. I wanted to marry you, but the engagement was always meant for Mildred, and I couldn't possibly steal what's hers. Please don't get mad at me." "Why would I be mad? I never wanted to marry you anyway, so calling it off was a relief." Arthur blinked. "What…" Tamara's face flushed with humiliation. He dead seriously continued, "You've always sniveled instead of speaking straight and pulled Pearl into your schemes. I used to think that if I just died early, at least I wouldn't have to marry you." Even Mildred blinked. Damn, the sickly Arthur had a sharp tongue! Tamara swayed on her feet and nearly fainted all over again. Beside her, Nox snapped, "Watch your mouth, Arthur! She's precious to us!" "Wait, isn't Mildred the real daughter? If anyone gets to be precious, it's her, right? What the hell is going on in this house?" "Enough." Kieran finally spoke up and wheeled himself forward. "Arthur, we're all glad you're well. But you came awfully early, and we haven't started preparing for the family dinner." "No problem. I'm here for Mildred," Arthur said, waving dismissively. "Mildred?" Kieran's gaze sharpened. "Yeah! Mildred and I…" he met Mildred's icy stare and quickly corrected himself. "...got along right away! When I saw her at the banquet last night, I immediately felt lighter and healthier. She must be my lucky star!" Tamara's fingers wrangled around her shirt in rage, noting the subtle undertone in his words that she was just a jinx. What trick did Mildred pull to make him switch sides so fast? Just then, a maid rushed over and reported. "Mr. Kieran, the Sheppard family's car just pulled up outside." Tamara's eyes lit up. "Is it Dorian?" The maid nodded. "Yes. Mr. Sheppard said he'd arranged to pick up Ms. Mildred this morning." Hearing that, Tamara turned to shoot Mildred a venomous glare. Fuck! "Oh, right, we did make plans. I'll head out then," Mildred announced before heading out the door. Outside, the black Maybach gleamed under the bright morning sun. Dressed in all black, Dorian leaned against the car, exuding an air of elegance and restraint. "Good morning." Mildred nodded slightly. "Where shall we talk?" "Since you've had breakfast, what about coffee?" "Sure." Tamara staggered out the front door, just in time to see Dorian opening the door for Mildred and holding one hand out to shield her from knocking her head against the roof. Then, he guided her in. "Dorian!" The sharp note in her voice made him pause, and he turned around, looking visibly displeased. "Yes?" "Why are you here for Mildred?" she asked with tears brimming in her eyes. His eyes flashed with a cold glint as he replied, "My affairs don't concern strangers." He turned toward his car, and as if a thought crossed his mind, added, "Also, address me as Mr. Sheppard. I'm not accustomed to strangers calling me by my name." As the Maybach pulled away, leaving Tamara standing under the bright sun with tears streaming down her cheeks. When Arthur rushed out, her sobs escalated into wails. "Arthur…" she called out, desperate for a few words of relief. "Quick! Get the car, now! I've got to follow them and make sure Dorian doesn't pick on Mildred!" He dove into his car like a gust of wind and swiftly sped off. In the yard, Nox stared after the cars, looking visibly baffled. "This is insane. There wasn't anything special about the banquet last night, so why are they suddenly all fixated on Mildred? What's so great about her anyway?" Kieran's gaze was dark as he commented, "Exactly… Seems like Mildred might be worth more than we thought…" "What's that?" A warm, gentle smile resurfaced on Kieran's face. "Invite Mr. Sheppard to tonight's dinner too." Nox sighed. "Are you doing this for Mildred or Tamara? You can see as plain as day Tamara likes Dorian, and as brothers, how can we just stand by and watch Mildred steal the man she loves?" Rubbing his unfeeling knees, Kieran replied, "Tamara is obedient and deserves only the best. Dorian simply hasn't appreciated her qualities yet, and tonight is his chance." "Fine by me. Mildred can just marry Arthur. A slum stray and a sick Luzon boy; sounds like the perfect match!"