Cheyenne suddenly realized what Abbie just told her was nothing but a lie. She chuckled. "Miss Berry, so you're entertaining thoughts of passion with Mr. Foley on my bed? Well, well, this is truly eye-opening. Seems like you wealthy folks enjoy such games!"
With that, Kelvin's face grew even darker, his voice icy as he angrily retorted, "Cheyenne, what nonsense are you spouting?"
He had never touched Abbie before, not in the past, not now, and certainly not in the future. However, Abbie, whose thoughts were now laid bare, surprised everyone. The poised and elegant debutante revealed herself as a scandalous woman.
The servants' eyes, once respectful, now bore disdain and mockery for Abbie.
Emelia, summoned by Kelvin just as she settled to sleep, appeared with Vincent. Upon hearing that the keys were taken by her, Emelia's gaze faltered for a moment. She hastily approached and slapped the maid across the face.
"You're lying! I never asked you for the keys. You neglected your duty, and Miss Berry happened to find them. Don't pin it on me!"
Small red marks adorned the fair skin of the maid's face as she tearfully spoke, "I didn't, Master Kelvin. Truly, it was Lady Emelia who asked me to bring her the keys."
Franklin, his eyes as fierce as a predator, suddenly kicked the maid hard in the chest. She coughed, collapsing onto the cold floor, spitting out blood that splattered like bewitching peach blossoms on the white surface.
"You despicable woman! How dare you slander Emelia?" Franklin accused.
"You are derelict, and still have the audacity to blame it on Emelia. How dare you!" he continued.
As Franklin scolded the maid, Kelvin, with a disdainful snort, coldly stared at her kneeling form. Undoubtedly, she was just a sacrificial pawn, unworthy of sympathy.
"Joe, settle her three months' salary and have her leave tomorrow."
At Kelvin's command, Joe led the maid away. The red stain on the floor remained, noticed by Cheyenne, who bit her rosy lip in silence, but her almond-shaped eyes filled with anger betrayed her current feelings.
Abbie, who stood in her nightgown, had never provoked such anger from Cheyenne.
Franklin and Emelia's actions revealed the ugliest side of humanity - the abuse of wealth, the mistreatment of the weak, and a callousness toward human nature.
Grateful, the maid bowed to Kelvin. "Thank you, Master," she said, coughing. She was content with three months' salary, even if it meant enduring illness.
Hearing the weakness in her voice, Cheyenne guessed that Franklin's kick had injured her internally. Out of compassion, she handed the maid a business card. "This is from my friend, a general practitioner. Visit him; it's on the house."
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