Sandra was shocked by the woman's sensitivity and intuition. Cautiously raising her head, she replied, "Yeah. She's my enemy. Wh-what's wrong?" She subtly observed her master's expression.
She thought, So he's already seen Tiffany? When did that happen? I clearly pushed her off the cliff. Could it be that… he encountered her at the bottom? The more she considered it, the more flustered she became. Her master glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "In that case, I'll let you off for now. This won't happen again." He then walked straight into the hole.
The deep chasm seemed like a ferocious beast's maw. A slow wind blew in. Sandra curled up, finding her master far more terrifying than the situation itself. Originally, failing the test meant a lifetime of confinement in the castle. But the outcome was… unexpected.
She wondered if her master's leniency stemmed from curiosity about the outside world or about Tiffany. She thought, So I barely escaped death thanks to Tiffany? How ironic! An inexplicable chill ran down her spine. She thought, Although this man is cold-blooded, he's the only support I have. I absolutely can't let Tiffany reappear.
Wiping away her tears, she gritted her teeth, rose, and walked through the hole. This passage, while perilous, led directly to the outside of Misty Ridge, near the castle.
Tiffany sneezed repeatedly during their journey. Jeremy guided them safely out of Misty Ridge, and they eventually returned to their villa. Richard carried her to her room as soon as they arrived. A maid had already drawn a hot bath. He immediately placed Tiffany in the tub.
The hot water eased her instantly; all her pores seemed to open. She squinted, luxuriating in the warmth. Looking up, she saw Richard hadn't left. His aura remained cold, his handsome face icy. A terrifying aura surrounded him; he looked as though he might order Misty Ridge destroyed at any moment.
Tiffany took his hand. "I'm fine," she said. She didn't mention falling from the cliff into the cold pool, but Richard, with his keen perception, already knew. She was drenched, clearly having emerged from water, and she couldn't swim.
Richard said nothing, merely stroking her head. "Rest well," he said indifferently before turning and leaving.
As the door closed, John approached. "Mr. Hampton, we've discovered the castle across the way belongs to the Quaid family. The person in Misty Ridge was the head of the Quaid family. He sent several maids for a test, but we haven't identified them yet."
Only a handful of prominent families existed in the country: the Hamptons of Lovell City, the Ashtons of Traron City, and the Quaids of Meneva City, along with a few others who remained reclusive, largely out of contact with the outside world. The Quaid family head was rumored to be moody and eccentric, always accompanied by a black cat and keeping a large number of maids. He was considered a freak.
Richard thought, It was probably Felix Quaid who encountered Tiffany. Even Jeremy couldn't find the maid who pushed her; Felix must have intervened. He raised an eyebrow, radiating coldness. "Is he after the box as well?"
John nodded. "Yes."
This box was an open secret among the families—a legendary wooden box granting mysterious power. It had existed for a century, promising its possessor the ability to see through all things, defy fate, and become unstoppable. But legend remained just that—a legend. For a hundred years, countless had searched for it, finding nothing.
Richard sneered. "Tell him this: whichever hand his maid used to push Tiffany… will be crippled." He thought, That's quite lenient, considering.
John nodded. "Got it."
When the news reached the castle, Felix was stroking his black cat. A dozen trembling maids stood before him, including Sandra. Terror filled her; she thought, He said he'd let me go. Why is he gathering us now?
Felix asked his cat, a faint smile on his face, "Sweetie, what do you think? Should I cripple her hand? I have to show Mr. Hampton respect. This is even more interesting, don't you think?" The cat meowed intelligently.
Felix continued, "You think I'm right? Alright then. I'll cripple one hand as a small punishment." Two subordinates restrained Sandra.
Terrified, she cried, "No, don't!" She thought, If I lose a hand, I can't get revenge. "Mr. Quaid, please! I can do things for you, anything you want…"
Felix shook his head. "Too bad. You offended someone you shouldn't have."
Sandra paused, then shouted, "There's a way! They don't know who did it!"
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"They don't know it was me, so cripple someone else! You can still explain it to Mr. Hampton."
The other maids' expressions changed. What a vicious bitch! they thought. She'll drag others down to save herself!
Felix laughed. "Interesting! This method is indeed… interesting."
Sandra had narrowly escaped. She thought, Thank goodness Tiffany doesn't know I'm alive and serving Felix. Otherwise, I'd be doomed.
She breathed a sigh of relief, while the other women's faces fell. Felix waved, and his subordinates chose a victim at random… Miserable screams filled the air.
Felix, carrying his cat, left. Before departing, he pinched Sandra's chin. "I like your ruthlessness. Don't disappoint me."
Sandra nodded, thinking, This luck won't last. I need to be better prepared next time.
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