Chapter 58

Georgia, usually a favored servant, found herself covered in manure, trembling with disgust at the nauseating stench. Shelia regarded her coldly, her displeasure evident in the stark contrast between Georgia's soiled state and the immaculate surroundings. Alicia's faint smile only fueled Shelia's irritation, silently confirming her suspicions of manipulation.

Rising, Georgia headed for the living room to clean herself. Alicia, feigning surprise, asked, "Georgia, where are you going?"

"To take a shower, of course," Georgia replied.

"Isn't your room just past the living room?" Alicia reminded her smoothly. "And Mrs. Yates is there. Aren't you bringing the smell with you?" Georgia paused, sensing Shelia's palpable displeasure.

Alice subtly suggested, "Why don't you wash yourself in the fountain? It might lessen the stench."

Seeing the logic, Georgia went to the fountain. Alice followed, offering to help.

"You should help," Georgia retorted, accustomed to giving orders. "This mess is your doing. Then you can help me clean up."

Alice complied without protest. As Georgia washed, the pond's fish fled, repelled by the filth. The uneasy calm was shattered when Georgia confronted Alicia.

"You called me on purpose, didn't you?"

Alicia feigned innocence. "Georgia, how can you say that?"

"You claim you were picking flowers? That's a flimsy excuse," Georgia countered, visibly upset. "You staged a fall near two piles of dog poop to lure me there, didn't you?"

Alicia affected hurt. "You know we're not friends, Georgia. When I hurt my ankle, I never called you. You came without me asking."

Georgia faltered, then burst out, "Why did you move when I pushed you?"

"If you had just stayed still, I wouldn't have ended up on the floor!" Alicia's disbelief was evident.

"Seriously, Georgia? You pushed me. Why would I just stand there? Do you think I'm stupid?" Alicia's defiance surprised Georgia. Since the divorce, Alicia had become bolder.

Georgia's face reddened. Alicia smirked. "Relax, Georgia. It's just a bit of dog dirt. Luckily, it didn't get in your mouth." Alice gestured towards the pond. "Let's get you cleaned up."

The moment Alicia's hand touched the water, she acted. Before Georgia could react, Alicia threw her into the pond. At nearly forty, Georgia's lack of swimming ability panicked her. She thrashed, struggling to stay afloat.

Alice, feigning concern, called out, "Are you all right, Georgia? Can you manage?" Yet, she watched with cold indifference as Georgia struggled.

Shelia and others arrived and pulled Georgia from the water. Terrified, Georgia ran ashore, screaming for help. "Help, Mrs. Yates, help!"

Shelia snapped, "Stop being such a whiner!"

Stunned, Georgia regained her composure. "Mrs. Yates, I can't swim! I almost drowned."

Shelia looked at her coldly. "That little pond almost drowned you? Why didn’t you just stay there?"

Georgia insisted, "Mr. Yates, I'm serious!" She pointed to the pond, about to complain further, but stopped. Alice stood calmly in the shallow water.

Georgia was speechless. A chuckle came from behind. Shelia turned, her anger rising. "Is this funny?"

She stopped, recognizing Caden. "Oh, it's you, Caden. I mistook you for a servant and spoke too harshly. Please don’t take it to heart."

Caden ignored her, focusing on Alice, who had just climbed out of the pond. His intense gaze held a subtle smile. Alice, aware of her wet dress clinging to her form, tried to adjust it. The fabric, though not transparent, clung stubbornly. A strong wind made her shiver and sneeze, unnoticed by the others.

Georgia, still upset, lamented, "I don't understand what I did to upset Mrs. Bennett. I asked her for help and she pushed me into the pond and made fun of me. Mrs. Yates, you have to defend me."

Shelia waved dismissively. "That's enough. You know what Alicia is like. Why bother? You’re much older than her."

Alicia, sensing Shelia’s tacit agreement with Georgia, said softly, "Mrs. Yates, I was just trying to help. I didn't push Georgia."

Georgia glared, furious at Alicia's feigned innocence. "You're lying! Don't you care about karma?"

A flash of lightning and a clap of thunder followed.