"Well... I'll be going now." Eric picked up his plate and left. He didn't want to get involved in trouble. As some say: "ignorance is bliss"

"....."

************

"Oh my Lord!"

"Why would she do this...?"

"How pityful..."

There, before them was Carol's dead hanging body. She 'hanged herself' in front of the back staircase, which was used by the servants.

When Angelina arrived, she saw a crowd of people around the hanging corpse, whispering. Aside from them, there is a small group of people comforting the weeping Evelina.

"It's my fault! I should've stopped her! No... I should've never brought her with me to that event...!" Evelina wept on the ground and she wiped her tears with the handkerchief Carol embroidered for her.

It wasn't very beautiful. It was simple. But it made Evelina look even more sincere and pityful.

"Lady Evelina... It will be alright..." The servants tried to console her.

"Please don't cry eldest lady..."

"Don't cry m'lady... Carol wouldn't want to see you like this if she was still here."

But Evelina turned deaf ears to their comforts and rushed in front of Carol's hanging body. Then she began to beg for forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry Carol! Please forgive me!" Eveline cried and cried, immediately causing pain in the servant's hearts

The servants helped her up and supported her trembling body while they carried her away.

"....." Angelina couldn't help but look at Carol. Angelina didn't feel sympathy. But she did feel pity. This was definitely not a suicide.

"Miss... Can we go back... I... I don't wanna see this anymore..." Marie pulled on Angelina's sleeve, her face pale.

"Okay." Angelina nodded and took Marie away.

************** Half an hour later, the whole Skyler family, exept the duchess, were gathered in the dining room. It wasn't just them though. The head maid was present. But the other servants were not allowed to.

"Eve, I know this hard for you. But tell me what happened." The duke asked Evelina with a solemn face.

Evelina continued to wipe her overflowing tears. Alex was there beside her, trying to calm her down.

"I... It might be because... On viscount Perdonley's mother's birthday... Carol was... She..." Evelina explained everything but she made sure to exaggerate how shocked she was.

After being told of what occured, the duke's face darkened. He looked calm, but also really mad. And Angelina didn't seem to be the only one who noticed.

The duke sighed and told Evelina it will be alright.

Seeing the duke had calmed down slightly, Alex found the courage to speak.

"Now that Carol is... Won't be able to serve Eve, who will act as her personal maid now?" Alex spoke while still gently patting Evelina's arm.

"Call the other maids!" The duke paused before shouting to the head maid.

"Yes, your grace." The head maid bowed and left to get the maids. She came back a few minutes later.

"My Lord, they are all gathered in the lobby." The head maid came back and reported.

"Alright." The duke rubbed the space between his brows and stood up, followed by his three children to the lobby.

************* There, in the spacious and grand lobby, all the maids were gathered. Having them all here in one place made the lobby look crowded and small.

"I would not like to hear word of this incident be spoken of tommorow and the following days. If anyone here dares to let this incident be spread out, 2 months of their salary will be taken away!" The duke warned with an ashen face.

The servants didn't dare to disobey and obediently agreed.

"Us servants understand your grace!"

"Good. Now that Carol isn't here, someone must serve in her place. I trust they will take care of Eve with the greatest care and loyalty!" The duke glanced at Evelina.

Hearing this, many maids raised their hands and volunteered. They are probably not aware of the gentle eldest lady's hidden fiery temper.

Those who had applied for the position of Evelina's first rank maid all stood in a line.

This was a rare opportunity for them. Carol's position in the mansion wasn't low. She wasn't a low rank maid. She served right under Evelina. The position as first rank maid of the estate's masters were to be envied.

So Angelina wasn't surprised by the amount of people. But what caught her off guard was that Lia too lining up.

Angelina was stunned for a second... Only a second.

Unsurprisingly... Evelina chose Lia.

"Eve, isn't she one of Angelina's personal maids?" the duke asked with his arms folded.

"Yes she is. I thought it will be better having her as my 1st rank personal maid since she already has the experience of serving someone." Evelina smiled naively. She grabbed Lia's hand and said, "please let her serve as my new 1st rank maid father. I'm sure sister wouldn't mind... Right?"

All eyes were now directed at Angelina.

Angelina didn't react too much. She just smiled and spoke in a harmless tone, "what if i don't agree?"

"....."

After a pause Angelina laughed. "Hahaha. I'm merely joking. Of course you can have Lia serve you elder sister!"

"... Thank you Lina." Evelina smiled. "I'm sure this is what Carol would've wanted."

************

Marie was enraged when she found out. She felt betrayed. Serina didn't seem to feel much towards Lia's new position.

But Angelina was thinking about it all night. Something didn't feel right. She was constantly haunted by this feeling. Why does it feel like a piece of the puzzle is missing?

************

"Hm.. hm.." Lia hummed as she brushed Evelina's hair.

"Hehe... Are you satisfied?" Evelina chuckled.

Lia giggled. "Thank you, your grace."

"Don't think this is a favor. You, as Carol's replacement, must do a few things for me. Just like her." Evelina dropped her smile and her eyes became cold.

"Yes m'lady."

*************

"Thank you for coming here Lina." Alice thanked Angelina as she was helping Angelina get down from the carriage.

"There's no need for you to help me Ally. Why are you acting like a servant?" Angelina frowned.

"My family told me to. I mean we do have quite the rank gap between our families right? They don't want to seem impolite..." Alice explained while nervously scratching her head.

"... Where are they? Your family." Angelina glanced at the Illiya family mansion. It was beautiful but much less grand than the Skyler or Bailey family mansion.

"Oh they're waiting in the lobby for you." Alice said.

The two walked towards Alice's home. Once they arrived by the door, Angelina could already see three figures waiting for them.

' They must be Alice's parents and older brother... ' Angelina confirmed in her heart.

"Welcome lady Angelina! It's an absolute honor to have you here!" They bowed to Angelina.

But something caught Angelina's attention. They were all wearing, what looks to be, their most expensive clothing...

Both Alice's father and brother wore expensive attire. Alice's mother was wearing quite an obnoxious and eye-catching gown. Not to mention her arms were completely covered with bracelets, and there had to be at least two necklaces on Alice's mother's neck.

' Did the viscountess empty her stock of jewelry for me? ' Angelina didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Seeing them like this, Alice too seemed embarrassed. "Uh... Lina.. This is my family."

Angelina faced the Illiya family and smiled gracefully. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for taking some of your precious time to welcome me."

"No, of course not lady Angelina! It's truly an honor to have you here!" Viscountess Illiya smiled happily.

Her gaze immediately went to Angelina, who was wearing an elegant black off shoulder gown with long sleeves. She looked like a proper rich lady.

Unlike her gown which was obnoxious and overwhelming, Angelina's gown matched with white jewelry made her look untouchable. As if even touching her would be disrespectful.

Viscountess Illiya couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

"Um... Let's go to my room Lina. I have something to show you..." Alice took Angelina's palm and walked away together.

Once they were in Alice's room, Alice immediately went to rummage through her closet while Angelina was left to look around.

Alice's room was very comfortable. It wasn't too big like Angelina's but it gave off a peaceful feeling. The room was themed light blue and white.

"Lina, this... This is what I wanted to show you..." Alice found what she was looking for and brought it out.

Angelina turned around and saw a small wooden box in Alice's hands.

"This... I didn't tell anyone... I was scared..." Alice slowly opened the wooden box and revealed a decapitated finger.

It was a finger.

Alice began to tear up as she spoke. "This... This is Oscar's finger. I know because he has a beauty mark behind his index finger..."

"...." Angelina looked closely and she did see a small beauty mark.

"It was lady Evelina. It was her maid... Ca-carol? I think that was her name. They told me not to tell anyone. I still remember what her maid told me. She said...

my lady wanted me to give you this. I think you know who this belongs to. Lady Evelina is being merciful. She wanted me to warn you that if you dare get in her way again... What you'll be receiving next time won't be just a finger. "

"...." Angelina was speechless.

"I think she did this because I won. I won the competition remember? The singing competition back on the day of the royal ball. If only I hadn't... Then this wouldn't have happened! But it's too late... She's angry. "