Chapter 69
She thought to herself as she soaked herself in.
Dajal was aware of the fact that I don’t enjoy wearing any undergarnts. He who doesn’t even co near the main mansion… Which could only an that one of the maids acted as his source of information. I must pay more attention to my dressing and manner of speaking.
He was also aware of the incident where she had reprimanded a knight for harassing a maid, so excluding the main mansion under Pon’s care, there wasn’t a part of the estate that didn’t have Dajal’s eyes and ears.
And to add on, to think that Aran Bank belonged to Alec.
The sound of water coming out from the showerhead failed to block out the noises in her head. Just when she started to feel nauseous from all the thoughts going on in her head.
Knock, knock!
She heard a knock on the door of the bathroom.
“Yes.”
A maid relayed a ssage from outside of the bathroom.
“Madam, His Lordship wishes to dine in the dining room tonight.”
“Hmm….”
Normally, she ate at the table in her bedroom and he had never comnted or disapproved of it. So for him to have dinner in the dining room could only an that he was still angry, and had no intention of coming into the bedroom tonight.
Let’s not get emotional like before. And try to have a calm conversation…
She repeated to herself.
“All right. I’m done washing up and about to change so lend a hand.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The maid called the other maids that were waiting and assisted Athyst who had co out of the bathroom. They quickly prepared the usual high waisted silhouette and simple dress.
“No, bring the corset as well. And for the dress, sothing more… fancy, right, the pale yellow dress I bought before will do.”
“Yes, Madam.”
With the help of the maids, Athyst tightened the corset around her and wore the yellow dress she had recently bought. The dress tapered downwards, which accentuated the curves of her hips and waist.
This should do, thought Athyst. She was ready to face Alexcent a second ti. She looked at Alexcent, who was already at the dining table looking comfortable. He was wearing black pants, and a white shirt with a few buttons undone, which revealed his Adam’s apple and his collarbone.
She felt her heart race. She tried to take her eyes off from his collarbone and looked at the whiskey in his hand. He was seated at the head of the long table. When he saw Athyst approach, he seed taken aback. But he took a sip from the glass he was holding and pretended to maintain a calm composure.
The room was throbbing with tension, as though even a spark could make both explode at any ti. Athyst sat facing him at the other end of the table, instead of next to him. She thought she saw him attempting a smile, but it could have been her imagination. He indicated to Pon to serve the food.
Pon served the food with all grace and elegance. Athyst looked at the food in front of her. It was steak. He must have instructed the chef to prepare her favourite food, maybe to placate her and have the upper hand in this confrontation. It was prepared almost lovingly with her favorite sauce. Damn it, she cursed.
Athyst pretended to be unfazed. She took up the fork and the knife and sliced her at. The aroma was irresistible, and it made so of her anxiety lt away. Alexcent was quick to notice this.
“So, tell ,” he said, taking advantage of the situation, “What are you angry about?”
“You first,” retorted Athyst.
Alexcent heaved a sigh. “Ash,” he said wearily, “Please don’t try to provoke . I am already holding back, as it is.”
“Fine,” she snapped, “Were you aware of all the tyranny that Dajal committed on the maids?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“And you had ample evidence of his cris,” she added.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Then why?” asked Athyst, “Tell why you didn’t take any action against him?”
“Why would I do that?”
Athyst was stunned. “He was committing a cri, you daft dimbo,” she retorted.
“His cris led him to keep the slush funds safe in my bank, where they belong,” said Alexcent.
“Ah, in the end, it is all because of money!” said Athyst venomously, “Aran Bank and all its glorious black money. I am not even surprised that there is such a bank under your na. What about the maids? How could you keep quiet about that and do nothing?”
“Did any of them find it important to report to about it?” asked Alexcent, coldly.
How could he ask that? Athyst thought in anger. “What?” she asked, unable to fathom his words.
“All of them tolerated his tyranny,” he said in a dead-pan voice, “If even one of them had reported it to , I would have taken swift action. I couldn’t punish him without receiving complaints or accusations. He would have just accused of ‘exploitation of power’ instead. Without the victims coming forward, I had no reason to take action.”
“But you had the evidence!” she exclaid, “You knew everything! Don’t try the ‘victim-blaming’ with . You think the maids had a choice. You saw what happened today. The sa thing happened to them whenever they tried to report it! You had a choice. You had the authority, and you did nothing.” Her voice was etched with disappointnt.
“Ash…,” said Alexcent softly, “Why are you so worried about them? They are just employees on contract working beneath us. Don’t get so sentintal.”
“Then I suppose I am no different to you,” she retorted, angrily, “Since you and I have a similar contract.”
“Don’t…,” he said, “Ash, you are different from them.”
“No I am not,” she snapped, “I am also a woman who has nothing here except being tied to that contract so you have to protect like you did today. You are the one responsible for , as you are for them! Your ‘employees’ will be here longer than . I will disappear in a year. You should pay attention and take up your responsibilities more seriously with them.”
“Disappear?” said Alexcent.
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