Chapter 466 Exposing Eleanor
"One of the Blanchets' servants," the girl replied. "I was at the Rodriguez estate this afternoon, playing, when a servant from the Blanchets' came by for a visit. That's when I overheard it!
"I couldn't stand the thought of Aunt Kathy taking only that wild child out with her, so I rushed right over to the Blanchets'.
"Aunt Kathy was very gracious, treating me to a feast. She said..." But Miss Rou's impetuous remarks were cut short as Eleanor's face hardened at the little girl's lack of filter. "Miss Rou, you're all wet and shivering. Let Aunt Kathy take you back to the living room for a change of clothes..."
She tried to change the subject hastily.
Winnie, however, took Miss Rou's hand, "What else did Aunt Kathy say to you? Did she talk about Sidney?"
Eleanor's eyes darkened with worry.
Miss Rou had already blurted out, "Yeah. Aunt Kathy was singing Sidney's praises, telling everyone that he's the great-grandson of the Rodriguez family.
"Aunt Kathy sympathized with me, saying that I am in fact Winnie Anderson of the main house. It made me furious. Why should this newcomer get all the affection? So, I confronted him!"
At this point, Kathy's gaze shifted subtly, those once benevolent yet steely eyes turned towards Eleanor.
Winnie scoffed, looking up. "Auntie, why are you filling her head with this stuff? She's just a kid.
"Both children are treasures of the Rodriguez family. Aren't you just stirring up trouble?"
Her gaze shifted slyly towards Madam Rodriguez.
Eleanor protested at once, "Winnie, you've got me all wrong. I genuinely like Rou; I just slipped up."
In this adaptation for an American audience, the text uses everyday language and cultural references understandable to American readers. It remains faithful to the original content while ensuring natural dialogue and coherence in the narrative flow.
"Really?" Winnie scoffed, her brows lifted in mock surprise. "The Blanchets' help usually falls under your watch, don't they, auntie? Quite the coincidence they happened to drop by the Rodriguezs today. And to top it off, brought little Ruru along."
There was a pointed edge to the word "brought" that she left tantalizingly unsaid.
Kathy's formerly friendly gaze had shifted, taking on a new shape.
A storm cloud gathered in Eleanor's eyes. Winnie had walked in, adding fuel to the fire, skillfully directing every accusation her way, thwarting her plans.
Ruru's reckless chatter would surely ripple endlessly in Mrs. Rodriguez's ears.
Eleanor forced a pitiful smile, "Winnie, the Blanchets' staff visiting others... that's not something I control. What exactly are you getting at? Of course, I feel guilty about the child's near-drowning—happening on the Blanchets' premises—but thankfully, no harm done."
"Yeah, thank goodness for that," Winnie's smile was tight, her teeth almost grinding.
By then, Carlos and Amy had arrived.
Upon hearing her precious daughter was pushed into the water by Sidney, Amy stormed over in a fury, her hand raised to strike him, "You little bastard, hiding behind your Aunt Kathy and your arrogant father, bullying my Ruru again and again. Today, you're done for!"
"Miss Rodriguez, hold on!" Winnie stepped in front of her, intercepting her hand. "I've already checked your daughter, she's alright. She twice pushed Sidney into the pond and commanded her servant to harm him. Sidney was merely defending himself!"
"I'm telling you, I did not bring the Rodriguez's servant here! Are you deaf?" Ruru screamed at Winnie, her intolerance radiating.
Winnie, intentionally revisiting the topic, glanced at Carlos, then turned to Eleanor, "Well, isn't this curious. Ruru insists she didn't bring a servant, yet Sidney distinctly saw a male servant push him into the pond. So, the question is, whose servant was it? Auntie, what do you think?"
"Winnie... ha, how would I know? I wasn't even there. Could Sidney have been mistaken?"
Eleanor clenched her teeth, seeing Carlos's face darken, wishing she could tear Winnie's mouth to shreds. Ever since Carlos discovered Eleanor's ill intentions towards Winnie, his disillusionment with his wife had grown. Sidney was Winnie's child, and Eleanor might have guessed that today's drama was somehow linked to her. Would anyone suspect the same?
The Rodriguez family was gathered, and it wasn't the place for airing old grievances. Carlos quickly took control of the situation. "As long as both kids are alright, that's what matters.
Kathy, Miss Rodriguez, getting the children to a doctor is the priority. Let's head to the foyer."
Kathy nodded, and the maids helped her to her feet and escorted her out.
Anger was written all over Amy's face as she swiftly picked up Rocio, glaring at Sidney as if wishing she could crush the child in her arms.
Winnie stood protectively by Sidney, locking eyes with Amy. She felt the need to snap some sense into her and said with a smile, "Miss Rodriguez, let's put other things aside for now. Your daughter suddenly showing up at the Blanchet residence to cause trouble for Sidney was at the instigation of one of the Blanchets' servants. Moreover, Mrs. Blanchet quite likes your daughter, had a long chat with her... and it was after that Rocio sought Sidney out in a fit of anger. Rocio, there's a pond on the east side of the Blanchet property. Who told you about it?"
Rocio pouted guiltily. "It's not my fault! The Blanchet butler told me the pond was fun, and I figured that little brat Sidney couldn't swim..."
Amy hurriedly clamped her hand over her daughter's mouth.
Her mind cleared a bit, and she rose to her feet, shooting a vicious glance at Eleanor as she passed by. "Mrs. Blanchet, if you dare mess with Amy, watch your back!"
Eleanor stiffened suddenly. Amy's words made her whirl around, shooting a venomous look at Winnie. That little wretch, seeking revenge on her!
Eleanor was seething on the inside. The kid hadn't drowned, and instead, Winnie had used the incident to set her as an enemy not only in front of Mrs. Rodriguez and Carlos but also Amy. She had already fallen out with Bryan Rodriguez after using Skylar, and this would only worsen her relations with the main household...
If the Rodriguez family developed a bad opinion of her, Eleanor, it would only make things harder for Ishara, her future daughter-in-law. That Winnie, a despicable creature, was playing a dangerous game.
Under the moonlight, Winnie scooped up her son, finally finding a moment to whisper, "What on earth were you doing at the Blanchet residence? And keeping it a secret from mommy, no less. If you get into trouble again, how do you expect me to go on?"
Realizing his mistake, Sidney stuck out his tongue, "Sorry, mommy. I had my reasons for coming here... I'll explain later."
Sidney glanced ahead, where his grandfather Carlos was patiently waiting for them.
He let his gaze linger, hesitant as he glanced back at the little cottage beyond the pond.
That very afternoon, just as he had stumbled upon the last peculiar, dilapidated villa, before he even had a chance to examine its sealed entrance, Tiffany had interrupted him with her complaints...
At that moment, his heart had inexplicably quickened, but now, he couldn't recapture that sensation.
There was something off about that villa!
"Mommy, I... Achoo!" Sidney meant to ask if he could take another look at the villa.
"What's wrong?" Winnie immediately wrapped him up in a towel. "Mommy's going to take you to see a doctor, to check on your lungs."
Alright, forget it. It was too dark to see anything now, anyway.
Besides, making a special trip there would only raise suspicion.
He'll just have to come back for a closer look another time!
Sidney remained silent, snuggled in his mother's embrace.
Winnie didn't linger. She walked away from the Blanchet family home. Carlos stopped her, lowering his voice so Madame Rodriguez up ahead couldn't hear, "Winnie, make sure the kid gets a thorough check-up. Don't miss anything. Sidney, when you visit the Blanchet family next time, you must tell your grandfather."
Carlos's expression was stern, his brow furrowed with concern. Winnie reassured him, "Don't worry, Dad, I’ll take good care of Sidney. Oh, did you call for something specific this afternoon?"
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