Chapter 288 Refusal
Unfortunately, those peaceful days didn't last long.
With New Year approaching, the Percy Group got busier, and Charles started coming home less frequently.
Even the employees noticed that Charles, who was already quite aloof, seemed increasingly irritated with work.
But Diana didn't mind at all. She actually enjoyed the days when Charles wasn't home.
However, Tessa's hostility towards her became more and more apparent.
"Ms. Spencer, can you clean up these dishes? We'll be trimming the bushes later."
Tessa's voice was sharp and high-pitched, always carrying a tone that sounded polite but was actually very cutting.
Diana closed her eyes briefly, unsure of what she had done to offend Tessa.
Since taking over Jacob's position, Tessa had been treating Diana like a servant at the Percy Mansion, assigning her all sorts of chores like washing dishes, mopping floors, and weeding.
The endless list of tasks left Diana exhausted.
For two days straight, she was woken up early to start working and collapsed into bed at night, with no semblance of a pregnant woman.
She felt that if this continued, she would soon be trained into a top-tier blue-collar worker.
So when Tessa made her latest demand, Diana retorted, "How much do you get paid a month?"
Tessa was taken aback by the sudden question, blinking rapidly before responding stiffly, "Ms. Spencer, that's private."
Bronte, standing nearby, chimed in, "It depends on the position, Ms. Spencer. I make about $5,000 a month, but those doing odd jobs get a bit less."
Diana drew out her response meaningfully, then turned to Tessa and extended her hand.
"Then please, Housekeeper Tessa, pay us our wages. Evelyn and I have been doing enough chores to match the regular staff."
She emphasized the word "housekeeper," elevating Tessa's title while also warning her—'Who do you think you are, abusing your power?'
As expected, Tessa's face turned visibly red.
Bronte couldn't help but smirk. She and Tessa had joined the Percy Mansion at the same time and earned similar wages.
Now, Tessa often used her temporary housekeeper status to offload her work onto others.
Not only that, Bronte had seen Tessa eating the supplements bought for Diana several times.
Some people, once given a bit of power, will go to great lengths to make others' lives difficult.
Tessa was a prime example.
Diana, tired of the games, had been cooperating with Tessa's demands, but now she was done.
Tessa bit her lip and finally spoke, her tone forced, "Mr. Percy said you need exercise. Pregnant women shouldn't lie around all day."
Her eyes darted nervously.
Diana lifted her eyelids and gave her a cold glance, "Really? Then I should call him and ask. Making a pregnant woman work six hours a day, what kind of exercise is that?"
Tessa's lie was so blatant that Diana almost laughed in exasperation, her words dripping with sarcasm.
Bronte couldn't hold back her laughter, but quickly shut her mouth when both Tessa and Diana looked at her.
Tessa's face tightened as she realized Diana's previous compliance had been a test. Now that Diana had had enough, she was finally calling Tessa out.
Tessa was unwilling to let go of the power she had just gained.
"Ms. Spencer, I'm only thinking of your well-being. Your words hurt me. If you don't want to do it, then forget I said anything."
Tessa's words were almost spat out through gritted teeth.
Just then, a dog's bark echoed through the room.
Snowy trotted in, covered in bits of grass. The smart dog shook itself off before entering, then wagged its tail and padded over to Diana with its fluffy, soft fur.
"Ms. Spencer, Snowy slipped out of its collar and ran off. I couldn't catch up."
Evelyn came in, panting, holding a dog leash.
Diana smiled, bent down to pick up Snowy, and spoke to Tessa even more bluntly, "You don't run this house. If you're unhappy, you can complain to Charles."
"You!"
Tessa's breath caught, and she instinctively wanted to argue.
Evelyn stepped in front of her, raising her voice, "What are you yelling for? Didn't you hear what Ms. Spencer said? Move aside!"
Tessa's bravado crumbled, and she left without another word, casting a resentful glance at the two women.
Bronte quietly advised, "Ms. Spencer, Tessa can be petty. Be careful, she's still the housekeeper for now."
Diana stroked the dog in her arms, her voice light, "It's fine. No matter how tough she thinks she is, she's just an employee."
Charles wouldn't ignore his own child for her, would he?
Outside the villa, Tessa was fuming as she walked, muttering to herself and not paying attention to where she was going. She found herself at the mansion's gate.
Ahead, she heard a heated argument.
"I was Mr. Percy's secretary. You've seen me before, right? I'm Clara, remember?"
Clara's voice was urgent, almost pleading.
But the security guard remained unmoved, firmly refusing, "Sorry, without Mr. Percy's orders, no one is allowed in."
Clara, seeing that sweet-talking wasn't working, became agitated.
"Why can't you be flexible? I'm here to see Diana! She's my sister, my blood relative! Understand? Do I need anyone's permission to see her?"
The guard was unimpressed, glancing at Clara before nonchalantly cleaning his ear.
"I don't care who you are. If you're really her sister, let Ms. Spencer come to the gate."
"You!" Clara was at a loss for words and angrily threw her bag against the iron gate, creating a loud, metallic clang.
Suddenly, a woman's voice interrupted them. "What are you arguing about?"
Tessa stood with her arms crossed, frowning slightly.
The guard's face lit up with a sycophantic smile as he waved at her, "Tessa, hi. It's nothing, I'll get rid of this person right away."
Clara's eyes fell on Tessa. She wasn't wearing a uniform and had light makeup on, looking more like a guest than a servant.
'Who is this woman?' Clara wondered, having no recollection of her.
Tessa, meanwhile, scrutinized Clara from head to toe.
This woman claimed to be Diana's sister? They didn't look alike at all.
But out of curiosity, Tessa decided to intervene, "Wait, we should be polite to guests. Let me handle this."
The guard was puzzled. Since when did Charles order a softer approach?
"Alright, I'll take a walk over there. You two talk."
The guard wisely stepped away, leaving the space at the gate to Clara and Tessa.
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