Chapter 57 Xena Sackler's Dilemma and Bradley's Bias
It was becoming too much of a coincidence. And when coincidences piled up like this, it suggested that things were anything but simple.
Paige was on the verge of asking if this Raymond was wheelchair-bound, but Xena was already exasperated. Why did Paige have to talk so much, especially to her beloved Louis? Paige was clearly doing this on purpose!
Xena cut right to the chase, "You're a maid, shouldn't you do what maids do? Serving coffee and water to the host and guests; is that something I need to remind you of?"
Despite Paige's intent to resign, she hadn't left just yet. Moreover, she didn't want anyone to know about the snooping she'd done in the villa, a search she hoped to complete smoothly before she quit.
Xena's pestering left Paige with no choice but to endure. She wanted to say it wasn't her job to serve drinks, but as she turned around, she noticed the villa’s usually busy hallways were eerily deserted. Fortunately, Paige knew the place well enough to find where the coffee was made.
So, she turned to make the coffee, but after taking a few steps, Louis began to say, "You don't have to..."
Before Louis could finish, Xena stepped forward, grabbing his arm, "Louis, we're about to get married. Are you feeling bad for her?
Louis turned to Xena, "In any case, she's still your sister. When Grandpa comes out and learns of her true identity, he won't be pleased with your behavior."
Xena might've been indifferent to other remarks, but Bradley's opinion mattered to her.
Louis shrugged off Xena's hand and walked over to Paige.
Paige held the coffee and sidestepped Louis's attempt to help, only asking, "Your uncle, is he dependent on a wheelchair?"
Louis wasn't surprised and simply nodded, "Yes, he survived a car accident but has been in a wheelchair ever since."
Paige's hands trembled, causing the coffee to slosh onto the tray. She steadied herself quickly.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that the very person she'd failed to consider in her investigation would turn out to be like this.
Raymond, Louis's uncle, her husband, the man she shared a modest apartment with, was none other than the member of the esteemed Northwind family, Carnegie!
Not just some plain Joe with the same name by sheer coincidence!
How absurdly had she regarded her husband; a regular Joe, unassuming, and handsome husband?
Regular?
Noticing Paige's distracted gaze, Louis asked, "You alright?"
Paige replied, "I'm fine."
After that, she poured two cups of coffee, bringing them over to Xena and Louis.
Xena let out a mocking laugh, eyeing the spilled coffee on the tray, and said snidely, "Can't even get the simple task of serving coffee right, huh? Some maid you are."
Paige replied with a frosty look, "Floral arrangements are my job here, not waiting on people."
To which Xena Sackler retorted, "And when did you learn to do flower arranging? Paige, when you're out in the real world, it's best to remain humble and honest."
Paige had no intention of getting into an argument with Xena right there.
She hadn't understood before, but now it all made sense why she had been hired so effortlessly. Bradley had merely spoken a word, and her application for a regular maid position was instantly switched to that of a florist, a job with a far lighter workload and even a better salary.
This realization made Paige think about how Sean always called her "Ms. Sackler" with extraordinary respect.
And the gardener who always managed to adjust his schedule to give her a ride to work...
The kitchen lady who just happened to go out for grocery shopping each day right after lunch...
Not to mention the luxurious vehicles used for gardening and grocery shopping...
Paige took a deep breath, hardly daring to contemplate why everything had gone so smoothly for her...
"Paige, are you even listening to me? You are a maid here; what does it mean when you zone out while I'm talking to you? Do you even know your place?" Xena said, livid.
In her mind, Paige was a maid in this villa, yet Louis was still siding with her. To Xena, who saw herself as the future lady of the house, what did Paige's behavior indicate? When she officially moves in, was Paige going to show her such attitude as well?
The more Xena thought about it, the angrier she got, and taking advantage of Paige's distraction, she spitefully threw the coffee right in Paige's face.
Paige snapped back to the present, but Xena was relentless, "You better get clear on where you stand!"
Just as Louis was about to stand up for Paige, a deep, commanding voice echoed from the staircase.
"In that case, today, not only does Paige need to understand her position, but it would be wise for you all to reconsider yours as well."
Bradley's words filled the space as he descended the stairs, step by deliberate step.
Beside him was Sean, a figure Paige knew all too well.
Walking down the stairs, Sean was supporting Bradley, who wouldn't have lost his composure and come down stairs, if he hadn't seen Xena spilling coffee on Paige in the surveillance video.
Paige watched as Bradley descended the staircase, silent as the grave. It was Xena, however, who immediately swooped in, her tone shedding its former domineering edge for a saccharine sweetness.
"Grandpa, my grandma sent me to check on you. Louis is free today, so he came with me," Xena Sackler cooed, reaching out to steady Bradley.
Bradley neatly sidestepped her attempt and headed straight toward Paige instead.
Paige couldn't bring herself to call Bradley by name from the moment she knew this was no ordinary elderly man, but rather, the venerable Bradley Carnegie, the senior Chairman of the Hawke Corporation. He was a man so prominent that in all of Northwind, his influence could spark a quake with a mere stomp of his foot.
She couldn't fathom why he'd take a shine to her as a daughter-in-law. And why he conspired with Raymond to hide their identity, perhaps fearing she'd covet their family fortune?
Approaching, Bradley received a tissue box passed by Sean. Presenting a tissue to Paige, he said, “Paige, youths can be thoughtless, you could teach them in time.”
Xena stood transfixed at his words, and she wasn't the only one, Louis was rooted to the spot too.
What was going on? Thoughtless youth?
The 'youth' Bradley referred to could only be Louis.
However, Bradley's comments directed at Paige caused a sinking feeling in Louis; could Bradley have taken a liking to her?
The same thought struck Xena, sending her mind reeling.
It was then that Paige, cornered with no escape, finally faced Bradley and uttered, “Dad...”
Her voice was nearly a whisper, but to Louis and Xena, the single 'Dad' resonated loud and clear.
At that moment, someone came in to announce, “Sir, young master, Raymond has returned.”
