Chapter 57: Who is this man?
[Clafford Mansion]
Inside the kitchen, Mariam was focused on preparing lunch when Kira’s voice broke the silence.
"Aunt, where do you think Madam goes every day?"
Mariam froze, her hand hovering mid-air. Her heart gave an anxious thump.
"H-How would I know?" she stammered, quickly turning to grab the spice box as though the sudden task excused her hesitation.
Kira’s eyes narrowed, her lips twitching with irritation. This old hag... lying right through her teeth.
If she hadn’t overheard their little secret, she might have believed her aunt’s innocence. But she knew better now.
"Of course. How would you know," she muttered, her voice a low, deliberate drawl.
But she didn’t stop there. "Still, I think Madam is risking her marriage by keeping secrets. Didn’t you see how she came home drunk that night? And how she dared to demean Master?"
To Kira, that night had been a golden opportunity for Daniel to finally realize how unworthy his wife was. But instead of punishing Anna, his quiet care only infuriated her further.
Mariam set down the spoon, finally turning to face her niece. Her eyes were cool, steady, cutting right through Kira’s spite.
"It’s not our place to discuss what happens between them," she said flatly. "What I do see is a husband who hardly touched his meals before... finally sitting at the table with his wife."
Kira’s jaw tightened, though she forced her face into composure. Mariam’s confidence in Anna’s influence over Daniel made her blood simmer.
"And as for secrets," Mariam continued, her voice firm, "I’m sure Madam will tell him when the time is right."
Kira’s smile was strained, her eyes void. "I hope so," she murmured.
Mariam studied her for a beat longer before turning back to the stove. "Instead of worrying about their marriage, Kira, why don’t you worry about your own work."
The firmness in her tone left no room for debate.
Kira’s lashes fluttered as she swallowed back her irritation. "Yes, Aunt."
Later, Kira stepped into the garden, watering can in hand. Her mood was sour, Mariam’s words still scraping at her pride. How dare her aunt—her aunt—praise that woman as if she were some savior.
Anna was nothing but a stain. And yet... slowly, she was changing things inside this house.
Kira’s thoughts soured further until movement caught her eye.
At the far end of the garden, Ben, the old guard, trudged toward the mansion with a file clutched tightly in his hand.
Kira’s eyes immediately caught the sight, curiosity sparking like a flame. Without missing a beat, she glided forward, cutting him off with her sweetest smile.
"Uncle Ben, what’s that you’ve got there?" she asked, her voice honeyed, her expression all innocence.
Ben blinked, a little startled, then returned her smile with a fond chuckle. "Ah, this? Master sent it from the office. I’m to hand it over to Mariam."
Ever since Kira had joined the household staff, she’d charmed everyone—friendly chats, polite gestures, a helping hand here and there. Being Mariam’s niece only added to her credibility. People trusted her. And she thrived on that trust.
Kira’s eyes softened, her tone sweet as syrup. "Aunt is busy in the kitchen, Uncle Ben. Why don’t you give it to me? I’ll make sure she gets it right away."
Ben hesitated, shifting his weight. The file did look important. But Kira’s earnest smile left little room for doubt.
"Alright," he said finally, handing it over. "Be sure you give it to her immediately."
"Of course," she chirped, hugging the folder to her chest.
Ben walked on, none the wiser.
The moment he was gone, Kira’s pleasant mask slipped. Her lips curled into a slow, sinister smile, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"So... Master thinks this is important enough to send home directly," she murmured, tapping her nail against the file. "Which means... I need to keep it safe."
Her smirk deepened as she tucked the file under her arm, turning toward the mansion with measured, deliberate steps.
For everyone else, she was still the sweet, dutiful niece. But inside, Kira was already plotting how best to twist this small stroke of luck into a weapon.
***
Meanwhile, Anna returned home, her fingers still brushing over the folded autograph Ethan had given her.
"With love to one of my favorite fan."
She cringed, her lips twisting. "Ugh... why does that sound so cheesy?" she muttered under her breath before shoving the paper back into her pocket.
Just as she reached her room, the door swung open.
"Oh my goodness." Startled, Anna stepped back but then knit her brows when Kira appeared in the doorway.
"Kira, what is wrong with you? "Are you trying to give me heartattack" Anna gasped, clutching onto her chest and feeling the pounding of her heart.
"Ah, Madam, you’re back."
Kira, on the other hand, was equally surprised by the encounter but soon masked her expression.
With a sweet smile and her tone overly polite, she said. "I was just cleaning your room."
Anna tilted her head in confusion but before she could utter a word, she dipped her head and glided past Anna, disappearing down the hall.
"Ha," Anna scoffed but then her eyes narrowed, suspicion tugging at her. Kira’s behavior was oddly... off. But after a moment, she exhaled and brushed it aside.
"Maybe I’m overthinking," she muttered and stepped inside the room only to gasp dramatically.
The room was spotless—neat, fresh, and organized, exactly as Kira had claimed. With a small nod, Anna slumped onto the couch, stretching her arms overhead in relief.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the paper again and quickly snapped a picture with her phone.
"Your gift," she typed, attaching the photo before sending it off to Betty.
"I hope she is happy now," she muttered with satisfaction before setting both the phone and the autograph on the table across from her, then rose and headed toward the bathroom, eager to wash away the fatigue of the day.
***
[Daniel’s Office]
"Have you sent the file home?" Daniel asked without looking up, his pen scratching across the last page of the document.
"Yes, Boss," Henry replied promptly, accepting the file Daniel slid back.
A hum was all Henry got in return. But then, as if remembering something, he quickly pulled out a tablet and placed it on the desk.
"Boss, the footage you asked for."
Daniel’s brows furrowed as he leaned forward and pressed play. The video lit up the screen—grainy but clear enough to capture Anna.
Daniel’s jaw clenched. Anna darted across a busy street, grabbing a child just before a speeding car barreled past.
"Tch. Does she think she possesses some kind of superpower?" Daniel muttered, his tone half-angry, half... shaken. "Who throws themselves in front of a car like that?"
Henry’s lips twitched as he risked a glance at his boss. Daniel’s expression had hardened, but Henry caught the flicker of something else—worry.
Meanwhile, Henry’s own eyes sparkled as he leaned closer to the screen. Lady Boss is so cool. He mentally squealed, giving Anna an invisible thumbs-up. "Damn... straight out of an action film," he whispered under his breath.
Daniel ignored him, his gaze locked on the footage. But then—something shifted. His eyes darkened, narrowing sharply.
"Who is this man?" His voice dropped, low and deadly.
Henry blinked, startled. He followed Daniel’s line of sight and noticed the figure—a man in a cap and mask—stepping into the frame, watching Anna.
"I... don’t know, Boss."
The glare Daniel shot him made Henry jolt as if stabbed.
"Of course you don’t," Daniel said coldly, his voice slicing through the air. "Which is why I want you to find out—exactly who this man is and why he was following Anna."
Henry swallowed hard, straightening his back. "Y-Yes, Boss!"
Daniel’s eyes lingered on the frozen frame of the masked man, his fingers drumming against the desk. His mind wasn’t just calculating anymore—it was burning.
’Just why in the world she has so many admirer’ Daniel wondered as he stared at screen watching the two walk away together.