Wyatt realized his carelessness. “How could I forget that behind Andrew, the spoiled boy, is Jeremiah, the key player in Betrico? What kind of luck does Andrew have to get on Jeremiah’s good side?”
Jeremiah’s arrival in Seacrity was significant, regardless of the reason. Wyatt couldn't afford mistakes. If things went wrong, Jeremiah could ensure Wyatt's permanent exclusion from Betrico.
Wyatt hung up, wasting no time. He roused his team leaders, ordering an overnight investigation. By dawn, he'd determined the arrangements and punishments.
Unexpectedly, Jeremiah appeared in his office. Wyatt's heart raced, fearing blame.
“You handled it well, Mr. Langford,” Jeremiah said.
Wyatt wiped his brow. “I appreciate that, but it’s all thanks to you for providing the evidence. Without it, we couldn’t have brought the wrongdoers to justice.”
Jeremiah, dispensing with pleasantries, left without another word. Wyatt respectfully saw him to his car, watching it drive away before returning to his office, still processing events.
In the Maybach, Andrew drove, also busy most of the night. He could have slept after his call, but the video left him too frustrated.
“Jeremiah, are you really going to Argrol University? You’re not joking, right? You graduated years ago!” Andrew said, glancing in the rearview mirror. “You were at the top of your class, remember? They would be lucky to have you as a teacher.”
Jeremiah, in the backseat, ignored Andrew's questions. His expression was weary; the top button of his white shirt was undone, revealing well-defined abs.
“I’m not going to be a teacher. I’m going to be a librarian,” Jeremiah said calmly.
“What?” Andrew nearly shouted. “You’re telling me you’re going to Argrol University and can’t even get a teaching job? A librarian? Jeremiah…”
Jeremiah cut him off. “If you keep talking, I’ll agree to your grandfather’s request and send you to the military.”
Andrew fell silent, even making a “zip-it” gesture. Jeremiah as a librarian was preferable to military service.
Andrew’s driving was accompanied by radio chatter until he switched it off, plunging the car into silence.
Jeremiah hadn't come to Seacrity for rest or library work. He was there for Siren—a physics genius and top hacker the country sought to recruit. However, he'd found someone more interesting. Yesterday’s street encounter must have involved those pills. That girl, though small, possessed quite a temper. Her resistance to the drug's effects was intriguing.
At the Chambers residence, Yvette descended the stairs to find Nellie, Winona, and Zeke in the living room, reading and chatting.
Nellie and Winona fell silent upon seeing Yvette. Without Zachary, they didn't bother with pretense.
Zeke greeted Yvette, pulling out a chair. Yvette ignored him, sitting across the table. Zeke chuckled, “Did you sleep well, Yvette?”
Yvette mumbled, “Uh-huh,” barely acknowledging him. Zeke remained unfazed.
Nellie, unable to bear Zeke's rebuff, snapped, “Yvette, Zeke is trying to talk to you. Can’t you just be decent for once?”
Yvette slammed her cutlery down, leaning back, crossing her legs. A hangover lingered in her eyes. “Oh, so a dog bites me, and I should comfort it?” she said sarcastically.
Nellie fumed at Yvette's attitude. “Who do you think you are? How dare you talk about Zeke like that?”
Yvette toyed with her silverware, making the servants uneasy. “Why aren’t you pretending anymore, Mrs. Nellie Chambers?”
Nellie scoffed. “What do you mean by that? I’ve been nothing but good to you since you came home, but you show no appreciation. I’m Zachary’s wife now, the lady of the house, yet you keep disrespecting me. Enough is enough. Today, I will teach you a lesson.”
Winona remained silent. Zeke decided to stay out of it. The living room felt tense.
Yvette maintained her nonchalance. She stood and approached Nellie, flashing a knife. Nellie felt blood trickle down her neck.
Winona and Zeke were stunned; the servants froze. Nellie stared at the smiling Yvette, seeing a devil. Nellie’s vision blurred; Yvette morphed into Lilian, as she had been over twenty years ago. Nellie screamed, her cry echoing through the mansion.
Yvette tossed the knife down, laughing dismissively, and left.
The living room erupted into chaos. Zeke helped Nellie; the servants assisted. An hour passed before Nellie calmed.
Zeke, his face dark, couldn’t believe Yvette’s audacity. “Where did Winona go?” he asked.
The servants didn't know. Winona had left for school earlier, calling Zachary beforehand, exaggerating the situation. She planned her arrival at Argrol University, stepping out of her car in a crowded spot, drawing everyone’s attention.