17:58 Sat, Dec 21
Chapter 58
The others instinctively turned their heads to see Maura cowering on the floor, her arms wrapped around her head, trembling uncontrollably. Afternoon sunlight cast a golden glow across the land, yet Maura's face remained pale, etched with terror and unease. They wondered if she was losing her mind. Some immediately retreated, widening the distance between themselves and Maura.
Stacy was furious. She glared fiercely at the servant who had hastily distanced herself, muttering, "Maura is more important right now. I'll deal with her later." The servant, caught, looked embarrassed.
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Stacy knelt, pulling Maura into her arms. Gently wiping the sweat from Maura's forehead, she whispered, "Remember what I told you? This is just a temporary setback. Don't worry. Sooner or later, I will settle this score for you, with interest."
Stacy knew a meeting with Aurora was inevitable upon their return to Crawford Manor. She had long prepared Maura, carefully weighing the pros and cons. Behind closed doors, they could act as they pleased, but public appearances demanded discretion. Yet, the moment Maura saw Aurora, she lost her composure.
Aurora's shadow loomed large over Maura. The mere sight of her face, or sound of her voice, undid all Maura's mental preparation. Stacy patted Maura's shoulder, calming her, then turned to Aurora. "The doctor said Maura suffered a head injury in the car accident and hasn't fully recovered from the concussion. She can't stand for long, so we'll head inside first." She then turned to Maura. "Come on, let's go inside."
Aurora, hands folded, leaned closer to examine Maura's face as she passed. Maura shrank back, burying her head deeper into Stacy's arms, too terrified to meet her gaze. Aurora smiled, clearly satisfied.
Reaching out, Aurora casually brushed a strand of Maura's hair aside, feeling Maura's stiff, trembling body beneath her touch. With a sly smirk, she remarked, "It seems Maura's accident was more serious than I thought. After eight or nine days in the hospital, that concussion still hasn't healed."
Seeing Maura's face drenched in cold sweat, Aurora, feigning benevolence, shifted her attention to Jaxon. "Dad, Leopold was completely out of line. Everyone knows Maura is the treasure of our family, yet after the accident, he walked away unscathed while Maura was bedridden for days. We can't keep that driver. It's time to find a replacement."
Jaxon and Stacy had visited the hospital daily, while Leopold hadn't shown up to work once. Aurora had to take taxis to school, and her calls went unanswered. A lazy, neglectful driver deserved replacement.
"How can this be?" Stacy thought, her heart pounding. Her gaze shifted towards Aurora. Leopold was her pawn, her plan relying on him to cause an accident involving Aurora. If Leopold left, training a replacement would take time, leaving Maura vulnerable. Worse, Aurora might turn the new driver against her. No, the driver couldn't be replaced.
Aurora's offhand comment only solidified her resolve. Stacy's resistance fueled Aurora's determination. "If Leopold could cause an accident with Maura, what's to say he couldn't cause one with me? Firing a reckless driver—who would dare criticize that?" Aurora noted the brief flicker of calculation in Stacy's eyes. Tmph, she thought, trying the same trick again? Let's see if I agree this time.
"And if anyone dares to gossip," Aurora said, "let them hire Leopold themselves."
Stacy thought, Who would be foolish enough to hire a driver with his record? No one. She was speechless, glaring at Aurora in frustration.
Aurora expected Jaxon to side with her, but he supported Stacy. "Leopold has worked with us for years. Even if he's made a mistake, we can't just throw him out. I'm not that cold-hearted."
Aurora's expression hardened. "So, Dad, Leopold is perfectly healthy, but I have to hail taxis to school for a week? What's the point of keeping a driver who ignores his employer? Or is Leopold now Maura's personal chauffeur? If so, why don't you hire me a driver?"
Jaxon's face tightened. He thought, What has Leopold been doing? I told him privately that Aurora didn't need daily pick-ups. But eight or nine days without a word? That's excessive. Maybe he was injured too. I'll call him later.
Aurora sneered, unimpressed by his excuse. "Oh, yes, he must be suffering from severe emotional trauma. He's been traveling with his wife to recover."
Jaxon was stunned. "How do you know that?" He thought, Did she hire someone to investigate him? Has she been looking into me too? Damn it, why can't she just let things be? Why is she so calculating and relentless? Why hasn't she learned to be gentle and understanding like Maura? Instead, she flaunts those bad habits she picked up in the countryside.
Unaware of Jaxon's turmoil, Aurora displayed Leopold's Instagram page. "Just look. Yesterday, he was sunbathing, and today he's surfing! Wow, he's really living the life."
Jaxon leaned closer. The image showed a relaxed Leopold with a bright smile, the caption reading, "Thank my boss for giving me time off."
"Dad," Aurora continued, "I've still got a while before summer vacation, and he's already on holiday?"
Jaxon's pride, repeatedly wounded, finally snapped. "I'm firing him!" he declared angrily. I've been tirelessly worrying about Maura, and Leopold's on vacation? This is unacceptable.
Aurora turned off her phone, tapping it lightly against her cheek before turning to Stacy with an innocent smile.
Stacy thought, That little brat is provoking me? How dare she!