Her reverie was interrupted by a knock. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and an unfamiliar middle-aged woman entered, bearing a tray. "Who are you?" Elizabeth asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

The woman's movements were deliberate, her eyes radiating contempt. "Mr. Norris instructed me to attend to you," she announced, her tone dripping with disrespect.

Elizabeth was stunned by the servant's audacious behavior. Elijah's disdain seemed so profound that even a new employee felt emboldened to treat her with such blatant disregard. It felt less like care and more like managing an inconvenience. While Sandra was known for dramatizing illnesses to garner attention—and Elijah usually went to extraordinary lengths for her—he had coldly delegated his wife's care to a servant during her fever.

"You can leave now. I need to freshen up," Elizabeth said casually, throwing off the covers.

The servant remained motionless. "Mr. Norris instructed you to take the medicine after breakfast," she said.

Elizabeth's voice turned frigid. "Kristopher asked you to care for me, not to issue orders."

The servant's expression shifted. "What do you mean?"

Without hesitation, Elizabeth asserted, "I'm still his wife. I would appreciate a modicum of respect." Seeing the servant's continued silence, she added firmly, "That's enough. You may go now. I won't repeat myself."

The maid glared but didn't dare challenge her, eventually turning and departing.

Alone, Elizabeth exhaled and freshened up. After slipping into clean clothes and grabbing her bag and phone, she headed for the door. The living room was empty. Without hesitation, she booked a ride and slipped out of the house.

The crisp air greeted her, but her momentary relief was interrupted by her incessantly ringing phone. Her steps faltered as she slid into the waiting cab. Sitting in the backseat, she retrieved her phone, her brow furrowing at the caller ID: Oliver.