Chapter 193
Christian saw firsthand how snobbish the maids were.
Daniella turned to Bianca with tears streaming down her face. “Mom, where am I supposed to live now?”
“There’s an attic on the roof. That’s your new place. Don’t come down unless we say so. It has a bathroom and plenty of space. Move all your stuff up there today and keep it clean.” Bianca’s voice was ice-cold.
Daniella staggered back, almost falling over.
The maid’s room was tiny, but at least someone waited on her there.
Christian’s eyes red, he begged, “Mom, Dad, I was wrong. I won’t lose my temper anymore, I swear. It really wasn’t her fault today.”
Gabriel cut him off, face stern. “These maids have worked here and taken care of her for over 20 years. Today everyone’s complaining about her. Don’t you think that says something about who she is?”
Bianca pulled out her phone and transferred 7,000 dollars to the maid who was hurt as compensation.
Just then, Wyatt and Stephen came downstairs.
Stephen rubbed his eyes, looking confused. “What’s all the commotion so early?”
“Stevie, go grab her phone. Then buy a DNA kit and syringes.” Gabriel was dead set on getting a DNA test today.
Daniella was still reeling from the sudden fall from grace. At Gabriel’s words, her eyes filled with confusion.
“Got it.” Stephen instantly caught on.
“Which room is hers?” he asked the maids as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
The maid who’d just gotten paid quickly said, “I’ll show you.”
As Stephen started following the maid to get Daniella’s phone, she grabbed his wrist.
“Stevie, please, talk to Mom and Dad. I know I messed up, I really do. I did spend the money. I bought an apartment for my favorite star and blew millions of dollars on games.
“To keep up my rich girl rep in the game, I’d drop over three million dollars on in-game events.” She knelt on the floor, clutching his wrist and sobbing uncontrollably.
Stephen recoiled in disgust and wrenched his hand free.
Wyatt studied her with rheumy eyes for a long moment. “With all the coddling you’ve had here, even the maids loathe you enough to keep a running tally of your misdeeds. That tells me your true nature is branded into their memories.”
With so many maids around, there was no hiding how she’d bullied Abigail.
And she’d done it brazenly, secure in her favored status.
The maids might be hired help, but they noticed everything and followed her lead.
Daniella’s sobs came out as choked gasps.
“Sure, you’ll claim this is all a misunderstanding,” Gabriel drawled. “But here’s the deal. Pray the DNA test proves you’re our flesh and blood. If not, the attic’s your new home, and you’ll pay every cent back. We’ll audit every asset in your name.”
He let the threat hang. “Abby took the rap for you, but the law doesn’t care about scapegoats. This scandal was bound to blow up. We’d rather cut our losses and send you to jail.”
Daniella crumpled to the floor.
Bianca averted her gaze—compassion warred with revulsion.
Last night she’d felt disappointment. Today, the maids’ accounts left her chilled.
“I warned you,” Gabriel said, stalking toward the sofa. “If these results don’t match the ones from years ago, I’ll dig until I find the truth.
“In the meantime, pray you’re innocent. Because if we had to send our real daughter to prison because of your lies, you’ll wish you’d never been born.”
Stephen trailed the maid into the maids’ quarters.
One by one, the family dispersed.
Daniella stayed kneeling, only snapping out when Christian called repeatedly.
“Chris, I messed up,” she whimpered.
Christian’s eyes welled with remorse. “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t lost my temper, they wouldn’t have turned on you.”
At that, Daniella erupted into gut-wrenching wails.
The grief was raw, the injustice palpable.
She’d done nothing, said nothing, and yet they’d torn her life apart.
It has to be Abigail’s doing. Those maids must be bought and paid for, she thought.