Chapter 78: Something Tastes Off

After more than an hour, George returned with Deborah by his side. In the living room, Raquel greeted them, “Mr. and Mrs. Quixall, you’re back? Who’s taking care of Jesse?”

George pulled out a chair and sat down. “Joseph is with him. I can rest easy knowing that.” Bringing Deborah back this time was a decision made after careful consideration. Deborah had spent countless nights awake, caring for Jesse, and since his illness, she hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep. She needed to return home and recharge so she could look after him more effectively moving forward.

A trace of unease flickered across Raquel’s face. “Then I’ll go keep Caleb company tomorrow. Mrs. Quixall shouldn’t have to bear this burden alone. Someone else needs to take over her shifts.”

George waved his hand. “Yelena has already said she’ll go tomorrow. Even if you want to go, you’ll have to wait until the day after.”

“Oh…” Raquel lowered her head, lost in her own thoughts. Deborah picked up her cup of tea and took a light sip. “Hmm? Something tastes off. Didn’t Seiren brew this?”

Agnes stepped forward with an uneasy smile. “Mrs. Quixall, I’m terribly sorry, but I brewed the tea tonight.”

Deborah responded casually, “Seiren usually takes care of the tea. Why the change tonight? Has she taken leave to visit her family?”

Agnes hesitated. “Well, about Seiren, she…”

Deborah immediately stood up. “What happened to Seiren? Tell me quickly!”

George furrowed his brows. “Agnes, say what you need to. You’ve been with the Quixall family for years. You should understand our expectations by now.”

Agnes clenched her teeth and replied, “Seiren is unwell. She’s currently resting in her room!”

Deborah’s face instantly shifted to one of concern when she heard that. “Go check on her!”

She briskly headed toward Seiren’s room. Given that the others didn’t have a great relationship with Seiren, they chose not to follow. George mumbled, “She’s just a housekeeper. There’s no need to make a fuss…”

Raquel’s face briefly paled as she balled her fists. George, oblivious to her reaction, continued to enjoy his tea, appreciating Agnes’ skill in making it. To him, Seiren was just an ordinary, naive maid, and he couldn’t understand why his wife thought so highly of her.

Outside Seiren’s room, Deborah knocked gently on the door. “Seiren, are you in there? I heard you weren’t feeling well, so I came to check on you!”

Seiren shivered under her blanket. She had heard someone was coming to check on her, but she hadn’t expected it to be Deborah. What should I do? I’m only pretending to be sick. If Mrs. Quixall finds out… But there was no time to dwell on the thought. She quickly composed herself and responded weakly, “The door’s open. Please come in.”

The door creaked open. Deborah entered and took her hand in hers. “Your hands are freezing! You should at least use heat pads to warm up your bed.”

Seiren, her face pale, coughed a few times. “I can’t find it…”

“Tell me where it is. I’ll find it for you!” Deborah exclaimed in a flurry of concern, pacing around the room. From the moment she met Seiren, Deborah had felt an inexplicable connection to the young girl. Over the past year, she had come to care for her as if she were her own daughter. Now, seeing Seiren in such distress, a heavy weight settled on Deborah’s heart, filling her with sorrow.

Seiren shook her head. “Mrs. Quixall, you don’t need to treat me this well. I’m just a housekeeper.”

Deborah took hold of her hand again. “Why shouldn’t I? Once you’ve recovered, I’m planning to make you my goddaughter!”