Chapter 70
SEBASTIAN’S POV
On the lawn, the maids were already gathered, waiting for me to arrive. Their faces were etched with concern and curiosity as they whispered amongst themselves, wondering why I had called such a sudden meeting.
In a corner, my guard was still holding Vivian. She kept on with her futile struggles, tears were already welling up in her eyes. But I wasn’t moved by them. By the time I’m finished with her, she’ll cry a river, that’s if she’ll be able to survive what I’m about to do to her.
As I mounted the platform laid out for me with the breakfast tray still in my hands, I maintained a stern expression. It was high time I stopped being too lenient with these maids. The more I was, the less they feared me and would likely follow Vivian’s footsteps. Amelia and the doctor stood at a considerable distance beside me, facing the crowd.
“I’ve always been a good master to all of you,” I said, my voice carrying weight and authority. The atmosphere fell silent as I spoke, my hardened eyes scanning their faces filled with curiosity and fear. “I’ve provided for you, taken care of you, paid you well, and even listened to your needs. But what I don’t understand is why one of you went behind my back to do something unimaginable.”
They gasped in unison, as if they’d rehearsed it, intense shock flying through their faces.
“Bring her over here!” I directed at my guard who pulled Vivian to where I was on the stage.
“I learnt this morning that she tried to poison my slave – Brianna.”
They interrupted with another gasp, heavier and more intense than the first. Their surprise gazes stuck on Vivian who slumped her head in disgrace and shame, sobs racking from her insides.
“And not just that,” I continued, staring at her in anger and disbelief. “She even had the courage to lie to me,” I held her arm firmly but not aggressively, mindful of my image in front of the other maids. “Why?” I asked, my voice tense as I spoke through clenched teeth. “Why did you try to poison Brianna? Did Catherine say something to you? Did she force you to do this?”
Amelia had said she overheard her and Catherine discussing it. I wanted to know if Catherine had forced her into it. I wanted her to admit it so the other maids would know the kind of woman they had as their Luna. I couldn’t believe Catherine bore such bad intentions in mind. If she could do something like this, then one day she might also think of poisoning me as well.
I kept urging Vivian to speak up. But she wouldn’t. She just kept on sobbing, her tear-stained eyes darting around hopelessly as if expecting someone to show up and redeem her.
“If you won’t talk, then you’ll eat,” my temper was flaring from her silence. “Kneel,” I commanded. But she wouldn’t kneel. So my guards forced her down on her knees.
I took out the avocado toast and gave it to her. If she wouldn’t talk, then she’d have to eat the poison herself. This way, I could confirm if it was actually poisoned. But she refused, tightly pressing her lips together and shaking her head. She was one stubborn and defiant maid.
“I’ve been too lenient with you,” I scolded, and she flinched, squeezing her eyes shut like a scared child. “If you don’t eat this now, I’ll punish you so severely that you’ll regret ever crossing me,” I warned, seeing fear flash raw in her teary eyes when she opened them.
I had no intention of harming her. Even though I felt the urge, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I just needed to confirm if the meal was poisoned. And if it was, the doctor was close by to administer the antidote to her if anything bad happened to her.
With a quivering hand, she took the avocado toast and hesitantly bit into it. I made her swallow it. The whole of it. And then I gave her the smoothie which she drank in the same manner.
A tense silence filled the atmosphere as everyone watched, waiting for the inevitable to happen. Within moments, her face lost all colour, and she began to gasp for air, coughing uncontrollably. Specks of blood rushed out from her mouth, adding to the fear in the atmosphere.
“Quick,” I turned to the doctor. “Administer the antidote.”
My guard carried her to where the doctor and Amelia were and they attended to her.
That confirmed it. That meal was poisoned. And not just any poison, but a strong one, judging from the severe symptoms she was showing. If Brianna had taken that, no doubt she would have died on the spot before anyone could come to her rescue.
I had to start taking strict measures to protect her from Catherine and anyone else who might try to harm her. From today onward, Catherine was banned from going to the cell room. Banned from coming close to her or even talking to her. I couldn’t risk it after she saw what she was capable of. I will make it known to her at once before leaving for my friend’s luncheon. She was probably in the bedroom.
The maids’ faces showed shock, surprise, disbelief, empathy, and sympathy all mixed up in one heck of a mess. Some were almost in tears. I placed the tray I was holding on the floor and composed myself before addressing them.
“Let this serve as a warning for anyone thinking of following in her footsteps. If caught, you’ll face strict punishment and be fired immediately. Starting now, Amelia will handle Brianna’s meals exclusively. No one else! Is that clear?!” I shouted, and they all answered promptly in unison.
“Yes, Alpha Sebastian.”
“Good,” I said. “May the moon goddess help you if any of you ever try to disobey me or do things behind my back.”
Stepping down from the platform, I motioned for the head maid to come as I made my way into the castle. She raced to me, struggling to keep up with my quick strides.
“Once the doctor has administered the antidote and she’s feeling better, give her the resignation letter. Tell her to sign it, pack her belongings and leave my castle at once. I don’t want to see her again once I get back from my friend’s luncheon,” I said sternly, without remorse, leaving the head maid suppressing a gasp as intense astonishment hit her. I stopped just by the entrance of the castle and turned to face her. “Hope I have made myself clear?”
She nodded, too worried or shocked or flustered to use her words.
I jerked my head and made my way in. I needed to confront Catherine and inform her of her ban from entering the cell room again to bother or threaten Brianna.