Upon hearing Nellie’s words, Richard grinned slyly. He was pleased with her tactics against Yvette, though he thought they weren’t harsh enough.


    Nellie was well aware of Richard’s vindictive nature. She thought, I’m not worried about him revealing any secrets. Given how Yvette disrespected him yesterday, I’m certain Richard would want her to see her embarrass herself even more than I


    do


    Richard and Nellie exchanged knowing smiles. Each was harboring their own ns.


    Winona saw Richard and Nellie smiling at one another as she entered but pretended she hadn’t noticed. “Mr. Griffin, Mom,” Winona greeted Richard before she greeted Nellie, and this tiny act of putting him first allowed her to make points with


    him.


    Besides the Cyanbird painting. Richard’s apprentice Winona gratified him greatly. Thus, smiling at her tenderly, he asked, “Winona, how did you sleepst night?”


    Winona smiled warmly. “Mr. Griffin, please don’tugh at me, but I’ve been so thrilled about officially bing your apprentice today that I couldn’t sleep all night.”


    Richardughed heartily when he heard this, and his gaze toward Winona grew kinder and more doting


    Nellie was pleased with how well Winona could read the situation and gratify Richard. She then thought, ‘I feel reassured my efforts in raising Winona didn’t go to waste. I’m confident she’ll be Zeke’s best support in the future.


    What could Yvette possibly have topare with Winona? After today, she’ll be Seacrity’sughing stock and only be able to live in obscurity.


    Winona exchanged polite small talks with Richard before turning to Nellie, who sipped coffee on the side. “Mom, I heard from Lora that you sent the makeup artist we hired to Yvie?” Winona asked.


    She was careful not to mention Yvette by her first name because she seemed sweet and considerate to Richard and had to keep up that persona.


    Nellie shot Richard a mysterious look, and they shared a tacit understanding. However, that left Winona utterly confused. wondering. “Why would Mom be so kind as to send my makeup artist to Yvette? I can’t make sense of it.


    Richard, who had already figured out why, spoke to the perplexed Winona, “What’s wrong, Winona? Are you upset about that arrangement? Are you unhappy?”


    Winona immediately shook her head. Worried she’d be misunderstood, she replied hurriedly, “Mr. Griffin, why would I be? It’s an honor Yvie chose my makeup artist. I’m just puzzled about the change. Why can’t her styliste all of a sudden? That’s why I’m asking.”


    Nellie casually informed Winona, “Oh, Yvette’s makeup artist had a car ident and can’te.”


    Winona’s heart sank when she noticed Nellie’s expression and suspected mentally, “Wait, the makeup artist was involved in a car ident? The chances of that happening are incredibly low yet, it just happened? Mom must have orchestrated this


    somehow.


    Looking back on past events, Mom couldn’t have aplished all those things all by herself. Could it be that her secret lover is involved again?


    I have long known that Mom has a secret lover. I’ve tried to investigate, but she’s always very discreet, and I don’t want to be too obvious while investigating either. So, even now, I have no clue who this person is. I have no leads at all!


    Winona watched Nellie and Richard sip their coffee, lowered her head slightly, and didn’t ask any further.


    Π


    Meanwhile, in the main-mansion’s living room, Yvette had already gotten up at five in the morning for a run but avoided everyone on her way out and back.


    No one knew Yvette had gone out, and when she returned and woke up after taking a quick nap, everyone assumed she had just woken up then.


    Lucas rested for a while in the mansion before getting dressed in his uniform. That’s when he met Yvette, who wasing


    down the stairs.


    Still dressed in her unbranded tracksuit and canvas shoes, Yvette’s attire seemed mismatched to her exquisitely beautiful face. Despite that, Lucas greeted her respectfully, “Miss, shall I prepare breakfast for you?”


    Technically, it was almost noon, but Lucas thought Yvette had just woken up so he asked if she wanted breakfast.


    Yvette casually slipped her hands into her pockets. Then, she pulled out a piece of vani toffee with her slender fingers, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. She did that all while staring at Lucas wordlessly.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Lucas felt uneasy under her gaze. What is that look from Ms. Zeller? Did I leave something on my face just now when I was rushing? he wondered anxiously while touching his face.


    Yvette paused noticing Lucas fiddling with his face. Subsequently, she reached into her pocket again and tossed him another piece of candy.


    Lucas instinctively caught the candy Yvette threw his way with an incredulous expression. At my age, I really shouldn’t be eating these, especially since my teeth can’t handle it.


    “Go ahead and eat it. Your heart isn’t getting enough blood flow. If you don’t take care, you won’tst more than a couple of years, Yvette warned.


    Lucas couldn’t help but chuckle. Although his heart had minor issues, it wasn’t as serious as Yvette made it out to be. Yet, when he saw her seriousness, he was shaken up and thought he’d better get it checked after the banquet. Little did he know, this simple act would end up saving his life.


    Yvette eyed the candy in Lucas’ hand before nodding at him to take it. Lucas had long noticed Yvette’s special fondness for this candy. He knew she really liked it. Therefore, not wanting to refuse her kind gesture, he unwrapped the candy and put it in his mouth, even if it meant risking his teeth.


    Lucas thought it was hard candy. However, to his surprise, the candy dissolved in his mouth immediately. It smelled sweet at first but had a slightly medicinal taste. Despite that, it wasn’t bad, in fact, it was quite refreshing. After finishing it, Lucas even smacked his lips, savoring the aftertaste.


    Seeing Lucas had eaten it, Yvette went to the living room wordlessly but paused before a painting on the wall. Her expression was calm, but in her eyes was an inexplicably profound look with a hint of coldness. ‘Oh, Zachary… Ah, never mind, just a reminder would suffice,’ she thought.


    Yvette nced back at Lucas, who still stood dumbfoundedly at the bottom of the stairs. Then, she looked upward and spoke with an icy tone, “I suggest you take that painting down.”


    Hearing Yvette’s voice brought Lucas back to reality. Ah, I must have looked so silly being immersed while enjoying a piece of candy. Oh, I’m so embarrassed, he thought.


    Abashedly, Lucas walked over to Yvette. “Ms. Zeller, pardon me. What did you say? I didn’t quite hear you.”


    Yvette tried to stay patient and repeated herself, “Take this Cyanbird painting down.”


    Lucas was shocked and pondered, “Take it down? How could I? Mrs. Chambers has stressed many! ced in the most noticeable spot so every guest can see it immediately,


    that it should be


    ‘Ms. Zeller wouldn’t say such a thing without reason. Before, I might have suspected her of jealousy, but now I don’t think that’s the case. What could be the reason then? Why does she want me to take it down?’


    Lucas was puzzled, but taking it down was not an option. Therefore, he could only patiently exin to Yvette, “Ms. Zeller, I’m afraid we can’t take the painting down. Both Mrs. Chambers and Mr. Griffin insisted strongly that it stay here. It was. specially prepared for today’s banquet.”


    Yvette nced at the central painting again. With a meaningful gaze, she lowered her voice and said, “Oh, then suit yourselves.”