Madisyn’s gaze, icy and pointed, shifted to Kristine.


    “Kristine, don’t you think you should apologize now?”


    Kristine’s posture stiffened under the scrutiny, but she managed to muster an apologetic tone.


    “I’m sorry, Madisyn.


    I should have investigated properly.


    ”


    “You shouldn’t be apologizing to me,” Madisyn retorted sharply.


    Apologize to Fiona? But she was just a maid… Was that really necessary?


    Yet, with the eyes of everyone in the room upon her, pride had to be swallowed.


    “Fiona, I’m sorry for wrongly using you.


    ”


    “The bet?” Madisyn interjected, a reminder hanging in the air.


    Kristine remembered her rash wager.novelbin


    Her entire collection of jewelry was now Fiona’s.


    The collection of jewelry, amassed over the years and worth millions of dors, was now a token of her costly mistake.


    Reluctantly, she instructed someone to bring her jewelry pieces to Fiona.


    Fiona epted the jewelry pieces without hesitation.


    Having been wrongly used, she felt no obligation to decline the gesture.


    As she rose to leave,


    Madisyn interjected, “Just a moment.


    ”


    She stepped forward, a proposition ready.


    “Fiona, would you like to stay and be my personal maid?”


    Surprised, Fiona looked at Madisyn.


    The first time she saw Madisyn, she had found her endearing.


    After a brief consideration, Fiona agreed.


    “Sure!”


    Madisyn’s slight smile was mirrored by ine’s pleased expression.


    “Fiona, you are attentive and considerate.


    We’d hate to see you go.


    So from now on, you’ll look after Madisyn.


    ”


    “Thank you, Mrs.


    Johns,” Fiona responded gratefully.


    ine then turned a stern gaze on Lynda.


    “Lynda, I know you’re close with Kristine, but I treat all my children equally.


    I have full confidence that Madisyn isn’t the type of person to harm another.


    ”


    “I understand,” Lynda, embarrassed, murmured.


    While ine resolved to uncover the true thief, Kristine immediately volunteered, “Mom, let me make things right by doing the investigation personally.


    ”


    “Very well!” ine agreed.


    Feeling the weight of awkwardness, Lynda made a quick exit.


    As the tension in the room dissipated, Madisyn headed towards the exit.


    ine, noticing her departure, inquired with a touch of curiosity, “Sweetheart, where are you off to? Would you like me toe with you?”