Chapter 33
Chapter 33
The servant’s face reddened, but the thought of her well-paying position kept her temper in check. “Mr. Bennett,” she said tightly, “we’ve served the Bennett family for decades. We don’t steal.
“Ms. Bennett told Mrs. Bennett that seeing those things reminded her of the eighteen hard years she spent away. So Mrs. Bennett ordered us to throw everything out. These scraps were all we could save.”
Lucas looked through the box, finding only what the servant had mentioned-some dog-eared paperbacks and faded photographs.
Lucas questioned the servants automatically, though he knew they were innocent. These were long-term employees who wouldn’t risk stealing. What truly bothered him was his own complicity-he’d been present when his mother ordered Emily’s things discarded, but had conveniently forgotten over time.
Lucas stood rigid with pent-up frustration, his gaze falling on a half-opened box lying on the floor. Without thinking, he lashed out with his foot. “Clear this garbage away,” he ordered sharply. “It’s taking up too much space.”
What does it matter if we throw her things out? The Bennetts can always buy replacements. And Emily has always loved shopping more than anything anyway,’ he told himself.
The servant scooped up the box without raising her eyes. As she turned, she allowed herself a discreet eye roll.
To throw away Ms. Harper’s things without even telling her? Fortunately, Ms. Harper has already checked the items and shown no concern, or she would be upset later,’ the servant thought bitterly.
And so, the final remnants of Emily’s possessions were erased from the Bennett residence.
Actually, Emily wouldn’t be bothered. She’d long since stopped thinking of those things as hers. What the Bennetts did with them now was no longer her concern.
**
On the morning of the party, Emily awoke early out of longstanding habit, but made no haste to leave her room.
Aware of how unwelcome her presence would be, she first confirmed the family’s gathering time with the butler. Then, with careful timing, she stepped out of her room exactly ten minutes early.
Emily had no desire to ride with the Bennetts, but walking to the Hiltin Hotel was impossible, and without her paycheck, a taxi was out of the question. Besides, she was afraid that showing up alone would make Charles suspicious.
But when she stepped into the driveway, she only discovered the family had departed thirty minutes earlier.
The butler shifted uneasily, unable to meet her eyes. “Ms. Bennett insisted on reviewing the hotel preparations personally, so they decided to leave early.”
He had meant to tell Emily, but Lydia swore him to secrecy, calling it a surprise.
Their abrupt departure didn’t surprise her-the Bennetts had left her behind more times than she could count. Her only worry was Charles’s reaction if she arrived late. Steeling herself, she decided to borrow cab fare from the butler.
His shocked expression spoke volumes. Every Bennett heir carried a card with a thirty-thousand-dollar monthly allowance. The idea of one asking to borrow money was unthinkable.
The butler’s expression softened with pity as he suddenly recalled something. Reaching into his pocket, he produced several crumpled bills and extended them toward Emily.
1/2
Chapter 33
Emily averted her gaze as she accepted the money, promising to repay him before month’s end. Without another word, she turned and left to hail a cab.
The Hiltin Hotel stood as one of Cloudridge’s most prestigious establishments. In the past, Emily would have swept through the VIP entrance without hesitation. Now she found herself barred at the main doors.