Chapter 167
Helena sat in her wheelchair, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Eleanor’s expression was incredibly grim as well, but she maintained her composure much better than Helena.
Suddenly, Eleanor’s expression shifted. She whipped her head toward the young maid who had brought the tray earlier, snapping fiercely, “It was you! How absolutely dare you! You even had the audacity to try and harm Arthur p>
The young maid’s shoulders jumped in terror. She clearly hadn’t expected such a massive, fatal accusation to suddenly land squarely on her shoulders.
“N-No… I didn’t… I p>
Helena instantly caught on and chimed in loudly, “Yes, it was her! She grabbed the herbs, and she prepared the tools! Aside from her, who else in this room could have possibly pulled off such a stunt p>
The young maid’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees in front of Arthur, bursting into a flood of desperate tears.
“Sir, I didn’t! I truly had no intention of hurting you! It was p>
“Shut your mouth!” Eleanor interrupted her sharply, her vicious glare carrying a warning only the two of them could fully grasp.
“Back then, your mother begged me on her knees, crying that your family couldn’t afford food. She begged me to throw you a lifeline, and that is the only reason I allowed you to work here. You have everything today simply because you have a good mother p>
She glared down at the maid, enunciating every single word. “Your mother loves you dearly. You had better think very carefully before you speak p>
The young maid froze, her vision blurred by tears.
Staring at the unveiled threat in Eleanor’s eyes, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head.
She opened her mouth, but her throat felt as though it had been clamped shut, completely incapable of making a sound.
Everyone in the room stared down at her.
After a long agonizing moment, the young maid finally lowered her head. Her shoulders hitched violently as she gritted her teeth and confessed, “It… It was me. I was helping out in the kitchen today, and I accidentally spilled some white vinegar into the herbs.
“I had no idea it would cause such a disaster… Sir, please forgive me this once! I’ll never make a mistake like this again p>
Arthur exhaled heavily. His piercing gaze shifted from the sobbing maid back to Eleanor, lingering before snapping back, offering zero leniency.
“The pharmacy and the kitchen are a million miles apart. If you can make a mistake like that, it tells me exactly what your work ethic is like.
“The Sterling family has no use for someone so utterly reckless. Pack your bags and get out. Immediately p>
Upon hearing that, the maid wailed in utter despair. “Sir, please, I beg you! My entire family relies on me to survive! I have an elderly mother who can’t even get out of bed! I can’t lose this job, ah p>
Before the young maid could finish her plea, the bodyguards had already dragged her away.
Arthur turned his attention back to Sienna. The chilling fury on his face instantly melted back into warm affection.
“My girl, I’m exhausted. I’d love to eat some of those Osmanthus Rice Cakes you used to make for me. Could you p>
Seeing the faint mist welling up in the old man’s eyes, Sienna felt a gentle tug at her own heartstrings.
A soft smile curled her lips, her voice far warmer than before. “Of course. I’ll go make some for you right now p>
Sienna turned around and followed a staff member toward the kitchen.
As she walked out the door, she could hear Arthur ordering everyone else to leave as well.
Eleanor and the rest filtered out of the room shortly after.
Sienna didn’t look back. Her pace was unhurried, but her mind was racing ten times faster.
She knew exactly what had happened today—the young maid was nothing more than a convenient scapegoat.
It was just heartbreaking that Grandpa had become an unwitting pawn in their sick game.
Once the room finally emptied out, Arthur leaned against his pillows and closed his eyes for a moment. He suddenly spoke. “Clayton, what do you think about me trying to push Jarred and Sienna back together p>
Dr. Clayton was in the middle of putting his stethoscope away. Hearing the question, his hands paused.