“I don’t care about her curiosity,” Vanessa spat.

“She is a distraction. She does not belong in this house.”

She turned her gaze back to Julian.

“I want her gone, Julian. Send her to an orphanage, or find another housekeeper.”

“Vanessa,” Julian said.

His voice was very quiet now.

He put his phone down on the table with a soft click.

The wedding planners instantly stepped back, their faces pale.

“Claire’s daughter stays,” Julian said.

“We agreed on this when she was hired.”

Vanessa slammed her hand onto the table, making the porcelain rattle.

“I did not agree to it!” she yelled.

“I am going to be the mistress of this house.”

“You are not the mistress yet,” Julian said.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

I stood frozen by the sideboard, holding a silver soup ladle.

Vanessa stared at Julian, her face turning red with anger.

“You are taking her side?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Over me?”

“I am keeping my word,” Julian said.

He stood up, tall and imposing in the dim room.

“The dinner party next week will proceed as planned,” he said.