She was talking about me.

“Always watching, always sniffing around where she doesn’t belong.”

She jammed the silver key into her apron pocket.

Then, her phone vibrated on the vanity.

She turned away from the wardrobe and snatched the device.

“Yes,” she said, her voice dropping to a low, harsh whisper.

I strained my ears to hear.

“The boy is quiet today,” she said.

“I gave him the tea before lunch.”

She walked toward the window, her back to me.

“Matteo is growing suspicious, but he suspects the kitchen staff, not me.”

There was a pause as the person on the other end spoke.

“I know what is at stake,” Mrs. Higgins said, her voice sharpening.

“I will double the dose if I have to.”

“But I want the rest of the payment wired to the offshore account by tomorrow.”

Another pause.

“He won’t die,” she said coldly.

“He will just never be fit to take the seat.”

“Matteo will have no choice but to step aside when the board sees the state of his only heir.”

My stomach turned over.