The Truth

Ch.10: Turns Out

Sunday was supposed to be my sanctuary of peace, a break from the incessant barrage of calls and demands. Instead, it had turned into just another day of interruptions. I had given Alessia my credit card, allowing her to squander millions she couldn't even fathom in seconds. I could afford it, but it was tiresome to keep track of her excesses.

As I settled into what should have been a quiet afternoon, a knock on my office door pulled me from my thoughts. I expected it to be Louis, my right-hand man, but it was Angelica, the new maid. She stood in the doorway with the reports in hand, a look of apprehension written all over her face. Louis was occupied with some business with Chloe, so I supposed this was her attempt to deliver the documents.

"Hmh," I grunted, accepting the papers from her. I half-expected her to turn and leave immediately, but she hesitated, fidgeting nervously.

Was I truly so terrifying that a maid couldn't even breathe properly in my presence? I briefly wondered if she was here to ask for a salary advance or some other compensation, as that was a common request among those in her position. But no, she simply stood there, staring at me with a mix of fear and resolve. It was a first for me-a maid having the audacity to confront me directly.

"Sir..." she began, her voice trembling. I didn't look up from the documents, my focus still on the papers in front of me.

"I know you might not believe me, but I just wanted to get it off my heart. I felt guilty keeping it," she continued, her words growing more urgent.

I looked up, curious now. Was this some kind of confession of wrongdoing or a plea for sympathy? I had heard plenty of these, but the straightforwardness of her tone caught me off guard.

"Lady Alessia is having an affair with Tyson," she blurted out.

My expression hardened, though I wasn't entirely surprised. I had suspected as much for a while now. It wasn't the revelation that startled me, but rather the fact that Angelica, a maid, was brave-or foolish-enough to risk her own neck by sharing this information.

"Anything else?" I asked, my voice flat and impassive. The question clearly threw her off balance.

Her eyes widened, and she seemed momentarily at a loss for words. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head, processing the gravity of what she had just done.

"No, sir," she finally managed to stammer.

"Very well," I said, dismissing her with a nod. I returned to the reports, my mind already racing through the implications of her revelation. The knowledge that Alessia was unfaithful was not new to me, but hearing it confirmed by someone inside the household added a different layer to the situation.

As Angelica left, I couldn't shake the feeling that her boldness was either a sign of incredible courage or sheer recklessness. Either way, she had just thrust herself into a precarious situation, and I wondered how she would handle the repercussions of her actions. For now, I had to deal with the aftermath of this betrayal and the chaos it would inevitably bring.

"So, what do you think of this dress?"

Alessia asked, striking a pose in front of me. Her movements were fluid, almost theatrical. I flicked my gaze between the dress and my computer screen. Alessia was undeniably attractive, but right now, she seemed about as appealing as a flea-ridden alley cat.

"Hmh."

I responded for what felt like the seventh time. Alessia's frown deepened, but she pressed on, spinning and flaunting the dress as if it were her life's work.

Was she trying to seduce me with this? It was almost laughable. I had more pressing concerns-business deals, financial reports, and the mess that was my personal life. Her little display wasn't even on my radar.

I hadn't mentioned her affair with Tyson, nor did I plan to. There were more important issues to tackle than dealing with her petty theatrics.