"Being afraid is good." Janelle's lips curled into a smile, but that smile only made the butler tremble.
He hadn't slept a wink last night. The things he'd done five years ago tormented him endlessly. He was terrified of Janelle's revenge.
But leave the Rovellas?
He refused. Back then, without him, Amber and Lillie would never have entered the Rovellas family so smoothly. Now that they lived comfortably, they wanted to throw him out? Absolutely not.
Lillie came downstairs and frowned upon seeing him.
"Butler, didn't I say? You're getting old. Go back to your hometown and rest."
"What's going on?" Amber was unaware of this.
"The butler really is old. I want him to retire peacefully back home."
The butler knew too much. Keeping him here risked exposing them.
"Alright then. Butler, you've served the Rovellas for over twenty years. I won't treat you unfairly. I'll have the finance department give you a sum of money. Go home."
Westin spoke up too. Since Lillie suggested it, he couldn't refuse. With Janelle back, the butler couldn't stay anyway.
"Sir, I've been with the Rovellas for twenty years! I did everything you asked! You can't just throw me out!"
The butler's heart turned cold. How could they treat him like this?
Westin frowned. What was he implying? Hadn't he paid him a salary all these years? Did he expect to be supported for life?
"Enough. Don't waste your breath. Pack your things and leave immediately."
They were employer and employee. Now, he was fired.
"You… you all…"
The butler never imagined this ending. How could they kick him aside so easily?
"Sir, are you sure you want me gone? The young mistress is investigating what happened five years ago. If she finds out…"
Before he could finish, Westin kicked him hard, sending him sprawling.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Do I need to remind you of your place?"
Westin loathed any mention of the events five years ago. Those memories belonged buried in the past.
"Guards! Throw him out! Don't let him set foot in the Rovellas again!"
Westin dropped the pretense.
"And remember… if you dare spread rumors outside… your son will…"
Westin knew the butler's weakness.
People.
As long as they had a weak spot, they were easy to control, weren't they?
The butler was forcibly ejected from the Rovellas estate, his belongings scattered on the ground by the guards.
He stood at the gates, dignity forgotten, cursing loudly.
Amber emerged, looking down at him like an insect.
"You know what should and shouldn't be said at your age. Keep certain words buried deep inside. Otherwise… don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Madam! How can you treat me like this? If it weren't for me back then, how could you have driven Madalyn out so easily?"
The butler still refused to accept it.
Amber slapped him hard across the face.
"Butler, talking nonsense again? Keep this up, and I'll have no choice but to send you to the psychiatric hospital."
Amber glared at him venomously.
The memory of how she'd driven Madalyn mad sent a chill down the butler's spine.
He regretted it.
If Madalyn were still here, she'd never treat him this way.
After all, he'd watched her grow up.
Seeing the car pull up, Amber wasted no more time. She opened the door and got in.
The butler swayed, unsteady on his feet. Where could a man his age even go?
He tried to go back inside to see if he'd left anything.
But the guards blocked his way.
Fuelled by resentment, he attempted to force his way in, but several guards who'd long disliked him seized the chance.
When he was the Rovellas butler, he'd thrown his weight around, bullying others with his authority.
Now, they wouldn't let him off easily.
Meanwhile, as Janelle left the house, she saw Erik already waiting outside.
"..."
Was this man really up this early just to wait for her?
Erik personally opened the car door for her.
"Heading to Blue Whale? Let me drive you."
"Erik, you don't need to do this. I don't need it."
She had been momentarily tempted by him last night, or perhaps it was just the atmosphere. But it was only a fleeting lapse.
"You haven't bought a car yet, have you? I'm going that way. Don't overthink it."
She planned to go to Imperial Capital after finishing matters here, so buying a car seemed unnecessary for now.
"Since you don't want to see me, why not drive this Cullinan for now?"
"I don't need it." She could afford a car; she just didn't see the point.
"Miss Rovella, you're the boss now. Is taking taxis everywhere appropriate?"
Whether negotiating deals or projects, shouldn't the other party see your capability?
Erik tossed the car keys to her.
Janelle sighed. Seeing the time, she stopped arguing.
She pulled open the driver's door and got in.
Erik's Cullinan was modified, and by an expert. It handled smoothly.
Just as she was about to start the engine, Erik opened the passenger door and slid in.
"What?"
"Keeping you company."
He had nothing else to do in Graham City anyway. Imperial Capital and the border could wait for now.
Letting your opponents grow complacent before striking them down was more fun.
Janelle was punctual. She'd called a meeting for 9 AM today, and she wouldn't be late.
Wasting no more time, she started the car and drove towards Blue Whale.
Erik, in the passenger seat, wasn't idle either. He'd had breakfast prepared before coming.
He now picked up a xiaolongbao (soup dumpling) and held it near her lips.
Janelle steered with one hand, her other arm resting on the window frame.
"What?"
"Bought you breakfast. Focus on driving; I'll feed you." Her stomach wasn't great. Skipping breakfast wasn't an option.
"Open up!"
"..."
What was this man doing?
"Erik, if you're that bored, go back to the border. No need to follow me around here."
The formidable Mr. Lorenz, who struck fear at the border, was here in Graham City feeding her breakfast?
"Miss Rovella, give me some face. My arm's getting sore," Erik insisted.
Janelle opened her mouth and bit into the dumpling he held.
It was bite-sized, perfect for eating in one go. Janelle swallowed it effortlessly.
Erik didn't eat. He leaned back, admiring the way she ate.
She was utterly his type. Even something as mundane as eating held his gaze captive.
When she finished, Erik offered another.
Janelle opened her mouth again, but this time, her teeth accidentally grazed his finger.
Janelle truly hadn't meant to. She'd been checking the traffic light as he offered it.
Her teeth had just… brushed against his skin.