‘If she discovers I’m his daughter… I need to silence her first.’

Julia Basset screamed hysterically.

“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? How can you walk around so shamelessly after doing such things to patients! Stop living that way! Decent caregivers get a bad reputation because of women like you!”

With that, Julia Basset hurriedly rushed out of the office.

Once Julia disappeared from sight, exhaustion washed over Jacqueline.

‘Today was difficult, but tomorrow will be better.’

She silently repeated the phrase she only used after particularly hard days as she walked out of the office.

Walking down the street, Jacqueline gathered her resolve while looking at the red autumn leaves.

“Surely tomorrow will be better than today.”

* * *

Jacqueline had expected to build rapport with Oscar after their conversation. But almost mocking her expectations, Oscar showed no response whatsoever. 

As a result, even offering two simple greetings became increasingly difficult for Jacqueline.

“Excuse me…”

The cautious attitude of the staff walking on eggshells, the complicated look in Heather’s eyes when he gazed at her. Jacqueline thought this day felt particularly strange. 

The feeling made her anxious too, making her think she should be especially careful today.

“Hello?”

Entering the study, Jacqueline flinched at the sight of Oscar, who seemed more on edge than usual.

‘Is he in a bad mood?’

Oscar had transformed the study into such a forbidding space that it was difficult even to breathe. 

Overwhelmed by his aura, Jacqueline couldn’t bring herself to mention the autumn leaves and simply sat in her chair, watching his reactions carefully. The rustling sound of turning pages was so startling it nearly took her breath away. 

Unconsciously, Jacqueline glanced toward the door, waiting for Heather, who had been the connection between her and Oscar.

However, Heather didn’t appear even when it was time for Jacqueline to leave.

‘No, this is actually better. I should stop relying on Mr. Heather.’

Even though Jacqueline tried to think positively, she knew something had gone wrong. Unable to determine exactly what had happened or why, she simply waited for Oscar’s mood to improve. 

As time passed fruitlessly and Oscar’s unexplained coldness continued, Jacqueline gradually began to tire.

For weeks now, the feeling of going alone to a place where nobody welcomed her was devastating. Though she didn’t want to quit, the reality was that everyone at Hildegard House would be happier if she left.

‘If there’s no progress today, I’ll quit. I was planning to return to school next semester anyway.’

While Jacqueline was seriously contemplating her future, the driver announced they had arrived at their destination.

“We’ve arrived, Miss Carroll.”

“Ah. Thank you again today, Mr. Max.”

Max nodded slightly to Jacqueline, who greeted him with little energy.

“I should be thanking you. And…”

Max, who rarely exchanged more than a few words with Jacqueline, hesitantly opened his mouth.

“Thank you for this.”

With his strong features and taciturn personality, Max was often misunderstood. Aware of this, he always approached people cautiously, particularly refraining from speaking until addressed by difficult clients.

This personality hadn’t been an issue when he was a military driver, but as a civilian, he experienced many ups and downs in his relationships. 

Because of these experiences, he worried that Jacqueline might have misunderstood him all this time.

Fortunately, his sincerity seemed to reach her, and Jacqueline smiled brightly. Max continued bashfully.

“It was delicious.”

“Did the meat pie I gave you last time suit your taste? I thought it might have been a bit salty…”

“It was perfect for my palate. I tend to sweat a lot, so I prefer my food slightly saltier.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jacqueline occasionally made extra food to share with her neighbors. When she noticed that Max often missed proper meals, she started bringing him bread and snacks that could serve as meal substitutes. 

Though initially uncomfortable, Max grew accustomed to accepting them and secretly looked forward to Jacqueline’s packed meals. In fact, for someone with irregular working hours and frequent travel like him, it was a valuable meal.

Max wanted to encourage the dejected Jacqueline but hesitated due to his lack of eloquence. Remembering that he had once been in a similar situation, he couldn’t treat Jacqueline like the other employees did.

‘Eat this yourself! How dare you offer me such filthy street food!’

‘Making the master wait while you stuff your face, working so comfortably?’

‘Do you know how expensive this car is! A car you could never afford in your lifetime, how dare you use it as you please? You’re fired immediately!’

The daughter of his fallen comrade, the only family his friend had entrusted to him before dying on the battlefield, was fighting for her life with a high fever. 

Without thinking of the consequences, Max had taken his employer’s car to rush the child to a hospital in the capital.

He lost both his job and money because of that incident, but Max had no regrets. Even if he could go back to that day, he would make the same choice.

He was supposed to have died on the battlefield anyway. If he could dedicate his borrowed life to saving his friend’s precious child, Max would have been content even if it meant spending the rest of his life in prison.

Afterward, his employer had tried to sue Max for substantial damages for using the car for personal purposes. The person who helped Max then was Oscar von Oestenberg, his former superior in the military.

‘Don’t forget that I too owe my life to Huxley. So helping his family is only natural.’

Few people remembered Huxley’s sacrifice for long or consistently repaid his family. Only his friend Max quietly took responsibility for them. Oscar admired this and welcomed Max as a member of Hildegard House.

Max started to frown at the memory of his former employer’s family but noticed Jacqueline watching him with bright eyes and managed a smile.

“I’ll have to eat properly if only to avoid Miss Carroll’s scolding.”

“My goodness, am I scary?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant!”

“I know. Anyway, thank you for enjoying the food. Your kindness gives me a bit of strength.”

Max had the solid, steadfast character of ebony wood, so rather than being swayed by others’ words, he trusted what he saw and experienced of Jacqueline firsthand. To him, she was the most sociable and radiant person he had ever met.

“Ignore what people say about you.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“You seem unusually down today… Have I said something wrong?”

“Not at all. Hearing you say that, I realize you’re right. I won’t let myself be swayed by what others say.”

Jacqueline gathered her spirits and got out of the car. However, with each step closer to Hildegard House, her heart grew heavier.

‘If today is like that again, I’ll have to tell Mrs. Medwin that I’m quitting.’

Jacqueline had known from the beginning that her capabilities were insufficient for dealing with Oscar von Oestenberg. 

Forcing something that wasn’t working would only make both parties uncomfortable, so it was time to make a decision.

‘This meeting might be our last. I’ll do my best.’

Jacqueline steeled herself.

When she reached the study, Oscar wasn’t there. With a confused expression, Jacqueline asked the head maid.

“Where is Lord von Oestenberg?”

“The master is out. He’ll be back soon, so please wait here. If you need anything, please tell Rita.”

Contrary to Heather’s assurance that he would return soon, Oscar didn’t appear for over an hour. While reading a book, Jacqueline became thirsty and asked the maid named Rita for water.

“Water?”

Rita shook her head with an annoyed expression. Seeing the maid’s attitude, Jacqueline realized it would be difficult to quench her thirst. Yet she couldn’t very well go to the kitchen and ask for water herself.

Jacqueline rarely asked anything of them. It was already hard enough to speak to people who disliked and were uncomfortable with her, but on the rare occasions she did mention needing something, they would pretend to listen but never follow through.

Sure enough, the maid who had been asked for water only handed Jacqueline a glass when it was almost time to leave, saying:

“I forgot. When you suddenly ask for errands while I’m busy, of course I’ll forget. I couldn’t help it. Do you know how much work we have to do here? Someone who just sits around and collects money wouldn’t understand.”

Rita and her colleague waited to see how Jacqueline would react. Even they knew their behavior was rude, and they would have no defense if she slapped them. 

If Jacqueline raised her hand, Rita planned to run straight to her master and say:

‘Master, that woman dared to intimidate an employee of Hildegard House.’

Everything in the mansion belonged to Oscar, including the people. Therefore, she would advise him to immediately expel the ill-mannered woman who had laid hands on what belonged to the master.

‘Perhaps the master will trust me and keep me close.’

Rita always looked for opportunities to win her master’s heart. Finally, the opportunity had arrived. The maid believed that by removing that troublesome woman, she could earn the trust of both Oscar and her colleagues.

‘Come on, get angry. Even better if you hit me.’

Rita glared at Jacqueline, prepared to offer her cheek.

But for Jacqueline, who had experienced all sorts of people while living and working with many others in a textile factory, their scheme seemed merely childish.