The nanny, responsible for looking after the young master and miss was at her witsâ end.
âEllinor, Adrian and Layla are fighting over toys, and we canât stop them. Every time we try to intervene, they throw tantrums.â
Ellinor massaged her temples, feeling a surge of frustration. Recently, she had been too busy to properly discipline these two little rascals, and their tempers seemed to be growing worse by the day.
âEnough! Have you two decided to make my life miserable today?â
Upon hearing their motherâs stern voice, the two little ones fell silent.
Ellinor pulled Adrian and Layla aside, gave them a stern talk, and then punished them by banning snacks for a whole month.
The news of the snack ban led both Adrian and Layla to wear expressions of utter dismay.
Ellinor didnât relent. She handed them some worksheets from preschool and ordered them to practice their spelling. She would check their work later. After being punished by their mother, Adrian and Layla, despite their reluctance, obediently began to practice their English spelling.
Having dealt with the two children, Ellinor exited the room, ready to give Baber his two bags of snacks.
Just then, the housemaid approached her. âEllinor, Old Mrs. Blanchetâs servant came by earlier. She wants you to pay her a visit. It seems she has something to discuss with you.â
Her grandmother wanted to see her?
Ellinor felt a bit apprehensive. She was worried about what her grandmother might have found out.
After a moment of thought, she asked the maid, âWhereâs Baber? Have you found him?â
âYes, young master Baber is taking a nap in his room. Donât worry, Ellinor; he is fine. You should go see Old Mrs. Blanchet first.â
Ellinor finally felt a bit relieved and nodded. âAlright. Could you take the two bags of snacks to Baber later?â
âYes, Ellinor.â
After giving instructions to the maid, Ellinor turned to leave for Old Mrs. Blanchetâs room.
After watching Ellinor disappear, the maid held the two bags of snacks, ready to deliver them to Baber.
Just then, another maid passed by. âMaster Baber is napping now. Donât disturb him. You can deliver the snacks later. Letâs go clean the staircase first. The master will be unhappy if he wakes up and sees dust!â
The first maid agreed and placed the two snack bags on a cabinet, intending to deliver them later.
As the two maids left to clean, the nanny, who was caring for Adrian and Layla, came out of the room to fetch some water for the little ones. She noticed, the two bags of snacks on the cabinet. Remembering Ellinorâs punishment, she quickly hid them to prevent Adrian and Layla from seeing them and causing a commotion.
Sophia finished cooking lunch, intending to invite her father to join them and sample her culinary skills.
However, her fatherâs assistant informed her he had left for an engagement that afternoon.
When she asked about the matter, the assistant remained tight-lipped. But Sophia had a hunch about what it might be.
If it were work-related, there would be no need to hide it from her. Thus, she concluded that her father must be out searching for Bertha and Lea.
She scoffed at the thought of her father being so enraptured by Bertha. Given his status, any woman would be at his feet; even young girls in their late teens would swoon for him.
She couldnât understand her fatherâs obsession with Bertha. She was nothing but an aging woman past her prime.
Though Sophia was annoyed, it wasnât her place to question her fatherâs actions. She returned to call Marcus and Tristan for lunch.