Chapter 855

The snowfall reminded her of Ethan’s visit to Paris. Ethan, dressed in a black coat, sat on her favorite long wooden bench with snowflakes settling on his shoulders. After brushing them off, he waited for her for a long time.

“Ms. Jent, why are you crying?” Margaret entered and saw Madelyn sitting on the floor with tears streaming down her face. Concerned, Margaret quickly approached and asked, “What happened?” She tried to comfort Madelyn, wiping away her tears.

Madelyn said, “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

Margaret noticed the person in the photo album Madelyn was holding, “Who’s this? She’s so beautiful!”

Eager to get a closer look, she picked up the photo, saying, “She looks like something out of a fairy tale.”

Madelyn replied, “That’s my mom.”

Margaret grinned, “That makes sense. You have that same fairy tale look.”

Only the Jent family’s old servants knew about Alicia, the previous lady of the house.

Madelyn began softly, “My mom was always such a gentle soul. She loved painting and especially loved peonies. Erick planted a whole field of peonies at the manor to make her happy. When they bloomed, the entire place seemed blanketed in them!” At the Jent residence, Margaret was the only person she opened up to. Talking about it felt like she was finally letting out emotions she had kept inside.

“You love painting too. Did you get that from her? What happened to her later?” Margaret asked, piecing things together.

Madelyn hesitated, then whispered, “She… passed away when she had me.”

There was a knock, and a maid said, “Mrs. Jardin, Mr. Jardin’s back.”

Margaret immediately stood. Chatting with Madelyn always felt natural; when they were together, the usual boundaries between employer and employee seemed to disappear. However, Zach’s mere presence was daunting to Margaret, making her uneasy each time they crossed paths.

After parking his car, Zach entered the foyer through the main entrance.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Jardin.”

“Where’s Mrs. Jardin?”

The maid replied, “She’s been upstairs since breakfast.”

With a nod, Zach headed up.

Madelyn hung pictures with Margaret’s help, “Ms. Jent, be careful. I couldn’t bear it if something happens to you.”

“I’ll be careful,” Madelyn said.

Margaret quickly spotted Zach at the doorway. As he gestured for her to leave, she quietly stepped out.

Madelyn, still on the stool, asked, “Is this photo tilted?”

“Looks just right,” Zach replied.

Madelyn, casting a sidelong glance, realized Zach was watching her. He seemed uninterested in the photos. Instead, his entire attention was on her. Holding out his hand, he said, “You should let the maids do this. It’s risky.” Madelyn hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his. With care, he helped her down from the stool.