Chapter 8

Suzan and Kathryn hadn’t even made it through the Bryant family’s front door when the butler politely showed them out, an incident that went unnoticed by the few members of the Bryant household Inside the villa.

Meanwhile, having lost face over the recent quarrel, Springer took Amber out of the villa. As they strolled down the garden path, he tried to comfort her.

“Amber, don’t fret about it. Horace plays favorites. That’s all there is to it. You gave up your room, and he still talked that nonsense. He’s found his long–lost darling sister, and so what? Big deal,”

Amber sighed gently. “Springer, I know you mean well, but let’s not talk like that anymore. I was never truly a Bryant, to begin with. Everything I have should belong to Winnie. Horace isn’t wrong in saying so…”

“Nonsense! To me, Amber, you’re the only sister I’ve got. That Winnie means nothing to me!”

They chatted as they walked until they were interrupted by Winnie’s voice.

“I sense some evilness clinging to this maid. If left unchecked, it could disrupt the family’s fortune. Dad, if you would cover the cost of thirty thousand dollars, I can clear it.”

They turned to see Winnie earnestly holding up three fingers to Dotty, the maid.

Her initial reason for stopping Dotty was to address the evilness she had sensed. As the uninvolved parties were gone, it was time for business.

Even though Winnie had returned to the Bryant family, she didn’t feel right just asking for money without working for it. This situation was perfect. She could clear some evilness and earn her college tuition in one go.

Even in a family, there should be clear accounts.

Clifford and Horace were surprised at her sudden shift to monetizing her “skills.” After all, exorcism and esoteric arts seemed out of character for Winnie.

They assumed she was angling for some extra cash under the guise of exorcism.

Feeling a twinge of pity, Horace quickly whipped out his phone, ready to transfer the money. “Is thirty thousand enough? I’ll send you a hundred thousand. And if that’s not enough, ask for more.”

Not to be outdone by his son, Clifford also reached for his phone, intending to transfer three hundred thousand, certainly more than his son would offer. But then he realized he didn’t even have his daughter’s contact information.

Winnie knew they were misunderstanding her intent.

“I’m serious.” she explained.

16:35 Chapter B “Sure, sure.” Horace said with an indulgent smile, his tone full of understanding.

Caught off guard at first, Dotty quickly played along. “If Miss Winnie says I’ve got some evilness in me, please help me clear it.”

Winnie was speechless. Couldn’t the adults take her profession a bit more seriously?

Yet, this wasn’t the first time Winnie had encountered such reactions.

She was about to clarity when Springer couldn’t help but snort derisively.

Springer couldn’t hold it, despite having been reprimanded earlier. He couldn’t stomach Winnie’s behavior.

Amber quickly caught up, tugging at Springer’s arm with embarrassment. Then she explained. “Winnie, Springer didn’t mean it. Don’t hold it against him.”

Winnie glanced over them without much interest and turned back to Dotty, saying. “Your marital line is broken, indicating you lost your husband. You have a son, and from your appearance, he’s going through a financial crisis.”

Winnie wasn’t an expert in face reading but could give fundamental insights.

Even the most basic reading surprised Dotty, especially about her son being in a financial crisis. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes.

Winnie continued. “The evilness in your body wouldn’t influence the Bryant family, but I sense a slight connection between your fate and theirs. You’ve stolen the Bryant family’s fortune.” She delivered the last accusation with conviction.

Dotty shuddered violently.

“No, it’s impossible. She’s talking nonsense. How could she possibly know it?” Dotty thought. Clifford and Horace had been listening as if it were all child’s play, but at the seriousness in her tone, they began to look at her more seriously.

Surprised by Dotty’s reaction, Amber stammered, “You’re saying Dotty stole from the Bryant family?”

She seemed to be in disbelief and tried to defend Dotty. “It must be a misunderstanding. Dotty has worked for the Bryant family for nearly a decade. How could she possibly do such a thing?” Dotty looked stricken at the implication, pleading with a pained expression, “Miss Winnie, your can’t toss around such accusations like that. How could I possibly steal from the Bryant family? Everyone knows me here. I’m not that kind of person.”

She then turned to Springer, almost in tears. “Mr. Springer, you believe me, don’t you? I would never do such a thing. I…”

Showing typical youthful impulsiveness, and having been raised under Dotty’s care.

16:36.

Springer shot Winnie a glare, raising his voice in defense of Dotty, “How could you accuse Dotty of stealing? It’s your first day back at the Bryant family. What do you know Did you come here making wild accusations to extort a few grand from Uncle Clifford? That’s low, even for you!”

To Springer, Winnie was only a stranger he’d just met, whereas Dotty was a trusted figure who had been part of the Bryant family for years. His loyalty lay with Dotty, and his opinion of this so–called cousin fell even further.

Sensing the tension, Amber interjected, “There must be some misunderstanding here. Did Dotty do something to upset you, Winnie?”

Her words were with the suggestion that Winnie might be using her influence to settle a personal score.

At the sound of Amber’s voice, Dotty burst into tears as if struck by a sudden realization.

“Miss Winnie, I know you’re upset because Mrs. Henderson mistook me for your birth mother earlier. I’m of lowly status. How could I possibly be compared to someone of your standing? Understandably, you are upset. But you can’t slander me like this. I’m an old woman, and your words could be the death of me!”

TAGA Springer shot Winnie a glare, raising his voice in defense of Dolly, “How could you accuse Dotty of stealing? It’s your first day back at the Bryant family. What do you know? Did you come here making wild accusations to extort a few grand from Uncle Clifford? That’s low, even for you!”

To Springer, Winnie was only a stranger he’d just met, whereas Dotty was a trusted figure who had been part of the Bryant family for years His loyalty lay with Dotty, and his opinion of this so–called cousin fell even further.

Sensing the tension, Amber Interjected, “There must be some misunderstanding here. Did Dotty do something to upset you, Winnie?”

Her words were with the suggestion that Winnie might be using her influence to settle a personal score.

At the sound of Amber’s volce, Dotty burst into tears as if struck by a sudden realization.

“Miss Winnie, I know you’re upset because Mrs. Henderson mistook me for your birth mother earlier. I’m of lowly status. How could I possibly be compared to someone of your standing? Understandably, you are upset. But you can’t slander me like this. I’m an old woman, and your words could be the death of me!”