The Heiress's Second Chance At Vengeance (Eliza) novel Chapter 559

Chapter 559 The Weight of Authority

When none of them dared speak the truth, Cramer shot his secretary a look. The secretary immediately signaled for the bodyguards.

At the sight of them, the maids dropped to their knees in panic.

“We’re sorry, Mr. Cullinan! We didn’t mean it, truly! Forgive us!”

“Yes, yes–it was Miss Vivian! She told us not to say anything!”

They shoved the blame onto Vivian at once.

But Vivian didn’t argue. She only stood quietly before Cramer, like a frightened little deer.

Cramer’s gaze shifted from the maids to her.

He knew his servants‘ character well enough–petty and self–serving. Clearly, they were framing Vivian. Yet she said nothing to defend herself.

In the past, he would have seized the chance to condemn her. Whether the claims were true or not, he’d have written her off.

But this time, almost against his own nature, he gave her an opening.

“Tell me,” he said evenly, “what really happened?”

Vivian blinked in surprise. She hadn’t thought he would ever give her the chance to speak.

She looked at the maids trembling on the floor, terrified of his wrath.

I was afraid you Then she lowered her head and whispered, “I asked them not to tell you. I was wouldn’t want to eat anything I made. I’m sorry for doing something that upset you.”

Her words were soft, but Cramer caught the truth beneath them. She was covering for the maids, protecting the very people who had mocked her moments ago.

Why? He couldn’t understand it.

But the maids‘ faces said everything–they knew her words had spared them.

“Take the soup upstairs,” Cramer ordered curtly.

The secretary hesitated, stunned. He hadn’t expected Cramer to drink it after learning it was Vivian’s. Until now, Mr. Cullinan wouldn’t even let her name be mentioned.

Chapter 559 The Weight of Authority

But the command was clear. The soup was carried up to his room.

Vivian stared after him, disbelief in her eyes. She hadn’t imagined he would still drink it once he knew it was hers.

Eliza’s advice echoed in her mind—sometimes winning a man’s heart took patience and subtlety.

Behind her, the maids scrambled to their feet.

“This is all your fault! If not for you, we wouldn’t have nearly been punished!”

“Don’t think pretending to be a saint will make Mr. Cullinan remember you!”

“He’ll never like you. Stop dreaming about becoming Mrs. Cullinan!”

They spat their venom without restraint. For them, stepping on someone like Vivian–Wendy’s daughter, someone Cramer could never truly accept–was the only way to feel powerful.

Before Vivian could respond, the secretary reappeared. His sharp voice cut through the noise. “Mr. Cullinan wants you upstairs.”

The maids froze.

Hadn’t it been settled? Why call them now?

Fear prickled their skin.

“Didn’t you hear me?” the secretary snapped. “Move.”

They had no choice but to follow him, dread pressing down on their shoulders.

In the study, Cramer sat calmly, his

eyes

cold.

“Come in.”

His voice was steady, deliberate.

They shuffled forward, shaking.

Cramer rose, picked up a sharpened decorative dagger, and pressed the blade under one maid’s

chin.

She trembled violently, barely daring to breathe.

“Whose word runs this house?” Cramer asked, his voice like ice.

2/3

7:31 Sat, Sep 13 B

The Heiress’s Second Chance at Vengeance

Chapter