Felicia was supposed to be Hansen's future wife, but he had abandoned her. Not only did he break off the engagement, but he had also sent over a letter announcing divorce. She had become a divorcee before she was even called a wife. At that point, her reputation was ruined.
Yvonne's reputation succeeded itself from just being a concubine's daughter to being a daughter of Charles' wife. She became Hansen's fiancee now and would become his wife. Carrie was now temporarily managing the domestic affairs of the mansion, enjoying the fame and prestige that came with the title. Not only that, but she was also doing everything in her power to bring more goods to Yvonne's house.
Nina and Anabel returned the next day. When they heard of the events that had unfolded in the mansion, Anabel was the first one to react. "My Lady, you've helped Yvonne so much, and she didn't even visit you to express her thanks. Doesn't she know that she wouldn't have become your mother's daughter and His Highness's fiancee if not because of you?" she harshly whispered, scowling at the thought.
Harper glanced at her. "Have you forgotten what I've told you?"
Anabel paled at her reprimanding words. Never criticize a lady in the mansion behind her back—a golden rule that Harper had stressed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"Yvonne has just become His Highness's future wife. It's understandable that she forgot to come and visit me. As the temporary hostess for the family, Carrie's also rushing back and forth the mansion, so she also doesn't have any time to spare." Harper played with the zither. "Don't be too talkative, Anabel. Others might misinterpret you."
Although Anabel was not convinced, she knew of Harper's short temper. "I just think it's unfair."
"But I'm okay with that." Harper continued to play, its enchanting music echoing throughout the hallways. The two maids sat and swayed their heads to the melody. Though they thought Harper was wronged, they found that they couldn't say anything more. Being just two maids, they didn't really have much of a say in these household matters.
Ever since Carrie reigned over the family affairs, she got a taste of power. Everything was going to her liking. Felicia was beaten and locked in the ancestral hall. Sue had been so busy assisting Felicia that she had no time to go against Carrie. And now that Carrie was the hostess, she could do everything in her power to support Yvonne. She was over the moon!
"Mother, have you visited Harper?" Yvonne asked casually as she gingerly took a bite of the bird's nest soup.
"Why should I?" Carrie said indifferently. "I'm in charge of the mansion now, so we don't have to please her anymore."
"Shouldn't we thank her? I mean, without her, I wouldn't have become a daughter of Father's wife or His Highness's fiancee," Yvonne said, shrugging. Though she brought it up, she couldn't care less if they'd thank her or not. In her eyes, Harper was doing all of these to suck up to her because she needed her in the future.
"Fine. I'll send someone with some gifts to thank her." Carrie tugged her food with a fork. "A hostess is really so different from the others. Back then, we didn't have the right to eat such food. That bitch Sue used to feed her brats with best food. Now look where she and her bastards are now."
Yvonne shot her a warning look. "Don't say that. Someone else might overhear." She wiped her mouth. "After I give birth to my first son and stabilize my position in Prince Kevin's mansion, I will ask His Highness to put pressure on my father and make him take you as his wife. That way, you'd be in a much higher position compared to Sue."
"I always know you are promising." Carrie smirked. If she became Charles' wife, she'd make Sue rot in the hall with Felicia. Even Harper, the daughter of Charles' late wife, could do nothing to her then!
Yvonne was now Hansen's fiancee instead of his future concubine. Because of this, Charles provided a house for her to live alone called Grace House. After Carrie had left the house, she bumped into Harper in the backyard garden.
Carrie blinked in surprise, approaching her with the maid in tail. "Harper, what a surprise. Are you out on a walk?"
"Lady Carrie," Harper greeted her. "You look happy."
Hearing that, Carrie touched the golden hairpin on her head and smiled. "Oh, Charles has asked me to manage the household affairs, and Yvonne's wedding date is approaching! Unlike you, I don't have the luxury of spare time."
Harper narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. It's just that with everything getting so hectic, it's my priority to take care of Yvonne now since she is to wed His Highness. Please don't take it to heart. We just don't have time to visit you," Carrie said indifferently. "Well, I guess there is no bird's nest at your residence. I'll ask someone to send some to you later."
"Well, thank you, Lady Carrie." Harper didn't even throw a smile on her way, but rolled her eyes at the hypocritical expression Carrie had plastered on her face. As expected, Carrie had gotten disappointingly arrogant in her position. Sue had been in the mansion for years, studying and building the place up as it was. If she wasn't too busy taking care of her daughter, Carrie would've already been six feet under for daring to go against them.
"I'll leave now, much to do! Enjoy yourself, Harper." Carrie swayed her hips as she turned.
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