Marissa forced a smile, covering the paper with her hand. "Nothing."
Vivienne casually slipped a sticky note from beneath her fingers.
- [Miss Lexton's daily routine]
- [Miss Lexton's dietary preferences]
- [Things Miss Lexton dislikes]
Vivienne stared at the notes in silence.
Seeing the sorrow in her eyes, Marissa smiled reassuringly. "I brought trouble to the Ravenshire family. I was planning to wait until you were feeling better before telling you the truth. You aren't mad at me, are you, Miss?"
Vivienne shook her head. She pulled a bank card from her pocket and handed it to her.
"I didn't know your family was putting you through such a nightmare. Take this money. With your cooking skills, you could open a small restaurant and live comfortably."
She had once asked Marissa where she wanted to go, and Marissa had replied that she didn't want to go anywhere. How could a person not have a place they longed for? Vivienne should have realized sooner that Marissa simply had no home to return to.
"Keep the money for yourself. If your brother dares to mistreat you again, come find me."
Tears instantly welled up in Marissa's eyes, and she pushed the card back. "What are you doing?! The Patriarch has already given me more than enough. How could I take your money? Besides, the Patriarch promised me I can come back once the storm passes. I don't need all this."
"Take it," Vivienne insisted stubbornly, pressing the card firmly into Marissa's hands.
Marissa's heart ached with complex emotions. Over the past five years, her bond with Vivienne had grown far beyond a simple employer-employee relationship. This sudden separation was agonizing, but thankfully, the Patriarch had promised she could return.
Not wanting to make Vivienne any sadder, Marissa forced a lighthearted smile. "I'll hold onto it for you, Miss. When I come back, I'll return it."

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