The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 70

Jocelyn gave her no quarter.

Anger surged through her, making her lose her composure. In just one night, the household staff had been replaced. Maria would never have left without saying a word to her!

Jocelyn's cold gaze swept over them. "Since you know you're a servant, you should watch your words and actions. I don't care what kind of relative you are. In my eyes, you're a servant! So you'd best keep your mouth shut!"

"You!" Laura was furious. No wonder the old lady had warned her before she came that there was a jinx in the Lowell family they needed to deal with. Laura cursed inwardly. What a nasty piece of work!

"Adrian!" Jocelyn's heart ached. "Maria watched you grow up. She treated you like her own son. How could you be so heartless!"

Adrian, feeling a surge of anger himself, blurted out the truth.

"Grandma and Mom both felt Maria was getting old and clumsy, so they wanted to hire someone new. What was I supposed to do?"

Adrian had only found out last night. Eleanor had told him in no uncertain terms: If after all these years, she still hasn't learned her place, then Maria has no reason to stay.

Truthfully, Adrian was also sad to see Maria go. But he was even more reluctant to risk his standing with Eleanor over an outsider.

Jocelyn struggled to calm herself, and suddenly, she understood.

"It's because Maria secretly brought me food yesterday, isn't it? You're making an example of her!"

Adrian's face darkened. "You were the one who said you would fast for a day and reflect on your actions. But then you had Maria sneak you food. In the end, didn't you drag her into this? Who can you blame!"

Jocelyn's chest felt tight and heavy.

Yes, it was true. She had implicated Maria. But how did they know Maria had secretly brought her food?

Jocelyn's gaze fell on Audrey.

Eleanor's tone was laced with sarcasm. "I wouldn't dare punish the great Miss Evans again. But Maria is our family's servant. When a servant does something wrong, she must be punished."

"If there's one thing I won't tolerate, it's a double-crosser who chooses an outsider over family."

Jocelyn took a deep breath. "Maria was just afraid I would starve. She took pity on me, that's why she did it."

Eleanor shot Jocelyn a look of utter disgust.

"What do you take our Lowell family for? And what do you take me, the head of this family, for? You think you're so clever, that you can wrap us all around your little finger?"

Michelle sneered, "Cleverness can backfire. My mother has been smart her whole life. Did you really think she'd fall for your tricks?"

"We knew you were counting on Maria, so we made sure to keep an eye on you. Did you really think we were gone, that you could get away with it?"