Chapter 87
Moreover, compared to a filthy napkin, it was a clean handkerchief. And yet, her eyes were full of resentment despite being treated so well.
Odette inwardly scoffed at Courtney and turned her gaze toward her mother, who was holding Paula tightly.
“Paula is off-limits. I’ve never begged you like this before.”
“Sasha.”
“Even when you squandered my dowry on your doomed business, even when you went around having affairs! Even when the social club publicly humiliated me, I never asked you for anything. Just this once—just this one time—please grant my request.”
The count frowned, puzzled.
The countess’s behavior was difficult to interpret as mere affection for a cherished maid. Here she was, losing face in front of the servants, embracing Paula with such a pitifully ugly determination that she was even ready to take a bullet herself.
“Ah… alright. You need money these days, right? I’ll give you all the artworks I have. Their prices have skyrocketed.”
The mention of money piqued the count’s interest. He had already heard that all the pieces Malea had pointed out had become incredibly valuable.
“I’ve heard rumors from the servants. That you’ve made an absurd amount of money. You ignored it when all my businesses collapsed, and now you’re giving all of that up for just that maid?”
“Yes. Those paintings—I’ll give them all if you spare Paula. That precious money could save your crumbling business!”
Rolf and Dolly looked equally astonished. The countess’s artworks had all increased in value hundreds, even thousands of times over, and they never imagined she would give them away.
“But it’s not just about money, Sasha. Your damn maid humiliated me. How will you atone for that disgrace—”
“Try killing Paula after I’ve gone this far. I won’t stay silent! I’ll reveal that Odette is a fake purifier and that our whole family orchestrated this!”
“Mother!”
Fernand screamed at the countess’s threat. If it were revealed that Odette was a fake purifier, the former condemned man, Fernand, would naturally face execution.
“I’m saying I’ll stay silent if you just spare Paula. Is that so hard? Is it hard?”
Both Fernand and the count stared at the desperate countess, bewildered. No matter how strained the relationship with her son, risking his life for a maid made no sense.
She had no particular affection even for Becker, a lady-in-waiting who came with her from her natal home, yet she was going to extremes for a lowly maid hired by Rolf?
Still, the count soon nodded.
“Alright, I understand. We’ll spare Paula.”
It was the first time he had ever seen the countess threaten someone so passionately. He knew it would be exhausting to provoke her further.
‘All the servants saw Sasha entering the office. I can’t even shoot Sasha with the gun now.’
For the moment, retreat was the only option.
“Here’s what we’ll do. Sasha, you’ll act as if you’ve lost your mind and go to a convent for a month. During that time, all your duties as the mistress will temporarily be entrusted to Mrs. Becker. It will also serve as compensation for the false accusation.”
“What did you say?”
“If you go to the convent, I won’t kill this maid. For one month, we’ll see how much you and Paula reflect on your actions. After that, we’ll decide whether to call you back.”
“….”
The countess trembled with humiliation but nodded in resignation.
“One month? Hah. They’ll probably find some excuse not to call me back.”
Even so, she nodded. Saving Paula came first.
“The judgment of whether you and Paula have sufficiently repented will be entirely up to Mrs. Becker. Even before a month passes, if she decides to forgive you, you will be allowed to return immediately.”
“Why Mrs. Becker…”
“Because she is the victim of your schemes. Take this opportunity to learn the position of your subordinates.”
The countess quickly turned to Mrs. Becker.
“Mrs. Becker, you know I’m sorry, right? It was a mistake. Could you forgive me for troubling you all this time?”
Becker’s lips curved upward.
‘The lady who spent a week in the dungeon is finally free.’
“I accept your apology, Madam.”
Paula still trembled, as though the fear had not left her.
“Then, while you’re at the convent, may I wear your dresses? You have so many beautiful ones.”
The countess looked years older within just a few hours, her eyes sunken, dark circles beneath them. Exhausted, she barely nodded. Agreeing was the only way to ensure a quick return from the convent.
“Do as you wish.”
Paula burst into tears.
“You’re the one causing trouble, Paula. Remember, whatever happens today, it’s all because of you.”
Odette’s words by the pond echoed in Paula’s mind.
‘Did I really ruin everything?’
Now that Mrs. Becker had all the authority, she effectively became the mistress.
Paula felt genuine regret for what she had done to Odette. She wished she hadn’t gone to the annex, hadn’t hit Odette, hadn’t acted so rashly.
At that moment, she looked at Odette and met her faint smile. A shiver ran through Paula’s body.
“I’ll have Malea assist you as your attendant maid for the month, Madam. She’s smart and kind.”
The countess nodded weakly.
“Then it seems everything is settled. Rolf! Tell the servants to pack and prepare the carriage immediately. Once ready, we leave for the convent!”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Rolf, seemingly abandoning hope with the countess, gladly sided with the count.
“I’ll contact the convent ahead of time, so don’t worry.”
“This late at night? At least wait until dawn—”
Paula sobbed, cautiously protesting to the count. If only she had until morning, she might be able to argue that this was all Odette’s scheme.
“You’re still arrogant despite being the culprit!”
But the count only scolded further, confirming that Paula would suffer only by speaking.
“Paula, you’re demoted to laundry maid! You’ll do the hardest work in the mansion to learn your place! Speak out one more time, and the longer Sasha stays in the convent!”
“….”
Paula sealed her lips. She realized that speaking would only worsen the countess’s treatment.
“Sasha, if you recklessly reveal our secrets or escape, I will kill Paula. Conversely, Paula, if you misbehave, Sasha will remain in the convent indefinitely. Understood?”
The count’s warning applied to both sides—and served as a warning to the housekeeper and Rolf. Even the highest-ranking employees or those who knew secrets could be punished if they disobeyed the count.
With the countess held as a hostage, Paula had no choice but to work diligently as a laundry maid.
“Madam, it’s my fault. Because of me… because of what I did, you had to suffer like this—”
Once everything was settled, Paula sobbed and clung to the countess like a child.
The count gave Fernand a final cold command.
“Fernand, take Courtney away and kill her. She’s no longer of any use.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Preferably near the execution site’s cemetery. No need for a separate grave—the animals will take care of the corpse. No one will notice an unclaimed body.”
“Waaah, woooaaah!”
“Be careful not to get caught.”
