Dropping her hand from the doorknob, Natalie stalked toward Jacqueline. “The same can be said of you, Ms. Graham. Besides, you even wandered around, traipsing right into my husband’s study.”
A wave of gratification flooded Jacqueline at the hostility in her voice.
She lifted the cup of coffee in her hand while explaining, “Oh, I was just feeling thirsty just now, so I went downstairs to get some water. I noticed that Shane wasn’t in bed yet, so I made him a cup of coffee and brought it to him. Please don’t take any offense at me, Ms. Smith.”
“Nah, I don’t mind!” Natalie crossed her arms. “Why would I take any offense when you’re willing to do the job of a housemaid?”
“What? Did you just say that I’m a housemaid?” As Jacqueline’s eyes widened in shock, she gaped at her incredulously.
The corners of Natalie’s mouth lifted at her reaction. “I didn’t say that. You said that yourself, Ms. Graham. I merely said that you like doing the job of a housemaid.”
Jacqueline’s hands clenched into fists, and she shook with fury.
Argh! Saying that I like doing the job of a housemaid is no different from calling me a housemaid!
“Don’t you think you’re going overboard by saying that, Ms. Smith?” Her eyes gradually turned scarlet, and she glared at Natalie furiously.
Dipping her eyes, Natalie chuckled. “Me? I literally did nothing compared to you, Ms. Graham. You’re not in bed at such an hour, wandering into the study of someone else’s husband dressed so scantily instead. I believe that you know better than me whether you truly intended to bring him a cup of coffee or for some other motive without me pointing it out, yes?”
Jacqueline’s gaze flickered, and she swiftly lowered her head. “Oh, it’s because of my dressing that you’re so aggressive with me, Ms. Smith? If so, I apologize. I’m only dressed thusly because I’m about to head to bed. I really didn’t mean anything else, so please don’t get the wrong idea.”
“That’s enough, for I don’t want to debate whether your nightgown is a misunderstanding. I just hope that you’ll remember not to wander in and out of my husband’s study in such an attire next time. Also, your room is on the second floor, Ms. Graham, so please limit your visits to the third floor if there’s nothing urgent. Thank you.”
After Natalie had said that, she retracted her gaze from Jacqueline and descended the stairs.
However, her words were like a torn in Jacqueline’s flesh, causing her great embarrassment.
After all, she had exposed her motives and told her bluntly not to go up to the third floor anymore. If she did, it would then be tantamount to admitting that she was truly trying to seduce Shane.
Indeed, that was an incredibly shrewd move.
As Jacqueline stared at Natalie’s back while she descended the stairs, her hands clenched into fists.
A crazy idea then flashed across her mind—to push Natalie down the stairs.
As long as she takes a tumble down the stairs, death is a foregone conclusion at such a height. As long as she’s dead, Shane will then be mine again, no?
That thought gradually took over her sanity. At the same time, her expression turned increasingly vicious, and the look in her eyes all the more deranged.
Holding her breath, she crept toward the staircase to catch up to Natalie and push her down the stairs.
Just when she had reached Natalie and extended her hands, Shane’s voice abruptly rang out from behind her. “Why are the two of you not in bed yet at such an hour?” At that very moment, her hands were only an inch from Natalie’s back.
At his voice, her pupils constricted. Sanity instantly came rushing back, whereupon she quickly withdrew her hands and hid them behind her back. Turning around, she forced a smile while suppressing the panic within her. “You’re done with your meeting, Shane?”
Natalie halted and turned back as well. While she was perplexed about Jacqueline standing right behind her, she didn’t think much about it. She looked at Shane and nodded slightly. “I’m about to sleep after getting some water. Are you done with work?”
Shane grunted in affirmation.
Meanwhile, Jacqueline was still flustered, her hands shaking and her heart racing.
Afraid that she would give herself away and arouse their suspicion, she hurriedly lowered her eyes. “Uh… It’s late now, so please excuse me, Shane, Ms. Smith.”
“Very well.” Shane nodded.
Natalie then moved sideways and allowed Jacqueline to pass.
Scurrying away, Jacqueline disappeared down the stairs in a flash.
