Lyla was well aware of the king's protective nature toward Ms. Mack, which was why she deliberately fabricated the rumors.
Rory had intended to confront Bailey and unleash his anger, but to his surprise, she spoke first with a cold smirk, saying, "You fell for it again? This is the third time."
Rory frowned, feeling an inexplicable sense of annoyance creeping within him.
Indeed, the previous two times were his misunderstandings of Bailey.
Brenna took the initiative to mediate, saying, "I admit my humble background and the queen consort's words are not entirely unjustified. Your Majesty, please do not let this harm your relationship with the queen consort."
"She..." Rory couldn't help but glance at Bailey, who wore a knowing expression as if she had become accustomed to his subsequent reactions.
"How do you wish to deal with the maid?" Rory asked once again.
Brenna was taken aback, realizing that the king had not pursued the matter of Lyla, the maid, spreading false accusations about Bailey.
Bailey wasted no words, her gaze icy as she stated, "For someone so devoid of respect, killing them wouldn't be excessive."
Brenna clenched her fist beneath her sleeve, filled with anger. Bailey had already caused her to lose one nanny, and if something were to happen to Lyla, she would lose two trusted aides instantly!
She couldn't let Bailey succeed!
"Your Majesty, Lyla has served faithfully in the mansion for years. It would be too heartless to kill her. Perhaps we could balance her merits and faults and spare her life? I implore you. Brenna pleaded.
Rory agreed, saying, "Starting tomorrow, Lyla shall be relieved of her butler duties and remain an ordinary servant. Let the rest be. She was umaware of the poisonous fishbone, and Meghan's subsequent poisoning was unrelated."
"Your Majesty!" Bailey felt a sense of dissatisfaction.
"Enough! How many people do you plan to kill in a single day? I am removing Lyla from her butler position as instructed. Don't push your luck too far," Rory reprimanded.
Bailey smirked mockingly as she looked at the sumptuous feast on the table.
"When it comes to irrelevant matters, uninvolved people can easily dismiss them with a single word. Today, you all get to enjoy a lavish meal with ease while my maidservant's life hangs by a thread over a dish.
"If I were to spare Lyla easily, how could I justify Meghan risking her life to protect me? But I must say, Brenna, you seem to have a deep affection for your subordinates!
"Yet, are the lives of your subordinates worth sacrificing? Don't pretend to be a compassionate soul anymore; it's disgusting and repulsive!"
Brenna's face flushed red, then turned pale.
She had only intended to contrast Bailey's wickedness with her kindness, but after hearing those words, she seemed to be labeled as heartless.
Rory was taken aback, not expecting Bailey to say such a thing. He felt uneasy.
As he was about to say something, Bailey turned and walked away.
"A fish soup obtained at the cost of life must be delicious. I hope you all can eat it with a clear conscience and avoid having nightmares tonight."
As she left, Rory found the dishes on the table even more distasteful. He had completely lost his appetite.
"Brenna, I still have unfinished official duties. I must take my leave," Rory said.
"Farewell, Your Majesty."
Once Rory left, Brenna forcefully threw the bowl of fish soup to the ground, shattering it into countless pieces.
Her maid, Lilly, entered and asked concernedly, "Master, what happened to you?"
"Didn't the king say he would buy people in? How is the situation progressing?"
"Don't worry, Mrs. Mack. I've already arranged for a clever maid to come and serve the queen consort," Brenna's maid reassured her.
Brenna's lips curled into a malicious smile, a far cry from her usual gentle facade.
"If that fool could stay quietly hidden in the rundown courtyard, I might have continued to let her sit in the position of the queen consort. But since she can't stay put, she can't blame me for not being polite!"
Brenna had already devised a plan to ruin Bailey, to ensure she never had a future!
Inside the study.
Rory couldn't concentrate on reading for some reason. He impatiently put down the book and frowned as he leaned back in his chair.
Danny, puzzled, asked, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"Summon Vic and have him check on the maid by the queen consort's side."
Danny washockededUsuallyly, the king didn't care about the well-being of the queen consort. However, now he seemed concerned about the maid by her side?
And if the maid was injured, wouldn't it be enough to have an ordinary doctor look after her? Why involve the king's exclusive imperial physician?
Rory must have been provoked. That woman hay mocked him!
"The queen consort caused a scene today, claiming that her maid is on the brink of death. I don't want any deaths in the mansion."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When Vic arrived, Bailey was attentively applying medicine to Meghan.
"Your Highness, I am Vic Odom. As per the king's orders, I have come to tend to Miss Meghan's illness."
Skeptical, Bailey replied, "The king sent you to treat her or kill her?"
Vic chuckled helplessly. He hadn't expected to have such a wrong impression in the queen consort's eyes. He smiled and said, "Your Highness, you know how to joke."
"How is Meghan doing?"
After Vic entered and took a look, he realized that someone had already treated Meghan's wounds. Surprised, he asked, "Has a doctor already come?"
"I administered the medicine."
"Your Highness, you know medical skills?" Vic carefully examined the medicine applied to Meghan's hand and the prescription left on the table. It was all on par with the skills of a professional doctor!
"I have some knowledge."
According to the original host's memories, Vic was a good person.
Bailey came up with a plan. In the future, she could conveniently use Vic as a shield to avoid suspicion about her medical skills.
"Dr. Odom, I've been interested in medical skills since I was young and would love to learn. I wonder if I could seek your guidance in the future?"
"Of course." Vic was taken aback. He had never met a queen consort so easy to get along with, and her smile was as radiant as the sun, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"Then, thank you in advance, teacher." Vic was startled by her words.
Has the queen consort been replaced by someone else? This is too frightening! He couldn't bear being called "teacher"!