Madam May?
Amid her little panic, Ayana was confused for a moment before a quick understanding dawned on her.
Madam May was a familiar name to her. That woman was the former housekeeper whom she had fired from the mansion a few days ago.
As for the reason of her appearance, it wasn't hard to guess. She must have intended to take her job back through the influence of her uncle.
'She was truly one of his spies.' Ayana lowered her gaze back to the coloring book. She wanted to hide the resentment in her eyes from her Nanny's granddaughter lest it got to her Nanny's ears.
Madam May's appearance did not surprise her that much. Through the result of the woman's background check, she had an inkling that Madam May wouldn't have given up her job as the housekeeper for the Kingston family that easily.
She had already given the latter another chance since her poor circumstances must have led her to make that decision in both lives.
However.…the woman was not even grateful and pranced back to the mansion boldly with her uncle in tow.
'Don't blame me for being too ruthless.' Ayana's hazel eyes glinted coldly.
''Watch over Jason until I send a maid your way. Also, make a call to both father and mother's Attorneys.'' She ordered, her voice calm but laced with a quiet urgency. ''Tell them to press charges against Madam May for the crime of murdering the late Madam Kingston and the heir to the Kingston Corporation.''
At the same time, she released her grip on the coloring book and gently slipped her arms away from Jason's small frame. She then stood up and glanced at the boy, still engrossed in his toys and coloring book, before turning her attention back to the new housekeeper.
''Meet a bodyguard named Sam.'' She continued, her tone never faltering. ''Tell him that you came under my orders and that he's to hand over the evidences of Madam May's crimes. Send a photo of those evidences to the Attorneys, and also tell Sam to bring some of his men inside the Mansion. Can I trust you to do all that at once?'' Her gaze sharpened with that question.
The fear that momentarily stormed within her had already settled down. This also gave her time to think more clearly.
Madam May's appearance was nothing to her, as the real opponent was her relatives, particularly her uncle.
To deal with the cunning man, she needed to wield the true power that she held in her palm as the young miss of the powerful Kingston family.
She had undeniable wealth at the tips of her fingers. She had many connections through the hard work of her late parents. The heavens had also blessed her with the memories of her past life.
What else could she possibly need in dealing with her two-faced uncle and a dishonest servant? The two were obviously underestimating her as a mere twelve-year-old young miss.
Not only would she show them that she wasn't an easy opponent, but also set example using Madam May as a warning to him and his family, and also the other spies in this mansion.
''I-I'll do my best, young miss.''
''I have no need for your best, Miss Paige.'' Ayana corrected smoothly, referring to the new housekeeper's name. '' I need your all as the life of mine and Jason are on the line here.'' She pointed out and moved forward, already standing before the figure looming over hers.
''I didn't put you in this position because of your relationship with Nanny. I personally admire your quick-wittedness, and there's no one more fitting for the position of a housekeeper other than you, Miss Paige.'' Ayana could sense the confusion from the new housekeeper, but she made no intent to clarify her words.
''I hope you won't disappoint me, Miss Paige.'' She ended with a finality in her voice before stepping out of the room.
'I truly hope she wouldn't disappoint me.' Ayana sighed to herself as she walked down the hallway.
Since the person she had been expecting had not replied to her letter yet, she had to wield off the scheming hands of her uncle and his family as much as possible.
****
''Dad, does cousin not want to see us? She's taking her time to reach here,'' A feminine voice grumbled with complaints.
In the visitor's lounge of the Mansion, Mark Kingston sat calmly on a sleek leather sofa, his posture relaxed, betraying no signs of impatience.
Unlike his daughter.
The complaints were from Mark's only daughter, seated across him together with his wife on a more lavish and larger sofa.
She was Arabella Kingston, a sixteen-year-old who bore a great resemblance to her mother.
Lucinda Barley.
A woman known for her graceful and elegant beauty.
With her refined features and confident stance, Arabella Kingston was the perfect mirror of Lucinda Barley.
Despite being in her late thirties, Lucinda exuded an effortless elegance, her youthful appearance belying the fact that her youngest child was a sixteen-year-old.
Lucinda cast an observing glance toward her calm husband before warning her daughter in an undisturbed tone. ''A lady should also be always understanding and patient, Bella.''
''You should understand that it hasn't been easy for your cousins these days.'' She then sighed with concern. ''Your uncle and Aunt have orphaned the children this early.''
'Hmph!' Arabella folded her arms on her chest and inwardly snorted at her mother's words.
If it weren't for her mother's words about her father's plans, she wouldn't even be this patient.
She was Arabella Kingston.
The true young miss of the Kingston family. She had never been the one to wait for others. Other were meant to wait for her!
That also included her cousin, whom many have always praised as the true young miss of the Kingston family because of her late uncle.
Every one of them knew that her father should have been inherited the Kingston corporation as the heir, not her late uncle!
'Once father takes custody of those orphans, I will be the true young miss of the Kingston family, and not just the first young miss.' Arabella told herself, and decided a little more delay from her cousin was worth the result.
She would also be the heiress of the Kingston Corporation, so there was no harm in waiting a little longer. Once she and her family move into this mansion, she had enough time to discipline her cousins.
'I must pick the best room….' Arabella eyed the glamor and lavishness interior of the visitor's lounge. As always, her late uncle's mansion fazes her eyes in each of her visits. Even her home did not have this much luxury.
Arabella's eyes flashed with envy and anger at the thought of her cousins enjoying this much luxury every single day.
Something that should have clearly been hers from the start!
Behind the pair of mother and daughter, Nanny Hilda stood and observed the behavior of her late employers' family.
Her disappointment deepened when she noted how none of them had even bothered to ask about the well-being of her young miss and young master.
The children had recently lost their parents, yet the relatives have not bothered to ask about how they have been coping with the loss.
The haughty behavior of her young miss's cousin was also not pleasant. However, she had expected more from the latter.
The two children have always interacted and grown up together as close cousins, after all. The first young miss has always been her young miss's subject of love and admiration.
Her young miss's character of the past was quite similar to the first young miss.
'I hope everything turns out okay.' This was Nanny Hilda's only prayer as she knew that she, a mere old Nanny was powerless to help her young miss in situations like this.
She also glanced at a familiar face seated quietly on a sofa along with the Kingston family.
The former housekeeper, Madam May.
''Sorry to keep you waiting, Uncle.'' A soft voice drew all attention to the doorway of the visitor's lounge. Arabella's eyes flashed with impatience at the sound of her cousin's voice.
Hmph! The orphan has finally decided to show up.
Just as she wanted to voice her complaints and wait for her cousin's apology, her words were swallowed back into her throat when her gaze collided with that of her cousin's.
A pair of hazel eyes were piercing and dark, glinting with something far from the usual love and admiration from them. Cold yet dripping with malice, a sinister edge that made Arabella's heart race in her chest.
Fear washed over her like a sudden gust of icy wind, sending an uncomfortable shiver down her spine. For a second, Arabella froze, feeling paralyzed, and unable to look away from those eyes that seemed to see straight through her facade.
'C-Cousin?' Arabella blinked her eyes to be sure of what she was seeing at the moment. There was no way her cousin, who she had grown up with—would look at her with such resenting eyes.
Arabella's heart was still racing, but when she focused eyes on her cousin once more, the sight that greeted her was completely different. Her cousin was no longer staring her down with that icy, malice-filled gaze. Rather, she was regarding her father and mother, her expression warm and pleasant, as she offered them a graceful smile.
''…...''
Sure enough, those eyes were just an illusion. A twelve-year-old couldn't possibly have such eyes, particularly her cousin.
Arabella toss her fear at the back of her mind, and regained her composure. With a slight toss of her hair, she raised her chin and spoke again.
''Father, mother and I have been waiting for your arrival, Cousin.'' Her voice carried an unmistakable sense of entitlement. ''Was there something more important than attending to your family?''