Chapter 6

Genevieve froze at the sight before her. Tristan's broad shoulders and lean, muscular waist formed a perfect silhouette. His back bore scratches of varying lengths, instantly pulling her thoughts back to the previous night's chaos. "What's wrong? Do you like looking at men's bodies so much that you're mesmerized?" His mocking tone snapped her back to reality. She calmly placed the wallet on the car seat. "You dropped this." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked straight toward Miriam. Tristan, buttoning his shirt, looked at her with disdain and cold amusement. "You've married my uncle. Keep your eyes off other men, or I'll make you regret having them." His venomous warning made her feel an even stronger unease and revulsion. She didn't reply and quickened her pace. "Mom, how's your leg?" Genevieve asked, crouching down to check Miriam's injury with concern. Miriam swatted her hand away with annoyance. "Why did it take you so long to get here?" Then, her expression softened with gratitude. "Thankfully, Mrs. Taylor and Ms. Taylor were kind enough to call a doctor. It's just a minor fracture, nothing too serious." Only then did Genevieve glance at Miley and Harper. Having worked as a housekeeper for the Taylor family for years, Miriam occasionally brought her along. She had even received some of Harper's old clothes as hand-me-downs. Miley and Harper had always been aloof and condescending, but they had never shown outright hostility. Their disdain was subtle at best. But today, their gazes were filled with open animosity. Confused, Genevieve turned to Miriam for answers. Just then, Tristan approached again. Harper quickly interjected, her voice soft. "Why don't you help Miriam inside to rest? Be careful." Genevieve found her sudden shift in attitude puzzling but didn't dwell on it. She thanked Harper politely and helped Miriam into the house. Upon watching Tristan's gaze follow Genevieve, Harper's eyes flashed with jealousy. But she maintained her smile. "Mr. Burtman, do you know them?" His thin lips pressed together tightly, and he didn't respond. Undeterred, she continued, "Actually, Miriam's story is quite tragic. She's been working as a housekeeper for us all these years to support her children, but none of them are good children. "Take her eldest daughter, Genevieve, for instance. I just heard Miriam say her private life is a mess. She even spent last night with some man, which made Miriam furious—" "Ms. Taylor," Tristan interrupted coldly, uninterested in the topic. Instead, he pulled out the pendant again. "Have you remembered what this is yet?" She gave a bashful smile. "Of course. It's mine. I was just caught off guard earlier and didn't react. But now that I've noticed my neck feels bare, I realized my pendant was missing. "It was personally fetched for me by my mother from the mountain, and it's inlaid with gold, with gemstone in the center." The doubt in Tristan's eyes gradually faded when he heard her description. He said lowly, "I'll marry you within a month. Of course, you're free to decline anytime." "I won't decline," Harper blurted out. Realizing she sounded too eager, she quickly added, "Marriage is a solemn and sacred commitment. Once a decision is made, it shouldn't be taken lightly." His gaze softened slightly. He handed her a business card. "Call me if you need anything." With that, he left. On the way, Ethan remarked, "Ms. Gadot doesn't seem like the person Ms. Taylor described. Should we look into it?" "No need. Marrying her into the Burtman family just brings Uncle Quinton good fortune. If he wakes up, knowing his personality, he'll divorce her without hesitation." "Understood, Mr. Burtman. Also, the handover for the construction site is complete. You have a dinner meeting with the site leaders at 8:00 pm tonight, at Nightfall." "Got it." … Genevieve carefully changed Miriam's bandages. "How could you be so careless?" "The floor was slippery. I didn't notice," Miriam said, brushing off her injury. Instead, she smiled with satisfaction. "Ms. Taylor is about to marry into the prestigious Burtman family. Just imagine how glorious that will be." Genevieve froze mid-movement. "The Burtman family? Tristan's family?" "Exactly. He proposed to her today." Miriam's tone held a strange pride. Genevieve's expression flickered briefly before she continued tending to Miriam's leg. Miriam glanced at her and warned, "Tristan and Ms. Taylor are genuinely in love. Don't even think about interfering." Genevieve gave Miriam a bemused look. "Do you really think I'm in the same league as them?" "As long as you know your place," Miriam said sharply. "How could I not? I'm already married. Who else could I possibly have an eye on?" Genevieve replied with faint sarcasm. Detecting the bitterness in her tone, Miriam quickly changed the subject. "The Taylor family gave me two boxes of collagen supplements today. Such a rare treat! Why don't you cook some and try it?" The supplements, already opened, had expired six months ago. Miriam still treated it like a treasure. The sight made Genevieve's heart ache. She lowered her head and didn't respond. Miriam continued, "The one million dollars has already been transferred. But it's strange—despite the marriage certificate being issued, they haven't asked you to attend to that cripple yet. "Still, it's good they're not rushing. It means you can stay home a bit longer. Honestly, I'll miss you when you leave." Genevieve thought, "Hopefully, the Burtman family will forget I exist." Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Heidi. "Breaking news—The new construction site boss will be at Nightfall tonight at 8:00 pm. If you want to get in, try cozying up to them."