CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR – THE FIRST TEST

"Now, the dining room needs to be prepared for tonight's dinner. Silver polished, table set. No detail too small," Mrs. Thatcher instructed. Charlotte nodded, exhaustion seeping into her bones as she moved to the next task. Anya joined her, helping with the more intricate parts of setting the table and arranging the silverware. "You're doing well, Charlotte," Anya whispered. "Mrs. Thatcher is tough, but she respects hard work." "I just have to keep proving myself," Charlotte replied, her voice low. "One day at a time." The afternoon passed in a blur of activity. Charlotte polished the silver until it gleamed, carefully placed each piece in its designated spot, and ensured that the dining room looked immaculate. Her mind wandered to memories of hosting grand dinners, now finding herself on the other side of the table. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow through the tall windows, Mrs. Thatcher returned for her final inspection of the day. She walked around the room, scrutin