CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT – ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

As the days passed, Charlotte found herself navigating the treacherous waters of life at Griffith Manor with increasing difficulty. The incident in the library with Richard had left her with a sense of hope, but it was swiftly overshadowed by the relentless demands and scrutiny of Lady Griffith and her cohorts. One morning, as Charlotte was serving tea to Lady Griffith and her guests in the grand drawing room, disaster struck. In a moment of clumsiness, she knocked over the teapot, sending scalding liquid cascading onto Lady Griffith’s favorite silk gown. The room fell silent as Lady Griffith’s face contorted with rage. Charlotte’s heart pounded in her chest as she stammered out apologies, her hands shaking with fear. "You imbecile!" Lady Griffith spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Look what you’ve done!" "I’m so sorry, Lady Griffith," Charlotte pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears. "It was an accident, I swear." "An accident?" Lady Griffith scoffed. "You’ve ruined my gown, yo