The maid stared at the shattered pieces on the floor, her face turning deathly pale.
“Are you blind?! What's the damn rush?!” Karen, with nowhere else to vent her frustration, took it all out on the maid. "Is someone like you even fit to work at the Blackwood estate?!"
“I..... I...” The maid trembled uncontrollably. Even though it was Karen who had rushed out and bumped into her, she was now forced to bow repeatedly and apologize.
"You, you, what about you!" Karen raised her hand to slap the maid.
"Miss Karen."
Suddenly, Patton's voice cut in.
He saw the mess on the floor and the trembling maid, and his brow furrowed slightly. "What happened?"
Although Patton was just a butler, he had been by old Mr. Blackwood's side for decades. Often, his mere presence was enough to represent the patriarch.
Even the defiant Karen had to address him respectfully. “Patton, she wasn't looking... she bumped into me. My shoulder still hurts..."
Patton ignored her excuse, his serious gaze sweeping over the scene. He ordered the maid, "Clean this up immediately and get a new tea set. Be quick about it! The young master's car will be arriving any moment."
The maid nodded frantically.
Only then did Patton turn to Karen and Isabella, his face devoid of expression. "Miss Karen, Miss Isabella, why are you still here?"
The dismissal in his voice was blatant and unapologetic.
Isabella held up the insulated container, her face wreathed in a sweet, docile smile. "Patton, please don't be angry. Karen was just anxious... This soup was made with the extremely precious 'EverVita Essence.' I was just worried it would lose its freshness and that would affect its medicinal properties. Could I trouble you to check again if Old Mr. Blackwood is awake?"
Patton's gaze swept over the container before he extended his hand impassively. "Miss Isabella, you can leave the soup with me. When the master wakes up, I will deliver it to him on your behalf."
Isabella's expression changed slightly.
She bit her tower lip, reluctantly pulling the container closer to her chest Patton, is I want to deliver the soup to Old Mr. Blackwood myself. It's more sincere that way..."
There was no way she was going to hand the soup over to Patton.
This soup was her ticket to seeing old Mr. Blackwood, her proof of effort for Nicholas to see!
If she gave it to Patton and left now, wouldn't all her efforts be for nothing?
Patton gave Isabella a humorless smile, his perceptive eyes seemingly seeing through all her little schemes.
He withdrew his hand, his smile remaining polite, but with a new layer of distance. "You are very thoughtful Miss Isabella. However the master is seeing a distinguished guest today. Even if he were awake, he wouldn't have time to see you. You shouldn't waste your time here."
Isabella's face went pale, her fingers tightening around the container.
She looked at Patton, a wave of humiliation washing over her.
She was seething with injustice!
In the past, whenever she came to the Blackwood estate, wasn't Patton always respectful and courteous?
How dare he speak to her with such an attitude now?
How dare he try to kick her out?
It must be because he found out she was the fake Lancaster heiress and was
looking down on her now!
What a bunch of sycophants!
Isabella's eyes started to turn red.
Karen couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up for Isabella. "Patton, what is this attitude? My grandfather has always been very fond of Isabella and has always treated her like his own granddaughter! Arent you afraid he'll blame you for acting on your own when he wakes up?"