"I''m not entirely confident, but my brother told me all I need to do is give it a shot," replied Ambrose. Calista nodded. "All right, I''ve lingered here for long enough. It''s time for me to leave. Will you walk me out?" With a frown, Ambrose muttered, "That was fast..."


    "What?"


    "No, let me send you out!"


    From beginning to end, Calista never saw Ambrose''s painting.


    As he was leaving, there were several instances where he seemed to want to speak but held his tongue.


    Calista remarked, "You seem quite odd today. Is there something you want to say?"


    Ambrose blushed. As he gazed into Calista''s overly bright eyes, he felt his normally steady heart begin to race uncontrobly. "Callie... if..."


    "Hmm?" When dealing with Ambrose, Calista always disyed a touch more patience than with others.


    "If... If..." He stammered, even though he only needed a second to say a sentence that he had been rehearsing in his mind all day long.


    He gritted his teeth, leaning in close to Calista''s ear. "If you no longer have feelings for Kallum, would you consider being with a younger man?" The smile on Calista''s face froze.


    The clear voice of Ambrose once again resounded with unwavering determination. "I sensed thatpared to your current life, you seemed to prefer simplicity and freedom. I don''t have much to offer, but I like you, in and simple."


    Calista looked up to see his youthful smile, her mind still somewhat dazed. Under the setting sun, by the grand mansion''s gate, Ambrose bashfully pressed a finger to her lips, smiling gently. "You don''t need to respond, nor feel burdened. I hope that my affection for you is as simple as the sun''s love for the wind, or a sail''s love for the sea. If you need me, I''m here. If you don''t, I''m still here, just like a friend."


    On her way back, Calista grinned. Ambrose''s words had given her strength. His affection was so pure that it didn''t exert any pressure. Instead, it brought her a sense of joy.


    However, that joyful mood vanished the moment she returned home.


    Yelena was serving the dishes with a radiant smile, the picture of a dutiful and virtuous housewife. Calista nced at her watch. It was the thirteenth, and five days were left, but that was more than enough time for Calista to deal with Yelena.


    "You''ve returned, Ms. Calista?" Yelena was a bit restrained, primarily due to theirst encounter. The memory of Calista forcing her to scrub the carpet with that fierce demeanor was still fresh in her mind. As she scrubbed the carpet, she made a firm resolution to steer clear of Calista''s fury.


    Rather than confronting Calista


    head-on, Yelena thought it would be


    better to wait until the former


    returned to the Fairchild residence to make a move. After all, manipting Benedict was a piece of cake for Yelena.


    Calista smirked. "It smells quite delightful. I didn''t expect you to be able to cook."


    Yelena couldn''t help but wonder why Calista hadn''t eaten out before returning. Calista''s return at that moment made Yelena miss a golden opportunity.


    With a slightly embarrassed expression, Yelena said, "I just made some, that''s all."


    Calista walked in with a smile and confidence.


    Even Benedict was quite apprehensive of her.


    "Callie, you haven''t eaten yet?" Benedict asked with a smile.


    Calista nodded. "Yeah, I made it just in time. I''ve never had the chance to Mdm. Langley''s cooking before."


    Yelena hurriedly brought over a bowl of pasta to Calista and said with a hint of nervousness, "It''s just some home cooking, Ms. Calista. Please, have a taste."


    As she spoke, she took a seat. Calista''s eyebrows raised slightly. The crisscrossing scars on her face were somewhat unsettling. "Since when did housekeepers start dining with their masters?"


    "Callie..." Benedict sighed, holding his bowl. "She said she''d only stay for two months and then leave. You rarelye back, so for the next few days, don''t-"


    "I ask again. When are housekeepers allowed to dine with their masters?" Calista put down her fork, her tone heavy as she emphasized her question.


    Benedict''s expression stiffened, and he nced at Yelena with a hint of difort.


    17.


    Surprisingly, Yelena was incrediblypliant, even though she was seething with resentment inside! Still, she swallowed her anger and spoke with unmistakable grievance. "It''s all right. You two eat. I''ll just go to the kitchen and whip up some pasta for myself."


    Benedict felt a twinge of guilt while Calista asked nonchntly. "Why make more pasta? With all this food, isn''t it enough for you to wait for the leftovers?"


    Calista''s words changed Yelena''s expression instantly! No matter how destitute Yelena had be, she had never stooped to the level of living off others'' leftovers. Calista was clearly trying to humiliate her! Even Benedict showed a look of disagreement. "Callie!"


    Calista spoke nonchntly. "When I was a kid and Dad wasn''t home, I couldn''t sit at the table for meals. I always ate what Mdm. Langley and Quincy left behind. If I could eat that, why couldn''t she?"


    Her voice was soft, yet it struck Benedict like a bolt of lightning. He stared at Yelena in disbelief, while Yelena, flustered, stammered out, "I didn''t—"


    "Heh." Calista twirled her fork. "You


    didn''t? Why do you think I had Mdm. Langley clean the carpets yesterday? It''s because she demanded the same of me. I could


    do it when I was only thirteen, so why is it so cruel when it''s her turn? Yesterday, she was crying and begging the driver to help her clean the carpets, acting as if I''ve mistreated her. In reality, I was


    merely following her example."