Elena remained standing in the hallway long after the study door closed.
The tray in her hands suddenly felt heavier than before. Adrian Cole's voice still echoed inside her head, cold and sharp.
"You ask too many questions."
A faint smile touched her lips, but there was no warmth in it.
If only he knew the truth.
Questions were the exact reason she had entered the Cole mansion.
She slowly turned and walked down the long hallway. The expensive chandelier lights reflected across the polished marble floor, creating a golden glow inside the silent mansion. Everything looked elegant, calm, and perfect.
But Elena knew better.
This family was hiding something.
And she intended to uncover every ugly secret buried beneath their wealth.
The moment she entered the kitchen, Madam Martha looked up from arranging dishes.
The older woman frowned immediately. "Why did you stay so long?"
"Mr. Cole needed more files from the shelf," Elena answered calmly.
Madam Martha sighed tiredly. "This house has been tense all week. Try not to attract attention to yourself."
Elena lowered her gaze politely. "Yes, Madam Martha."
Attention was the last thing she needed.
Yet somehow, Adrian Cole kept noticing her.
Before Elena could continue working, hurried footsteps entered the kitchen. One of the younger maids rushed inside nervously.
"Madam Vanessa is angry again," she whispered. "She's shouting upstairs."
Madam Martha closed her eyes briefly in frustration. "What happened now?"
"She said somebody entered her dressing room."
Elena quietly listened without speaking.
Madam Martha turned toward her suddenly. "Elena, go help clean Madam Vanessa's room before she destroys the entire floor."
"Yes, ma'am."
Elena wiped her hands before heading upstairs.
The moment she reached Vanessa's bedroom door, she heard another object crash against the wall.
"You people are completely useless!" Vanessa shouted from inside. "How does a diamond bracelet disappear inside this house?"
Elena pushed the door open carefully.
The luxurious room was in complete chaos. Clothes were scattered across the bed, expensive makeup covered the vanity table, and shattered glass sparkled across the floor.
Vanessa stood near the mirror in a silk robe, her face twisted with anger.
The second she saw Elena, her eyes narrowed sharply.
"You," she snapped. "Come here."
Elena stepped forward calmly.
Vanessa crossed her arms. "Were you cleaning my room this afternoon?"
"Yes, Madam."
"And now my bracelet is missing."
Elena met her gaze directly. "I did not take it."
Vanessa laughed coldly.
"That is exactly what thieves say."
The room became silent.
One of the maids standing nearby lowered her head nervously.
Vanessa slowly walked toward Elena until they stood face to face.
"Do you know how much that bracelet costs?" she asked coldly.
"No, Madam."
"It costs more than your entire existence."
Elena felt anger burn inside her chest, but she forced herself to remain expressionless.
Years ago, this same woman had destroyed her mother's life without remorse.
And now she stood here insulting people like she was untouchable.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed Elena's chin harshly.
"If I find out you stole from me," she whispered dangerously, "I'll make sure you leave this house in disgrace."
Elena's fingers curled tightly by her side.
Not fear.
Hatred.
Pure hatred.
Before she could speak, another voice interrupted the tension.
"What is happening here?"
Everyone turned immediately.
Adrian stood at the doorway wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled slightly upward. His expression remained calm, but his sharp eyes scanned the room carefully.
Vanessa quickly walked toward him.
"She stole my bracelet," Vanessa complained angrily, pointing at Elena. "Throw her out immediately."
Adrian looked toward Elena.
Their eyes met briefly.
For some reason, Elena hated how difficult it was to read him.
"She said she didn't take it," Adrian replied evenly.
Vanessa frowned. "Since when do you trust servants?"
Adrian ignored the question and stepped further into the room.
Then his eyes landed on the vanity table.
The missing diamond bracelet sat carelessly beside a perfume bottle.
The room fell silent instantly.
One of the maids gasped softly.
Vanessa froze in embarrassment.
Adrian picked up the bracelet and handed it back to his wife calmly.
"You should search properly before accusing people."
Vanessa's face darkened immediately.
Elena lowered her gaze quickly to hide the satisfaction threatening to appear on her face.
Vanessa snatched the bracelet angrily. "Everyone leave."
The maids rushed outside immediately.
Elena turned to leave too, but Adrian's deep voice stopped her.
"You stay."
Her steps paused.
Vanessa looked irritated. "Adrian, I said everyone should leave."
"I need to ask her something."
Vanessa stared at him suspiciously before walking into the bathroom angrily and slamming the door shut.
The loud sound echoed across the room.
Silence followed.
Elena slowly turned back toward Adrian.
"You called me, sir?"
Adrian studied her quietly for a few seconds.
"You weren't afraid."
Elena remained still. "I don't understand."
"Most workers here panic when Vanessa raises her voice." His eyes narrowed slightly. "But you stayed calm."
Elena forced herself not to react.
This man noticed too much.
"I've worked for difficult people before," she answered carefully.
Something unreadable crossed Adrian's face.
Then unexpectedly, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
Not fully a smile.
But close enough to unsettle her.
"You're different from the others in this house," he said softly.
Elena's heartbeat tightened instantly.
Dangerous.
This was becoming dangerous.
Because the closer Adrian Cole looked at her, the harder revenge would become.
And Elena could never afford to forget why she came into his world in the first place.Elena forced herself to look away first. She could not allow his quiet attention to weaken her resolve. Years ago, her mother had cried herself to sleep because of the Cole family, and Elena still remembered every painful detail. Adrian stepped closer, his sharp gaze fixed on her face. "Who are you really?" he asked softly. The question made her chest tighten for a moment, but Elena lowered her eyes calmly. "Just a maid trying to survive, sir," she replied.inside the mansion.