chapter771

Elliot looked over at Cameron and Kylie. "Dad, Mom, if they still don't get who runs this house, maybe it's time to send them all home for a while. They can come back when they've figured it out."

Kylie nodded right away. Elliot's got a point. We don't need staff who aren't on the same page as us."

The moment those words left her mouth, panic swept through the room. The staff dropped to their knees, one after another, voices trembling. "Sir, ma'am, please don't let us go. We're innocent. Really, we are. It's just..."

Everyone's gaze landed on Lucinda, but before anything else could happen, Grace collapsed onto her knees in front of Cameron and Kylie, her voice shaking. Sir, ma'am, it was me. I just couldn't stand how Tina was acting, so I took it upon myself to teach her a lesson. That's all, I swear. I'll take whatever punishment you decide."

Lydia's eyes narrowed, watching every move.

Kylie frowned, her expression tight. And what about Judy and Alexis?"

Grace forced herself to keep going, pushing the story further. "They only listen to Tina, not me. I..... I just gave them a little punishment, too. Sir, ma'am, I lost my head, it was all my fault. Please, for the sake of all these years I've devoted to the Norwood family, forgive me this once. I promise, it'll never happen again."

Kylie was about to respond, but Elliot spoke first. "Grace, you say you've given years to the Norwood family. Didn't we pay you well the whole time? Isn't this your job?"

Grace's heart was pounding, but Elliot didn't stop.

"And another thing. Since when does a housekeeper get so much power? You could just handle Tina,

someone who's on the same level

agyou however you

want? And you

can threaten the rest of the staff,

too? Grace, you really think a lot of yourself, don't you?"

Grace went flat on the floor, looking like she wished she could sink right through it. "Elliot, it was all my fault. I'm ready to take whatever punishment you decide."

She finished with a heavy bow, her forehead thumping against the floor.

Kylie stared at her, disappointment clear in her eyes. "Grace, I always thought you'd be fair to everyone here, since you've been with us so long. How could you take advantage of our trust and ignore every rule we have?"

"I'm so sorry, ma'am. I was out of line. I... I'll give up my whole year's salary as compensation, just to show how sorry I am Grace sounded completely sincere, and considering how much she made, the other maids who'd been angry with her now looked a little tempted.

Maybe no one else saw through her, but Lydia wasn't fooled. The Norwood money meant nothing to Grace. She just wanted to stay, to be close to Lucinda.

Lydia spoke up, her tone almost teasing. "I think we should get the full story straight before we decide anything. Or it wouldn't be fair to Grace."

Lucinda's hands clenched tight, her glare fixed on Lydia. "She's my nanny, Lydia. She's already admitted her mistake and said she'll accept punishment. What more do you want?"

Lydia lifted an eyebrow. "I'm just looking out for Grace, making sure things are fair. Why are you so upset?"

Grace wanted to scream. Lydia

really was her nemesis. But on the outside, she managed a grateful, humble smile. "Lydia, I appreciate your concern. But I'm doing this willingly. Please don't make things harder for everyone because of my mistake."