Chapter 8 You’re Insane

“Miss, are you in there?”

Joan Langdon’s soft voice called out as she knocked on the door.

Daphne was taken aback. She sat up in bed, wiped her face, and straightened out her hair. Then, she got off the bed and opened the door for Joan.

“I thought I told you not to come upstairs. What are you doing here?” Daphne asked, letting Joan into the room then closing the door behind her.

Joan was a maid who used to take care of Daphne’s mother. She was also the only one in the villa who actually cared about Daphne.

“I noticed that your feet were hurt, so I’ve bought you some medicine,” Joan explained, staring at Daphne’s slightly reddened eyes in distress. “Have you been crying again, Miss? Why… Why should you care? That’s just how she is. Don’t mind her. You’ll only end up hurting yourself if you keep crying,” Joan persistently advised, thinking that Daphne had been crying because of Olivia.

Daphne smiled at Joan and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not crying because of her! You, on the other hand, will be in big trouble if she finds out that you’re here.”

Joan was getting on in her age, but every time Olivia would force her into doing the hardest chores whenever she caught her showing any form of kindness to Daphne. She treated Joan in the most inhumane manner.

“She’s gone out to shop for bags with Mr. Montgomery. She won’t be back so soon. Let me put on this medicine for you,” Joan replied.

‘Shopping…’

Wasn’t the family going broke? Yet they still had the money to go bag shopping.

Daphne smirked derisively and remained standing as she asked, “What about the rest? Those other maids will definitely rat on you. You’d better hurry back downstairs, Joan.”

The maids would always rat on every little thing she did in order to gain Olivia’s favor.

Daphne had suffered great losses in the past, back when she was too naive to conceal her actions.

“But, Miss, your legs…”

“Go on. I can apply the medicine on my own.” Daphne insisted, cutting Joan off.

Joan saw the determined look on Daphne’s face and was left with no choice but to nod her head. She put the medicine on a small table next to her and said, “I’ll be going downstairs then, Miss. Don’t forget to use the medicine.”

“Okay.” Daphne nodded and watched Joan, who was already at the door.

Her back was a little hunched, and her hair was turning white. Her withered hand reached out and placed itself on the doorknob…

“Joan, I’m going to leave this place in a few days. Would you like to come with me?” Daphne suddenly asked.

Joan had never gotten married and had no family. If she left, Joan would be left all alone in this nest of vipers.

Daphne had suddenly made a decision—she would take Joan away with her! That way, she wouldn’t be an orphan anymore.

Joan turned around. Her wrinkled face stared at Daphne in disbelief as she replied, “Miss… Are you leaving? Then, Mr. Montgomery…”

“He is no father of mine!” Daphne stared at Joan as she replied. “Joan, does this still look like my home to you?”

Silence.

After a long pause, Joan nodded. Suddenly, there was a small glimmer of light in her turbid eyes. She gazed at Daphne steadily and said, “I think that it’s a great idea that you’re leaving, Miss! I’ll leave with you, if you’ll have me!”

“Then it’s decided!” Daphne smiled and gazed at Joan with eyes filled with emotion.

Joan smiled back at her, nodded, and said, “It’s decided! I’ll start packing. Just say the word when you’re ready, Miss! I’ll follow you wherever you go.”

Daphne nodded profusely.

“Don’t forget the medicine, Miss.” Joan smiled at Daphne, opened the door, and walked out.

Daphne’s smile remained hanging on the corners of her lips, even after the door was closed. She quickly sat down on a chair, picked up the medicine that Joan had brought for her, and began applying it on her feet.

‘Daphne Mae Montgomery, you’re going to start a new life soon.’

Never, in Wesley’s wildest dreams, would he have expected for Daphne to ask him for money immediately after arriving home.

It was 9:00 p.m. at the time. Beatrice and Cedric were still frolicking outside. Olivia and Wesley were not at home either.

Daphne sat quietly on the couch, waiting. She immediately rose to her feet when Wesley walked into the house with his arm around Olivia. She stared straight at Wesley and said, “I need to talk to you.”

Olivia certainly wasn’t going to let Daphne have a private conversation with Wesley. She plopped herself down on the couch with a sullen look on her face, crossed her arms, glared at Daphne as if she were ready to start a fight, and said, “What’s the big secret? Do you need to speak in private? If you have something to say, just say it!”

Daphne ignored her and simply stared squarely at Wesley.

Wesley glanced at Olivia, then sat down next to her.

That final sliver of hope in Olivia’s eyes was destroyed. She sat down on the couch, as well.

“What do you want to talk to me about, Daphne?” Wesley asked.

“I need some money,” Daphne replied, eyeing Wesley steadily.

Silence.

It had been many years since Daphne had asked for a single cent from the family. Her sudden request had stunned Olivia and Wesley.

Olivia regained her senses first. She immediately looked very displeased and screamed at Daphne, “What money? Our family is broke!”

Daphne sneered internally. She couldn’t be bothered with Olivia and kept her eyes on Wesley instead.

The look in Daphne’s eyes made Wesley’s hair stand on end. However, he was afraid of Olivia, as well. He paused and chose a neutral response.

“How much money do you need?” he asked.

Olivia immediately shot Wesley a glare. Wesley smiled apologetically.

Daphne stared at Wesley icily, then replied, “€1,800.”

Daphne had calculated her savings in the afternoon. Based on that amount, she wouldn’t have very much left after paying rent.

She needed to get a job immediately to ensure that she had money for food, let alone compensate Nicholas.

According to Nicholas’s demands, she had to pay €1,800 for the telephone and $9,000,000 for that antique vase.

Daphne didn’t need to ask for $9,000,000, as she knew that Olivia and Wesley would never give it to her. Besides, they might not have that much money anyway.

However, they certainly had enough for €1,800! Daphne simply wanted to get that amount so that she could at least pay off one item.

“1,800… Euros? Are you nuts? Why don’t you rob a bank instead? We don’t have that kind of money!” Olivia’s sharp voice screeched before Wesley could speak. She glared at Daphne as if she dearly wanted to gouge a hole in her body.

Daphne was extremely calm. She kept her eyes on Wesley as Olivia yelled at her, accusing her of all sorts of insanities.