Chapter 2: Punish Wicked Maid

Miranda observed Greta’s plea for help with increased confidence and began crying out loudly, “Madam, please save me, someone is trying to beat me to death!”

Countess Sophie Croyso raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Is that so?" She glanced around, avoiding Miranda, her face filled with anger.

"Regardless of the Croyso estate’s reputation, Greta has served Miss Miranda faithfully since childhood. Even if she made a mistake, she should be corrected, not beaten to death. Isn't this damaging Miss Miranda's dignity?"

Mrs. Wilson stepped forward and said, "Countess, it was Miss Miranda who gave the order."

Miranda had only ordered Greta to slap herself twenty times, but with Greta's crying, Sophie’s anger, and Mrs. Wilson’s report, the story twisted.

It now seemed as though Miranda wanted Greta dead, tarnishing the Croyso estate’s reputation and making Miranda appear cruel and ungrateful.

All eyes turned to Miranda.

Beneath pale blue curtains, Miranda leaned weakly against a lavender pillow, looking pale and frail from illness. Smiling softly, she ignored the accusations. "Thank you, Stepmother, for visiting. My illness must be troubling you."

Then, she gently scolded the maids, "Why are you standing around? Serve the Countess tea!"

The maids quickly reacted, and one brought tea, handing it to Sophie through Selena’s maid.

Sophie, taken aback, expected Miranda to quietly admit fault as usual. But now, Miranda acted as if nothing had happened, unsettling Sophie. She had managed the Croyso estate for ten years, always able to predict Miranda's reactions, but this was unexpected.

Distracted, she fumbled the tea, and the cup shattered in the silence.

Miranda raised an eyebrow and said, “If you can't even hold a teacup, what use are you to the Countess? Drag her out and give her twenty strokes.”

Sophie's smile froze, eyes burning with anger. How dare Miranda bypass her and punish her maid directly? It was a slap to her face!

With a cold glint in her eyes, Sophie retorted, “Miss Miranda, Joy is my maid. It's not your place to discipline her!”

“You’re right, Countess. It’s overstepping for me to discipline your maid,” Miranda said apologetically. Just as it seemed she had conceded, her tone sharpened.

“By the same token, it's not your place to interfere with how I discipline mine! Even if I decide to cane her to death, it’s my business!”

Sophie realized she had fallen into Miranda's trap and was momentarily speechless.

After a pause, she said, “If word gets out, people might think you’re cruel. I meant well, but it seems you’re targeting me rather than punishing Greta.”

Miranda shot back, “Countess, you came in criticizing me without knowing the facts. Shouldn't a maid who steals food and serves it to her mistress be punished?”

Greta cried, “Miss Miranda wrongs me! How can you say I stole your food?”

Miranda pointed at her, “Look at the food stains on your clothes and the oil on your mouth. If you didn’t steal, then why serve me such food? Or are you saying the kitchen intentionally served poorly?”

Greta fell silent, glancing at Sophie for help.

Sophie knew about the food theft but hadn’t acted. If she argued further, it would implicate the kitchen and make it seem like she was mistreating the legitimate daughter

Sophie cherished her reputation and would never accept such a charge. Terrified, Greta began to kowtow, “Please, Miss Miranda, have mercy!”

Miranda looked coldly at Sophie. "Countess, as head of the household, how should a maid who steals food from her mistress be punished?"

Sophie, not wanting to undermine Miranda, gritted her teeth. "Twenty strokes and half a year’s wages."

"And for speaking disrespectfully?"

Sophie bit her lip. "Add ten more strokes."

Miranda sighed, "I was only going to have her slap herself twenty times, but since you're in charge, I'll follow your lead. Thirty strokes, as the Countess instructed, and half a year’s wages."

Miranda had the upper hand, making it seem as if Sophie was behind the punishment, leaving Sophie furious.

Sophie stormed back to her quarters. Mrs. Wilson greeted her with good news: "My Lady, the Earl will return in three or four days."

Shocked, Sophie asked, "Wasn’t the war tense a month ago? Why now?"

"You’ve wanted him back," Mrs. Wilson replied, confused.

Sophie, anxious, pointed towards Miranda’s room. "She just broke off her engagement and is sick. How do I explain this to the Earl?"

She had hoped the Earl would be away longer, but with his sudden return, and Miranda's strange behavior, she felt uneasy.

Mrs. Wilson, understanding, whispered, "If Miss Miranda’s illness worsens, it would show how much you care."

Sophie’s eyes brightened. "If she doesn’t get sicker, how will anyone know how much I care? The Earl will never suspect."