A few minutes later, Silva sat in their father's underground prison, shackled in chains, spaced out. Just then, she heard a familiar voice with a cold tone from the next cell.
"Back here again?!"
The dominant, cold voice chuckled.
"You never seem to learn, do you?!"
Silva snapped back, hearing it come from the next cell.
"And you seem to be right."
Silva said softly, her head down, still in pain.
"Not complaining, just like your style..."
He added coldly.
"But if you don't want to die, I suggest you try winning him over before taking your final shot."
"Kindly shut up,"
She muttered softly, detached.
"You have no idea about my situation."
Ignoring him, she heard him chuckle. Meanwhile, Silva thought back to the maid who had given her the wine at the party.
"I'll remember you as well."
******
Meanwhile, the maid stood beside June's bed as June handed her a check, smiling at her.
"That was excellent, Nina,"
She praised.
"But I still need you beside me. So why not become part of my maid staff?"
"Ma'am? Me?"
"Indeed, you."
June smiled, noticing all the excitement and admiration in Nina's eyes.
"Or you don't?" June added with a sly smile. "I mean, if you don't, that's completely fine, and I won't threaten you."
"Of course not. I'll be happy to serve as long as I live, ma'am."
June chuckled. "Well, if that's the case, then come here."
"Umm?!"
Nina said, but to her surprise, she was pulled into a hug.
"I hope you serve with absolute loyalty, dear."
Nina couldn't believe what was happening. June? A lady who hadn't had a specific maid for herself until now, choosing her out of all the maids in this grand estate.
"I promise to serve you with my utmost dignity and loyalty, ma'am,"
Nina said happily.
"Good, that's what I love to hear."
June said coldly.
"Now, with my first pawn in place, the other pieces will be easy to move into position for her demise."
June thought, smirking.
"All a maid like her needs is my validation to keep her absolutely loyal to me."
June patted Nina's head as she smiled.
"And the idiot Silva walked right into my plan, like the fool she is."
She thought, mocking Silva.
"So predictable."
She added, feeling quite confident despite Silva's claim that she had poisoned her.
"Too bad for her. After all, it was all part of my perfect acting skills, my dear Silva."
***************
Two days later, as Silva stepped into the hallway, she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. She felt a lingering unease after the long night, aware that something awaited her. Looking up at the sky, she thought, I guess good morning, sky.
Meanwhile, in Lucius' grand office, he slammed his hand on the table in frustration.
"What's this? A proposal for Silva?!"
June exclaimed in shock upon hearing the news.
"Well, she won't live long enough to witness the event!"
Gina, June's mother, said with a smile as she entered the room.
"Enough!"
Lucius roared.
"You two, get out of here!"
June hesitated for a moment but retreated, casting a glance back at her father, aware of his volatile temper.
"Tsk!" she muttered as she exited.
"Then again, who could it be that gets Father all worked up?" June thought, biting her thumb.
"Relax, dear. There's no hope for her. Besides, getting her married to whoever that is will only leave you more room to inherit her."
Gina smirked, looking at her daughter.
June smiled back.
"I have to figure out if it's him, or just someone else."
She thought urgently.
Judging from Father's reaction, I can't tell if it's Michael or not.
"Mother, you're right. Besides, I have nothing to worry about after all... her portion will certainly belong to us."
She faintly smiled.
********
A few minutes later, in Lucius' office, he looked at Silva coldly as he set down a proposal.
"Tell me, how did you convince that old hag, Elaine, to ask for your hand in marriage for his grandson?"
"Umm?"
Silva thought, confused, her brow slightly furrowing.
"Go on! Speak!" Lucius roared in anger.
Silva flinched slightly in fear but tried not to react too much.
"I don't know what he's talking about, but this opportunity isn't going anywhere," her mind raced.
"Father, I'm unaware things would have turned out this way," she began. "All it was, was an encounter with her at June's birthday party."
"And throughout the encounter, all she did was praise and talk highly of you," she continued.
"This dog loved hearing his reputation in the spotlight. Hearing this might sway him a bit!" Silva thought, her eyes on her father's face, which suddenly softened a bit.
"I never knew she would choose me as a candidate for marriage?" she concluded, glaring at Lucius.
"Damn it!" He smacked the paper on his desk.
"That damn hag really did it this time." Lucius said in frustration, glancing disgustedly at Silva.
"And of all people, him? Seriously, can this hag find someone else for him?" he thought. "A driver, maybe one of their guards she could marry?" He thought glancing back angrily at Silva.
"Take her back to her cell. I'll figure this out."
"Yes, sir." The guard said and began to pull Silva away.
"Now thinking back on it, Thalia did say something about finding me a suitor as soon as possible," Silva thought, faintly smiling.