Diana's plans escalated quickly. She spread rumors about Jenna's competence, planting seeds of doubt among the staff and the family. "She may be clever," Diana whispered, "but remember — she's just collateral. Nothing more."
One evening, she orchestrated a disaster. A delicate emerald pendant, meant for a charity auction, was deliberately left outside in the rain. Richard discovered it and confronted Jenna with his usual intensity. "How could you be so careless?"
Jenna's eyes filled with tears. "I… I didn't—"
Richard's expression hardened. "You never take anything seriously."
Diana's presence lingered in the shadows, satisfied with the discord she had created. Richard's frustration, mixed with a confusing pull toward Jenna, made his emotions volatile. The wedge between them deepened, but even in anger, he couldn't ignore the magnetic connection forming between them.
Jenna retreated to her jewelry designs, determined not to give Diana the satisfaction of her tears. She poured every ounce of frustration into the emeralds, transforming her pain into beauty. Yet, she knew the battle was far from over. The tension simmered, both in the mansion and within the growing, unspoken bond between her and Richard.