When Charlene finally calmed down, she left her room. The servants stared at her as they whispered among themselves about what had happened earlier.
"Poor girl."
"I knew it would end up like this."
"How long do you think she'll last?"
Those were only a few of the words she heard as she walked down the hallway toward the kitchen. There, she found Manang Dores with a few other maids preparing lunch.
"How are you, Charlene? Are you feeling better?" Manang Dores asked as she handed her a glass of water. Charlene drank it and forced a small smile.
"Oh, and this… I'm sorry, this is all I managed to save from your things," the old woman added, pulling out a small handkerchief from her pocket.
Charlene let out a quiet breath of relief when she saw that it hadn't burned. It was the handkerchief Enan had given her. She smiled gratefully as she took it from Manang Dores.
It was one of the few things she treasured most—now the only thing Enan had ever left with her.
"What are you cooking?" she asked, trying to change the topic.
"We're making Sir Kerill's favorite—tilapia in coconut milk. Come, I'll teach you. There's still so much you need to learn," Manang Dores said kindly, hoping to lift her spirits.
She guided Charlene beside the other helpers and told her about Kerill's and the children's favorite dishes, even teaching her how to cook the creamy tilapia stew that Kerill loved so much.
Charlene smiled. It had been her favorite too when she was a child—her mother used to cook it for them.
"Add lots of chili," Charlene suggested.
"Oh? I see. That might make it even better," Manang Dores laughed. "And my little masters love spicy food too."
Charlene helped set the table and arrange the utensils.
"You're really brave, Ma'am," Sarah, one of the maids, said while placing plates on the table. "Did you know the last woman Sir brought here only lasted three days before she left?"
Charlene looked at her.
"What happened to her?"
"It was worse than this," Sarah whispered. "The kids locked her in the dog cage and she almost died when the dog bit her. And once, she nearly got hit by a car while desperately looking for them. Oh Ma'am, there are so many stories."
Charlene fell into deep thought.
"Be especially careful with the twins," Sarah warned. "If you think Miss Erica is bad, the twins are worse. They're like little demons. God help us."
Charlene stayed silent, her mind heavy with what she had heard.
A little later, lunch was served. Charlene walked toward the table and was about to sit down when Lily took the seat first. She quietly moved to another chair as Kerill and the children arrived one by one.
After the servants filled their plates, Charlene didn't eat right away. She watched Kerill, waiting for his reaction to the tilapia she had helped prepare.
She smiled to herself when she saw that he seemed to like it.
"Manang?" Kerill called.
"Yes, Sir?"
"This," he said, pointing to the dish, "tastes different."
Everyone froze.
"Oh… well, it was seasoned differently. It's spicier and—"
"I like it," Kerill cut in. "That's the flavor I've been looking for."
Manang Dores smiled and glanced at Charlene, giving her a small, proud nod.
They started eating. Charlene was about to take her first bite when she noticed something moving in her food. She picked up her spoon—and froze.
A live worm.
She jumped to her feet in shock.
Everyone turned toward her, while the children burst into laughter.
"That's disgusting!" Sarah cried.
"What happened?" Kerill asked.
"There's a worm in Ma'am Charlene's food, Sir," Sarah said quickly, still shuddering. There wasn't just one—there were several wriggling in the coconut broth.
Kerill turned to his children, his voice suddenly cold. "What did you do?"
"She deserves it," Wency replied, arms crossed, eyebrow raised as she glared at Charlene. "That's the only thing she should eat from now on."
She sneered at Charlene.
"Go on," Wency said with a cruel smile. "Eat it."
Charlene slowly sat back down. She looked at the spoon, then at the children.
If this was their game, she would not back down.
She scooped up the stew, shocking everyone—including Kerill.
She was about to bring it to her lips when Kerill suddenly stood and grabbed her wrist tightly.
"What are you doing?" he snapped.
"Let go of me," Charlene said firmly.
"Have you lost your mind? Can't you see what you're about to eat?"
"That's what they want, isn't it?" she replied calmly, meeting his eyes. "I want your children to know that I'm not like the women they've driven away from this mansion."
Kerill froze for a moment, then turned to Manang Dores.
"Give her a new plate. Make sure it's clean."
He sat back down.
Then he looked at his children, and they immediately fell silent.
"Finish your food. After that, all of you will go to the mall with Charlene," he said.
The children protested at once.
"What? Why should we?"
"Because you burned her clothes. She needs new ones—and the four of you will go with her."
"I can't," Erica said. "I have an important project at Reque's house today."
"Then Wency, Wyl, and Lily will go with Charlene," Kerill replied, turning to her.
The three were about to complain, but one look from their father shut them up.
They glared at Charlene for the rest of the meal—burning with anger and hatred—as lunch slowly came to an end.