Mirth bled into his peach-blossom eyes as he thought to himself.
…
Two hours later, Karen returned with a dressed wound and a considerate Yvonne in tow.
Realizing that Niamh was not in the house, she walked up the stairs to change into a new set of clothes.
Entering the room, Karen realized that her wallet and the jewelry she had placed on the vanity table were gone—including the jewelry box!
“Niamh Delgado!” Karen fumed, banging open the door and running down the stairs.
Pretending to be confused, Yvonne followed closely after Karen. “What’s wrong, Aunty Karen? Aunty Karen!”
Niamh was just tucking the old master in bed when she heard a ruckus from outside the room.
Not wishing to disturb the old master, she closed the door behind her when she left.
Karen was furious as she searched for Niamh. When she saw her appear in front of her, Karen immediately rushed over without another word.
“Aunty Karen, Aunty Karen!” Yvonne pretended to hold her back, while in truth she wished for nothing more than to see Niamh get in trouble.
“Niamh Delgado!”
Niamh turned around at Karen’s infuriated yell and was met with a fierce-looking Karen strutting up to her.
Karen raised a palm and aimed it at Niamh’s cheek.
While Karen’s actions were sudden, Niamh’s reflexes were fast as well.
She grabbed Karen’s hand and stared coldly at her. “Again?”
Karen’s eyes widened angrily. “After what you’ve done, what’s a slap to you?”
Niamh smiled. “What did I do this time?”
“You hit Aunty Karen’s head!” Yvonne accused Niamh of her crimes. “And you stole Aunty Karen’s accessories!”
Karen pulled her hand out of Niamh’s grasp and took the cane lying on the sofa. “You think I’m afraid of you, Niamh? I’m telling you, even if Kendrick wants to protect you, I’ll hit him too!”
With the cane striking down, Niamh felt a gust of wind brush past her.
Kendrick looped an arm around Niamh’s shoulders and pulled her into his chest while the other reached out to hold the cane in place. His actions were followed by a cold tone drifting from his lips. “As long as I’m alive, no one will bully Nia again.”
Yvonne could not help but shiver as his bone-chilling eyes bore into them.
Karen refused to back down with how furious she was. She pointed at Niamh, her expression pale. “Kendrick! This woman made my head bleed. She also stole my jewelry and wallet! It’s obvious that she’s against me!”
“Bullsh*t.” Kendrick chuckled. “Ignoring the fact that Nia has both wealth and fame now, she would never touch your money even if she doesn’t have a cent to her name.”
Winston entered the room as he heard the chaos.
Understanding the situation, he spoke sternly, “There’s no way. Why would Niamh steal your jewelry and wallet?”
“You’re on her side too?” Karen was so frustrated that she was one step away from vomiting blood.
At that moment, the old master’s care worker approached them carefully. “Excuse me, but I… I think I know who hit Madam just now.”
At that, everyone’s gazes fell on the female care worker.
Yvonne’s heart thumped, remembering the scene where she had stolen the jewelry box and wallet before running down the stairs.
She had coincidentally stumbled upon Old Master Waldburg who was being pushed out from the guest room on the first floor. They had locked eyes when they saw each other.
She had been too frantic that very moment to realize that there was a care worker behind Old Master Waldburg.
Thinking that she had been seen, Yvonne staggered two steps backward.
“You know who hit me?” Karen asked, pointing at Niamh, “Was it her?”
Displeased by Karen’s interrogation method, Kendrick was about to open his mouth when he saw the care worker look at Niamh while nodding.
“Yes, it was this lady.”
Both Niamh and Kendrick showed the same shocked expression at her response.
Winston was stunned and pointed at Niamh. “Are you sure it was this lady?”
The care worker took a closer look at Niamh’s face and replied without a doubt, “It’s her. This lady has lovely looks, so there’s no way I would mistake her.”
The care worker continued to explain. “I was pushing the old master to the courtyard when I heard someone running down the stairs. When I pushed the old master out the room, I saw this lady standing right there.”
She pointed at the spot by the stairs.
Yvonne was dazed as she heard the other speak. She was overwhelmed with joy.
Of course, she saw Niamh about to enter the house when she was trying to run away. She could not believe that by doing so, Niamh had become her scapegoat.
That was great news!
“You’ve heard her! I’m not framing her!” Karen grew bold. “She must have first run into my room to steal my accessories and wallet, then hit me when she was afraid that I would find out. I’d like to see how you’re going to object to this, Niamh!”
“Nia doesn’t need to object to anything because she hasn’t done what you’re accusing her of.” Kendrick was adamant about Niamh’s innocence.
Seeing the determination and trust in Kendrick’s eyes, Niamh knew he meant his words.
“Have you truly lost your rationality to this woman’s charms, Kendrick? She hit your mom and you’re still defending her?” Karen glared venomously at Niamh in her infuriation.
Niamh was unfazed. She turned to ask the care worker, “You said you heard someone run down the stairs, then you saw me standing there, yes? I’d like to know if you actually saw me hit her.”
The care worker frowned. “I didn’t, but—”
“No buts.” Kendrick interrupted, his words leaving no room for doubt. “If you didn’t see Nia hit her, then the footsteps could very much belong to someone else.”
Winston nodded as well after a moment. “Kendrick and Niamh are right. No one saw Niamh hit you.”
Karen was beyond infuriated. “You… You two have gone mad! My head is bleeding and you’re still protecting that witch!”
“Don’t be angry, Aunty Karen. Take care of your health.”
Yvonne comforted her with false affection before turning around to speak to Kendrick in a soft tone.
“There’s even a witness pointing at her, Kendrick. Aunty Karen’s injured too, you shouldn’t—”
“I didn’t ask you yet. Why are you here? Who let you in?” Kendrick cut her off coldly.
“I called Yvonne over!” Karen huffed. “Fine, since you’re all going to stand on her side, then I’ll get justice for me by myself!”
She pulled Yvonne with her. “Come, Yvonne, we’re reporting this to the police station!”
Yvonne was startled. Reporting to the police?
“Sounds good. I’m all for making a police report,” Niamh spoke openly.
Karen scoffed. “Don’t look so proud of yourself, Niamh. Just wait for the police to catch you! Let’s go, Yvonne!”
Unable to reject her, Yvonne followed.
“I’m sure this has nothing to do with you. I believe you,” Winston told Niamh sincerely before turning to tell the care worker, “Don’t worry about it. If the police come and ask, just tell them the truth about what you saw.”
The care worker gave Niamh and Kendrick a fearful glance before she nodded and left.
Kendrick and Niamh were now alone in the room.
His gaze was warm and confident as he took away the arm he placed around Niamh’s shoulder.
“I believe you, Nia.”
Niamh smiled faintly. “I’ve had my fair share of these ‘conclusive evidence’ situations, haven’t I? I’m probably used to it already.”
Used to it.
Kendrick found the phrase extremely ironic.
She had gotten used to being wronged, which meant she had suffered too many unwarranted slander and charges.
Seeing the pain and regret in Kendrick’s eyes, Niamh turned around without a care.
Kendrick did not want to disturb her, nor did he want Niamh to hate him anymore, so he stood quietly as he watched her leave.
…
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.