The moment those words left her lips, an icy chill settled over the car, cold and heavy as the dead of winter.

Evadne and Jason exchanged a startled glance. Evadne quickly turned back to Alva.

"Alva, what do you mean by 'mental problems'?"

Alva's eyelids fluttered as if she were struggling against a memory that made her physically ill. She drew in a trembling breath before she spoke.

"I've worked for the Abernathy family for nearly thirty years now. I'm still a housekeeper at Windermere Estate. Other than the butler and Dennis, who serves Mr. Frederic, there aren't many staff left with as many years as I have.

When I first joined, I was assigned to serve Elspeth and the eldest son. I wasn't their personal attendant, just a junior maid following the head maid around— washing linens, scrubbing floors, doing the rough work. The finer tasks, like serving tea or helping with their dressing, were never given to me.

At first, I thought Elspeth just looked down on me for being a country girl, thought I was clumsy and rough. But later I realized, all her daily needs were taken care of by her own trusted maids, people she brought with her from the Austin family. Ordinary Abernathy staff couldn't get close to her at all."

Jason frowned in confusion. "Why? Was Elspeth hiding something from the Abernathys? Some dirty secret?"

"Could she really have been mentally ill?" Evadne's eyes darkened as she recalled her brothers' earlier suspicions.

Alva's brow knit tight. "To be precise, Elspeth... she was a complete lunatic."

stared, stunned. "A

hidden forever. I heard the worst episode was absolutely horrifying-Elspeth had a fit, didn't recognize anyone, and lunged at a maid delivering food, bit a chunk of flesh out of her face. There was blood everywhere.

flinched, his face pale. "That's not even human... It's—” He

Elspeth had lost all


violent and

out a

to s

her husband, and in

on herself—it was

all this. Elspeth's been gone for

to take her

knuckles turned white, voice trembling with anxiety. "But now-I have to tell you everything I know! The eldest son... I fear he takes after his

a violent streak-worse

gently laid a hand on Alva's tense back. "Alva, what is it you know?

ago. The young master hadn't

evening, it was my turn to take dinner

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