Chapter 97 I Can Afford It
Madison’s footsteps echoed through the hallway as she walked away, but Christina’s body remained tense, her muscles coiled in readiness. The encounter had left her with a sense of unease that refused to dissipate.
As the door clicked shut behind Madison, Christina let out a slow breath, trying to calm the fury that was bubbling beneath her calm exterior. The nerve of that woman to question her so boldly, to accuse her without understanding the situation, it was maddening. And yet, Christina knew she couldn’t afford to lose control, especially with the thin line she was walking in this household.
She glanced at the gowns on the table, their elegant silhouettes a stark contrast to the tension that had built up in the room. It seemed that no matter what she did, someone was always ready to challenge her, question her motives, or undermine her work. But the gowns… they were her escape, her focus, and her way of proving herself. Madison’s provocations wouldn’t break her, not when there was so much at stake.
Christina moved back to the gowns, her hands gently caressing the delicate fabrics as she considered how to proceed. The thread soaked with jasmine fragrance was a secret only she would know, an intimate detail only she would understand the value of. In a way, it was a reminder of who she was—someone who could create something beautiful from the smallest, most seemingly insignificant elements.
She turned back to her small workbench and resumed her task of adding the final touches. Her mind was still occupied by the earlier encounter, the subtle threat in Madison’s words lingering like a shadow, but she refused to let it distract her. She had a job to do, and she was going to finish it, no matter what.
As night deepened, the quiet of the house settled around her. It wasn’t long before she heard soft knocks at the door, the gentle tap of the housekeeper bringing her meal. Christina opened the door, greeted by the sight of the housekeeper holding the tray.
“Your dinner, Ms. Ada,” the housekeeper said with a polite smile, but Christina could tell something was different. The warmth in her expression seemed a little more genuine than before.
“Thank you,” Christina replied, taking the tray from the housekeeper and closing the door behind her. She wasn’t sure why, but the encounter with Madison earlier in the day had left her feeling even more isolated in this place, as if she were on the outside looking in.
Sitting at the small table, Christina picked at her meal but didn’t feel like eating much. The food tasted bland compared to the swirling thoughts in her mind. What had Madison meant by that last comment? “I can afford to pay any amount you demand.”
It wasn’t about the money, Christina realized. It was about control. Madison wanted to make her an offer, but it was clear she expected something in return. She wanted to take something from Christina—her autonomy, her dignity, her identity. Madison’s attitude wasn’t about the gowns or the desserts; it was about proving who had the power here.
Christina set down her fork and stared out the window, her mind whirring with possibilities. What was Madison’s next move going to be? And how far was she willing to push before Christina pushed back?
The moonlight bathed the room in a soft glow, the light casting delicate patterns across the floor. Christina turned her gaze back to the gown on the table and took a deep breath. There was still so much work to do. But for the first time since coming to the Hadley household, she felt a spark of resolve ignite inside her.
She wasn’t just a guest here. She wasn’t just a designer. She was someone who had her own plans, her own path to follow. And if Madison—or anyone else—wanted to challenge that, they’d have to reckon with her.