of air swept through the foyer behind him. A

ed around. He stared at the maid in the

r fingers gripped the wet rag so hard her knuck

rs. His face was dark. He didn't

g to grab the collar of her

high heels echoed f

tom designer dress. She wedged herself

She wrapped her arms around his bic

, who was shaking with her head down. "Who is this

red in a horrific fire, Brennen. That smell is just a cheap, backwater herbal burn ointment made from white cicada flowers. The country folk use it all the time.

d told him that scent was not medicine. But the ide

lie. She shrank her shoulders and m

insomnia had driven him insane. He actually thought

our charity cases out of my sight, Ev

cely. Her face twisted with malice. "Get

he hallway toward the servant quarters, making sure to keep her posture

tudy. He fell into his leather chair. He r

m. His temples throbbed violently

lass of warm water and a bottle of strong

ge flared in his chest. His body was

of the ugly maid's clear, stub

ith the feeling of the woman

He grabbed the glass pill bottl

White pills scattered across the floor.

losing control. He hated that a l

en said. His vo

icking up the gl

the kitchen. Her only job is to cl

erstand why his boss wanted the ugliest

oing to watch her closely. He was going to p

ked in. Her face was cold. She told Aracely about the job transfer.