Suaz gritted her teeth and approached Elise. Elise pointed to a chair, and Suaz, rolling up her nightgown, climbed onto it.

The swish of the rod cutting through the air was distinct.

“Ugh.”

Suaz groaned as a clear line appeared on her calf.

“For failing to control your subordinates.”

Again, the rod sliced through the air.

“For taking the master’s assets lightly.”

The tendons in Suaz’s clenched fist stood out.

“For disrespectfully judging your master.”

“Ah, I, I’ve wronged.”

Under the harsh caning, Suaz began to plead her guilt. She was a quick-witted woman.

Hearing Suaz’s apology, Elise threw the rod to the floor. The noise of the rod dropping made Suaz flinch.

“Remember today’s lesson well.”

Still standing on the chair, Suaz wrapped her arms around herself, trying to calm her trembling body.

Her let-go hem brushed against her calf.

“Ouch.”

The severity of the beating was such that her calf burst open after just three strikes.

The stinging pain caused her to break out in a cold sweat.

Elise stared intently at Suaz, contorted in pain.

Her emerald eyes seemed deeper and more profound today, instilling fear in Suaz.

“If such an incident occurs again, there will be no place for you in the Warton household. Those girls who hit Regina must properly apologize. Understand?”

Logically, Suaz should have realized Elise had no authority to dismiss her from the Warton household, but she was so overpowered by Elise that she just nodded.

Elise coldly gazed at Suaz and then turned away.

“Let’s go, Regina.”

Elise’s manner of handling the startled Regina was a stark contrast to how she dealt with Suaz.

“Miss, is this really okay? Housekeeper Suaz won’t just let this go.”

Back in the room, Regina immediately voiced her worries.

Housekeepers and butlers wield considerable power within a mansion.

The more incompetent the masters are, the more power they have.

Lady Warton, the wife of Baron Warton, preferred socializing in society with Iris as her ornament rather than managing the household.

Consequently, Lady Warton’s duties had long become Suaz’s.

From hiring maids to selecting and distributing items used by the masters, Suaz handled it all.

Thus, the items Elise used were always subpar.

For example, while Lady Warton and Iris used fragrant, top-quality soap, Elise had to use fragrance-free soap with poor moisturizing properties.

From soap to towels, bedding, curtains, the many items managed by Suaz saved costs, which she then used to provide better items for Lady Warton and Iris.

“I have to fetch the soap for immediate use…”

Regina worried about Elise receiving low-quality soap usually given to maids, but Elise herself was unfazed.

That’s because, based on what Elise knew and experienced of Suaz today, she expected Suaz to treat her respectfully from now on.

Strong against the strong, weak against the weak. It was very easy to dominate such a person.

No need to demonstrate tangible power.

Just implying that I am in a position to harm you is enough for them to cower.

“I’m sorry, Miss. I couldn’t control my anger, and because of me…”

Regina, still concerned for Elise, kept apologizing.

“Don’t hold back in the future.”

“Huh?”

“The feeling of someone fighting for me, it’s quite nice.”

“Miss…”

“But don’t get hurt. I’ll handle the aftermath, so if you fight, make sure you win.”

Regina’s face, expecting to be scolded, brightened as she nodded vigorously.

“Of course, Miss! I’m really good at fighting! I’ll knock them all down for you, I really will.”
Elise didn’t mean to keep fighting, but Regina seemed ready to knock down anyone speaking ill of Elise immediately.

This was both amusing and endearing, so Elise, seeing Regina’s disheveled face, couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

As Elise had expected, the next day Regina brought back fragrant soap.

Then, Iris’s maids came to apologize to Regina.

Iris, uninterested and unaware, didn’t know about the incident among the maids.

“Lady Iris has gone shopping,” they reported.

Scolding Suaz had brought another advantage for Elise. She now knew the schedules of Iris and the baron’s family.

“Well done,” Elise said, giving Suaz a gold coin. Suaz, her pride hurt but grateful, pocketed the coin.

“I’ll be counting on you next time,” Elise motioned for her to leave. The room then quieted down.

Quiet days ensued, but not so quiet for others.

In the meantime, Elise corresponded with Karan.

Karan was still staying at the inn, despite Chase having arranged accommodations at the royal palace.

Elise suggested places in Bedrocca for Karan to visit in her letters, but his actions remained unknown.

Daily, newspapers featured the love story of Iris and Chase.

Iris lay ill over the prospect of marrying Chase, and he often sent resentful letters to Elise.

Both unprepared to accept each other yet, the Warton family and the royal household hurried their engagement.

Thanks to manipulated public opinion, the story of Elise and Karan was submerged.