Fire In The Garden
There was not the time to think about anything else.
There’s flammable timber all around us. If the fire spreads, we’re done for.
Christina grabbed Julia’s arm. “We should get going before it gets out of control,” she said nervously.
The trio ran back the way they came. Fortunately, only a small patch was ablaze; the rest of the
garden. remained unharmed.
As soon as she emerged from the backyard, Christina told Raymond everything. The servants dashed
off to fetch water and subdue the flames after hearing about the fire.
As the garden consisted mostly of timber, the consequences would be dire if it started burning.
Having heard the news, Charlie hurried over. “Are you hurt, Julia?”
Upon ascertaining that no harm came to the two, he heaved a sigh of relief.
Then, he summoned the servants on duty that day and questioned them, but none could provide a
satisfactory answer as to how the fire had come about.
Moira’s countenance grew grim. “The priest proclaimed Christina to be a cursed person the other day.
Could she have caused the fire?”
At those words, everybody turned toward Christina.
Mrs. Hadley has never been fond of Ms. Christina. Could she have done it?
The servants had doubts but none dared voice it aloud.
Christina found the claim ludicrous.
Somehow I get the blame for the fire? The consequences would be catastrophic if Mrs. Hadley bought
her nonsense.
Cold anger began to rise within Christina upon thinking of Moira’s blame.
There it is. Her true colors have shone through quicker than expected. Mrs. Taggart is targeting me, I
see.
Before Christina could say a word, Julia redirected her frosty gaze. “Nonsense. How is Christina
involved? She was next to me the entire time. How could she have started the fire?”
Christina did not expect Julia to jump to her defense. Her cold wariness began to give way to a fuzzy
warmth.
Nothing else matters as long as Mrs. Hadley believes me.
Charlie thought so too. “Christina would never do such a thing.”
Moira was taken aback at how vehemently the couple defended Christina.
Still, she did not panic. “I didn’t say Christina was the one who started the fire,” she said coolly. “Think
about it. There must be a reason why the garden suddenly caught fire.”
Then, her tone changed. “Odd things happen when a curse befalls a family,” she continued, suddenly
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unctuous. “Nothing like this had ever happened before Christina came here, am I right?”
She has a point. That does seem to ring a bell.
Glaring at Moira and the brazen manner with which she told lies, Christina felt the urge to lambast the
former.
I want to jab my finger at that woman’s nose and suggest that she is the curse instead!
However, she would not bring herself to speak to an elder like that. Instead, she said, with feigned
nonchalance, “You have a point, Mrs. Taggart. Nothing strange ever happened before you came. Is it
possible that you are the curse instead?”
turned
Moira froze. Her expression turned sour.
She glared at Christina. Does this little brat know who she’s shooting her mouth at?
“I am not a member of the Hadley family. Naturally, my presence won’t affect the harmony within the
Hadley residence. You, on the other hand, are different.”
Though Moira’s tone made it clear that it was an accusation, the younger woman was still trying to
defend
herself.
What a naïve b*tch.
Christina laughed, more innocently than ever. “You’re right, Mrs. Taggart. As this concerns the Hadley
family, you don’t have the right to speak.”
“You…!”
Moira choked as she was livid. Her cheeks flushed a deep, humiliating shade of crimson as if they had
been given a tight slap each. Her eyes grew bloodshot from their bulging vessels, giving her a
murderous look.
It was her first time she was retorted and rendered speechless.
She has a point. Whatever else I say will make my intentions obvious.
Seeing how Moira was at a loss for words, which was a rare occurrence, Julia saw a flash of Christina’s
potential to lead the household.
After managing to subdue the fire in time, the servants returned.
“The burnt area had been doused with gasoline, Mr. Hadley–that was the cause of the fire.”
The
report was proof that it was a deliberate, calculated act.
Julia’s gaze turned steely. She never allowed somebody to stir up trouble under her nose.
“Those of you who entered the garden today, step forward!”
The servants grew wary at Julia’s stern command. They did not even dare breathe.
Thus, those who had entered the garden stepped forward as ordered whereas the others scurried
away to their respective tasks.
Moira became uneasy. If this matter is pursued, it will only involve…
Her icy gaze landed on one of the maids.
Though the two did not speak, Christina noticed the terse exchange between them.
Could Mrs. Taggart have something to do with the garden catching fire?
Julia swept her stern gaze over her employees. She commanded coldly, “Come clean or you will all
lose your jobs.”
The servants exchanged panicked glances at each other after hearing those words.
The Hadley family treats their employees well. In fact, most of us have been serving them for years. It
isn’t worth being fired over something like this.
They began questioning each other in interrogative whispers.
“Whoever did this should just step forward.”
“Just confess. Don’t cause the rest of us our jobs!”
After a moment’s silence, Julia began once more, “Very well. If nobody comes forward, you are all
relieved of your duties. Raymond, please-”
“It was me, Mrs. Hadley.”
A slightly elderly maid stepped forward. Her eyes glinted with resolve despite the tremor in her voice.
Her gaze flitted toward Moira, who averted it at once. I’m not going to be implicated in this.
The maid was aware that the scheme was exposed and fell to her knees. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hadley.
Please forgive me.”
Julia scoffed imperiously. “How dare you start a fire in my garden! Has my kindness made you think of
me as a pushover?”
Julia was well known for her benevolent treatment to the servants.
That doesn’t mean they can do as they please.
The remaining servants fell back as none of them dared to utter a word. They merely gazed sadly at
their colleague and sighed.
Julia’s gaze turned stony. “Who ordered you to do such a thing?”
There must be a reason for her to start a fire out of the blue.
Christina watched the maid closely, unable to comprehend what could possibly compel the latter to do
such a thing.
Her gaze fell on Moira, who had visibly lost her cool.
As if having just heard her sentence pronounced, the maid quivered. “My husband has racked up a
bunch of debt, so I thought I would try to score some points by putting out the fire before asking you for
money. I’m sorry, Mrs. Hadley. Spare me just this once, please?”
Julia’s gaze hardened. “That is not a valid reason. Call the police, Raymond!”
“Yes, Mrs. Hadley.”
Raymond made the call at once. Julia turned a deaf ear to the maid’s anguished pleas and ordered the
body
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