Genevieve rolled her eyes.
"You're only saying that because you weren't there earlier today, Aunt. I woke up to that woman hovering over me, barking at me to take a bath in the rudest way possible. When I was done, she had an oversized dress waiting for me. Since I had no other option, I wore it and followed her down to breakfast.
She made it clear that the wing of the mansion where I'm staying is reserved for noblewomen and that, despite being in the mistress's room, I don't deserve to be there. She even warned me to stay away from Roberto's daughter and niece, but they turned out to be the kindest people I've met so far.
And then, the real kicker? She said if I think that just because I'm young, I can take Roberto away from her, then I'm making the biggest mistake of my life. Apparently, she's been sharing his bed ever since his wife died.
Guess what? When I got to the dining area, everyone looked at me like they wanted to shoot me, until Roberto asked me to sit and brushed it off as a cute way of telling him I didn't have clothes to wear. Later, on our way to the boutique, which we didn't even make it to, obviously, his daughter and niece told me they were stunned by his reaction. They said he nearly killed his own sister for wearing that dress a few years ago."
"That shows he really likes you," Anna pointed out.
"For now, maybe. But if that head maid keeps forcing me into situations that annoy him, how do I know when his patience will snap? What if one day, instead of just being amused, he decides to kill me? We're talking about a man whose son murders people just because he's bored."
"I understand your concern," Anna said, her tone more serious now. "We just have to be more careful."
"And find a way to get that woman out of my way," Genevieve added firmly. "I didn't come this far just to have my plans sabotaged by some head maid who thinks I want to fight her over an old man's bed."
''That's true,'' the former agreed. ''I will think about the perfect way for you to warn or get rid of her before the next time we meet. In the meantime, try to avoid her.''
''I have no other choice but to do that,'' Genevieve sighed.
A brief moment of silence existed between them, lasting only for a few seconds until Anna sat up, cleared her throat, and broke it, ''So… I think you are the luckiest of the lot right now. You are not a mistress, but a wife. Try not to let the opportunity go.''
"Absolutely," Genevieve said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Even though Adrian seems cold, Roberto seems cunning, and Reyna seems compassionate, I can't trust any of them yet. But Annika and Aurora? I think they could be good friends. Maybe even help with my revenge."
"Absolutely not!" Anna snapped, her voice sharp. "What are you thinking? If you want your plan to succeed, you can't afford distractions; whether it's a good life, a handsome man, good friends, or even expensive gifts from your husband. The moment you let those things cloud your mind, they'll lull you into a false sense of security and steer you away from your goal."
Genevieve blinked, taken aback by what she would consider her aunt overreacting.
"I understand the rest, but how can making friends be a distraction? Especially when I need all the help I can get. They're not my enemies, and they're powerful and influential enough to be useful allies."
Anna scoffed, crossing her arms. "I really didn't want to say this, Eve, but..." She paused, her expression tightening, as if weighing her words. Then, with quiet intensity, she continued, "Do you really think you can be trusted to choose good friends? If it weren't for your so-called obsession with friendship, don't you think my sister and your family would still be alive right now?"