By the time Kate made it back to the linen closet, the whispers had evolved into outright stares.
Maribel, the nosy second-floor maid, leaned against the doorframe with a smug look on her face, arms folded like she was preparing for a confrontation.
"Well, well. Sleeping with the boss now, are we?" she sneered.
Kate stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, don't act innocent. Gerald saw you coming out of the master suite this morning with your hair a mess. And now Clarisse is talking to the board about 'staff discipline.'"
Kate's throat went dry. "That's not—"
"Whatever it is, it's stupid," Maribel cut her off, stepping closer. "You think you're the first girl he's looked at like that? You won't be the last. But unlike you, the rest of us know how to stay in our place."
Kate's hand clenched around the towel she was folding.
"I didn't come here for drama," she said quietly. "I came here to work. Whatever anyone thinks they saw—just mind your own business."
Maribel scoffed. "That's the problem. It is our business. Because when you get fired for being Jade's little distraction, it'll fall on the rest of us to clean up your mess."
Before Kate could respond, the door slammed open.
Gerald, the head butler, stepped in with a clipboard in hand and a grim expression.
"Kate," he said brusquely. "Mr. Williams wants to see you in the conference lounge. Now."
Kate's heart dropped.
---
The walk to the lounge felt like a slow march toward her own execution.
The hallway stretched long and intimidating, the mansion unusually quiet, as if it were holding its breath. By the time she reached the double doors, she considered turning around.
But before she could, Jade opened them.
He was in a black tailored suit, his expression unreadable.
"Come in," he said simply.
Inside the lounge, three people sat at a long table: Clarisse, Gerald, and one of the estate lawyers. All of them turned as she entered.
Kate swallowed. "Mr. Williams—"
Jade raised a hand. "Kate, I asked you here to clarify something. Sit."
She obeyed hesitantly, perching at the edge of a leather chair.
Clarisse was the first to speak. "We have a problem. Your staff has become a… distraction. And this one—" she gestured toward Kate like she was a misplaced piece of furniture—"has gotten a little too comfortable."
Kate's cheeks flushed.
But before she could defend herself, Jade stood.
"I've had enough of this."
The room went silent.
He turned toward Clarisse, his voice low but firm. "Kate's role in this household is not up for discussion. She's a dedicated, efficient member of my staff. What happened between us is none of your concern."
Clarisse blinked. "So it's true?"
He looked her dead in the eye. "Yes."
Kate gasped.
"You're admitting it?" she whispered, stunned.
Jade didn't look away. "I'm not ashamed of it."
Gerald coughed. "Sir, with respect, this creates a power imbalance that could reflect poorly on you—on the estate."
"I'm aware," Jade said, pacing behind his chair. "Which is why I've made a decision."
He turned to face the room. "Effective immediately, Kate will be transferred to an administrative role at the Williams Foundation headquarters. She'll have full employee benefits, her own office, and no further domestic duties here."
Kate stood up. "What?"
"You'll be working for me—officially," he said, looking at her. "Not as a maid. Not under Clarisse's authority. You deserve better."
Clarisse's face twisted. "You're rewarding her for sleeping with you?"
"I'm protecting someone who was targeted for being close to me. The real question is—how would you like it if someone came after your character for being in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
Clarisse stood sharply, grabbing her bag. "Do what you want. But don't expect me to clean up the mess when this blows up in your face."
She stormed out.
Silence followed.
Kate could barely find her voice. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes," Jade said softly, finally meeting her eyes. "I did."
---
Later that evening, Kate stood in the back garden alone, watching the city lights from the far end of the terrace. Her thoughts were a blur.
New job. New title. Same heartache.
Jade found her just as she leaned against the railing, the wind teasing strands of hair around her face.
He didn't speak at first—just stood beside her, watching the skyline.
"You put a target on yourself for me," she finally said.
"I didn't do it for charity."
She turned toward him.
"I want to be able to see you. Without people whispering. Without you hiding. I don't care what the world says, Kate. I'm not going to let this thing between us fade into the background."
Her voice shook. "This thing?"
He stepped closer. "Yeah. This thing. The way you breathe life into every room. The way you make me forget how lonely I've been. You think that's just lust?"
"I think…" She bit her lip. "I think I'm terrified of needing you."
He reached for her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.
"Then let's be terrified together."