The Devils Claim

Chapter 12 Bound by Chains, Defiant at Heart

Aeron hesitated before stepping toward Leon. "Boss Blackwood, this..."

Leon waved his hand to cut him off, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he got out of the car and followed Katherine. Then, without hesitation, he picked her up and tossed her onto the back seat. His voice was cold as ice.

"Our contract clearly states what I expect. Are you thinking of breaking it?"

Katherine shot him a fierce glare but didn't reply. Stubbornly, she turned her head toward the window, biting down hard on her lower lip.

Leon said nothing else. He got into the car and motioned for Aeron to drive. Inside the vehicle, an eerie silence filled the space, thick with unspoken tension.

When they arrived at the seaside villa, Leon stepped out, yanked the door open, and shoved Katherine forward. His voice was sharp and commanding.

"Get inside. Don't even think about leaving."

With that, he slammed the car door shut. Aeron gave Katherine a glance in the rearview mirror before turning the car around and driving off.

Katherine narrowed her eyes but remained silent. A flicker of defiance shone in them. She owed her sister everything and would repay that debt, but that didn't mean Leon had the right to treat her this way. She refused to let him continue humiliating her.

The old butler opened the intricately carved front door, his gaze cold. "If you're coming in, then do it. Don't just stand there."

Katherine responded with a quiet "oh" but ignored his tone. Instead of heading inside, she walked straight to the garden.

Seeing her return, the previously frightened housekeeper regained her arrogance. She placed her hands on her hips and sneered, "Aeron called me. Boss Blackwood said—you're not the mistress of this house. We don't have to serve you. If you want to eat, make it yourself."

Katherine merely glanced at her before walking past, making her way to the servants' quarters on the first floor.

Seeing her indifference, the housekeeper felt irritation prick at her like a thorn lodged deep under her skin. She had to get back to Katherine for the fright she had given her earlier that morning.

Storming into the servant's area, she found Katherine washing dishes, her delicate hands submerged in soapy water. The sight made the woman scoff.

"Wash them properly," she snapped. "If I check later and they're not spotless, you'll have hell to pay."

With that, she strutted away.

Katherine watched her leave, her irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Without thinking, she picked up a soup ladle from the sink and flicked it toward the housekeeper's leg.

A loud yelp filled the kitchen.

The woman stumbled, tried to catch herself, but lost her balance and fell straight into the massive sink filled with dirty dishwater.

Her once perfectly curled hair was now drenched, a tangled mess plastered to her face as she sputtered and flailed in the murky water.

Katherine let out a slow, exaggerated sigh and gave her a light pat on the head. Her tone was filled with feigned concern.

"Auntie, does the dishwater smell that good to you? Are you sure you want to drink it? Because if you do, I can fetch you a bowl. At the very least, you’re in charge of the house staff—try not to embarrass yourself like this."

The housekeeper trembled with fury. Scrambling to her feet, she pointed a dripping finger at Katherine and screeched, "You little wretch! You hit me, didn't you? You made me trip!"

Katherine arched a brow, completely unfazed. "With which eye did you see me hit you?" she asked innocently. "It's clear you tripped and fell in all on your own. The other ladies here can vouch for me."

She turned toward the group of young maids who had been watching in stunned silence, her smile teasing yet firm.

The housekeeper, still fuming, placed her hands on her hips and glared at the servants. "Tell me the truth! What did you see? Speak up! And if you lie, none of you will get dinner tonight!"

The maids huddled together in fear. Katherine, recognizing the intimidation tactic, took a step toward them and clapped her hands.

"Don't be scared," she encouraged with a smirk. "Tell the truth."