Love Across Class

Chapter 2: The Billionaire's Cold Eye.

Evelyn's heartbeat long after Stephen's ominous words, "You are no longer safe here."

She did not sleep that night. Her hands trembled as she folded fresh towels in the linen room, and her mind ran in circles, trying to figure out why her life had taken such a bad turn. The misleading, invasive, and humiliating headline had already spread like wildfire. She had no access to the media and no say in the chaos. The wolves had come together, and she was the wounded lamb.

The morning sun crept over the horizon, but it was not warm. The house was filled with whispered whispers, half-hidden eyes, and something worse, pity.

By breakfast, all staff members had read or heard about the article. Some people believed it. Others didn't. What mattered was the mistrust it created. They recognized her as more than just the calm girl who swept the marble. She became known as "the maid who seduced the billionaire."

Stephen had not spoken to her since the dining room dispute. Evelyn's stomach dropped when the whole estate staff received a notification to report to the ballroom at nine a.m. Nobody holds a full staff meeting unless something monumental or terrible happens.

She arrived on time, wearing a well-ironed uniform and displaying a confident attitude. Her eyes scanned the rows of familiar faces of cooks, gardeners, maids, and valets who stood silently beneath the massive crystal chandelier.

Then, the large doors opened; Stephen Wolfe stepped into the storm.

His fitted black suit was faultless, but the steely rage in his gaze made the marble pillars seem insignificant. Julian followed after him, anxiety on his face, but he said nothing.

Stephen halted in the center of the room, with all eyes on him like subjects waiting for the king's decision.

"Let us make one thing clear," Stephen said, his voice calm but stern. I will not tolerate incompetence. Nor do I tolerate scandals, especially ones that undermine the integrity of our home."

Murmurs spread across the workforce.

Evelyn held her breath.

He continued, his steely eyes scanning the room. "It has come to my attention that private information about this fabricated estate has been leaked to the media. A tale that implies... misconduct between a staff member and I."

Julian flinched. Evelyn felt the ground shake under her.

Stephen turned purposefully. His look landed on her like a slap.

"Miss Hart, you are the subject of this conversation."

An awful silence prevailed.

Evelyn's cheeks burned. Her knees were about to collapse. Regardless, she stood tall.

"I have done nothing wrong," she said calmly, her voice shaking with restraint.

He stepped forward, the lines on his jaw as sharp as knives. "Then explain why the media published photographs of you leaving the guest wing at night. Why is my name splashed with yours? Why did you not come to me as soon as you knew?"

"I had no idea till you showed me," she murmured. "And I was there because I was changing the linens as instructed."

"You may have informed someone." They warned us.

"I did not even know there were cameras"

"I did not ask for explanations," he interrupted her, his tone burning.

All eyes were on her. Every pulse in the room was silent yet beating.

Mrs. Green moved uneasily through the crowd. Even she seemed helpless.

Stephen walked gingerly in front of the crew. "There are restrictions here. Boundaries. Professionalism. And Miss Hart's lack of judgment has brought the house into disrepute."

"I did not bring anything," Evelyn said more loudly. "All I have done is work hard and keep my head down."

"Do you agree that working three jobs excuses bad judgment?" Stephen snapped. "Or are you being innocent to get sympathy?"

The troops uttered a sharp gasp.

Evelyn felt a knot in her stomach, embarrassment, sadness, and wrath all bundled into one.

"Do you think this is about sympathy?" She said, her voice breaking. I did not ask anybody to care. I never asked for your attention. All I have ever done is serve this house honestly, while your world has just trodden on mine."

Stephen's face sparked with emotion, but it disappeared just as quickly.

"Regardless of your intentions," he said coldly. "Your presence has become a burden."

Evelyn's pulse skipped.

"Are you firing me?" she asked. He did not answer promptly.

Julian stepped forward nervously. "Stephen, this may not be the time or place."

Stephen raised his hand to quiet him.

"I am not firing you," he said ultimately. Yet. You were, however, reassigned as of today. All building in the guest wings has ceased. You will remain in the lowest service quarters until further notice. You are also not to make contact with any of the visitors or members of this house until spoken to.

Evelyn's hands tightened.

Her voice scarcely rose beyond a whisper. "So I am a prisoner now."

"No," he said, his voice devoid of enthusiasm. "You are safe from yourself."

He turned on his heel and walked away.

Julian hesitated for a while, giving her a look that was half apology and part warning. He then followed Stephen out of the ballroom.

The doors closed behind them. The room remained still.

No one spoke to her as they dispersed. Not even Mrs. Green.

Evelyn was alone, surrounded by silence that seemed louder than any insult Stephen had ever hurled at her.

The next few days, they merged into one another.

She woke up early. Nobody entered the clean rooms. She ate alone in the little break room. The home seemed colder than ever. She was invisible, yet she stayed at the forefront of everyone's minds.

She seldom spoke. She rarely slept.

She missed Liam's calls twice, and when she finally got through, she could not tell him the truth.

"I am simply weary, sweetie." "Long week."

"You should relax, Evelyn. Please."

"I will."

But she didn't. She couldn't.

However, unexpected events began to unfold.

Stephen continued to avoid her, though not completely. She once noticed him standing at the edge of the east hallway, peering behind her when he thought she was not looking. Another time, he passed her in the corridor without speaking, but his gaze lingered for too long.

He appeared torn. Angry. She could not tell whether he was looking at her or himself.

Evelyn distrusted it. Not following what he did.

One evening, while walking to the laundry room, she overheard Stephen and Julian's conversations. The door had a c***k.

"She does not deserve this," Julian stated. "You embarrassed her in front of everyone." What is your strategy, Stephen? Smash her till she disappears?"

"She was named in the press. "I have to act quickly." "You did not act quickly. "You behaved cowardly."

A pause.

"She is powerful," Stephen eventually replied, his voice low and hesitant. "Too powerful for someone who is crumbling."

Evelyn's breath caught. "Then assist her," Julian insisted.

Stephen did not react.

Evelyn found an envelope sliding under her door the next day. Inside was a folded note. No signature. No greetings.

"Meet me in the rose garden." Midnight. "Come alone."

Her heartbeat skipped. Her first thought was that it was him.

Her second question is, "What if it is a trap?"

She waited until the hour struck twelve, her hands quivering as she walked silently through the side door. The rose garden, rich and eerie in the dark, smelt like memories. Soft petals glistened with

dew. The night was quiet. She waited ten minutes, fifteen.

Then she heard a footfall behind her. She turned, but it was not Stephen.