CHAPTER ONE
Mrs. Rose was walking majestically through her mansion. She then went to the sitting room and gazed at her son's portrait, imagining him by her side. Thereafter, she summoned all the maids.
"Good morning, madam," they chorused.
"Good morning to you all," she replied with a smile on her face.
Lillian was about to voice a complaint, but Mrs. Rose cut her off. Instead, she continued, "Hannah, please keep up the good work and continue cooking delicious meals."
Lillian then spoke up, saying, "Hannah and Helen went to our neighbor's house and gossiped while Sule, the gateman, was sleeping on duty."
"Is that true?" Mrs. Rose asked.
"No, madam," they all denied in unison.
"You may go," Mrs. Rose said.
"Okay, ma," they chorused and left.
Hannah went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast as usual. Sule returned to his duty post at the gate. Helen went to clean and clear the compound and sitting room. Meanwhile, Lillian was about to open the door to her madam's room when she overheard Mrs. Rose's conversation with her friend on the phone. They were discussing Hannah's good conduct and cooking skills, and Mrs. Rose was considering matchmaking her with her only son.
Lillian was furious about this and thought to herself, "I thought she would choose me to marry her son, especially after all these years of working for her. At the very least, she could have compensated me with this opportunity. I'm the one who styles her hair, does her makeup, and chooses her outfits. She always tells me I'm her favorite maid. How could she choose Hannah over me? I'll make sure to implicate Hannah!" Lillian's anger and jealousy grew, fueling her determination to sabotage Hannah's chances with Mrs. Rose's son.