Chapter 85
Chapter 85:
The servant, who was mistaken for Rylie’s mother, stiffened. Her eyes were filled with disbelief and fury. “Mrs. Kirk, Miss Kirk, what are you talking about? I am p>
Before she could finish, a new voice rang out. “What’s all this noise p>
Marcus, just returning from a visit to the music association, spotted the commotion. His eyes narrowed as he made his way toward them.
Stacey’s entire face lit up at the sight of him.
Tessa, recognizing the cut of his suit and the quality of his watch, immediately toned down her attitude.
Octavia, quick to adjust, stepped forward with a polished smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Owen. I’m Octavia Dury p>
Marcus returned a slight nod, then looked at Rylie. “There’s a package at the entrance waiting for your signature. It’s been sitting there for some time p>
The moment she heard his warm and familiar tone directed at Rylie, Octavia’s stomach turned. A sense of dread settled over her.
Rylie cast a glance at Tessa, then looked to Marcus with deliberate calm. “The Kirks tried to stop me from working for the Owen family. They wanted me to go back and serve as Mrs. Kirk’s private masseuse instead p>
Not a single person spoke. The air hung heavy with silence.
Tessa, unaware of how dire the moment had become, rushed to speak. “Mr. Owen, you probably don’t know, but this girl used to be part of our household. I’m just trying to help her avoid a life of drudgery. I don’t want her trapped in a servant’s role like her mother. My intentions are kind p>
The servant beside Rylie had finally heard enough. Her voice rang out sharp with fury. “What sort of nonsense is that? How could Miss Owen be my daughter p>
Tessa’s fawning smile slipped away in an instant.
Marcus turned to her. His voice remained polite, but the chill in his words made the warning unmistakable. “Is that how you speak of the Owen family’s daughter? You dare say she’s a maid? A masseuse p>
His words landed hard. Tessa felt the shock ripple through her.
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Her knees gave slightly under her. “What… What did you say p>
Octavia looked as if lightning had cracked through a calm sky. She froze, eyes wide. Rylie? The long-lost daughter of the Owen family? If that were true, then her son had nearly married into the Owen family — without even knowing it.
The realization struck with brutal force. In an instant, everything made sense — the way Fred had gained that three-hundred-million-dollar project, and the way it had been yanked away just as quickly. It had all been because of Rylie. Had they left the engagement untouched, their family could’ve broken into the elite class of society.
Regret burned through Octavia, leaving her face tight with remorse.
Stacey, unwilling to accept it, blurted out, “Rylie? That girl from nowhere? You’re saying she’s an Owen? That’s impossible p>
Before anyone could respond, a reprimanding voice echoed nearby. “Why so much noise? Mr. Kendrick Owen is trying to rest p>
An old butler trailed behind Kendrick as he made his way forward.
Rylie, whose expression was usually unreadable, now wore a faint smile as she stepped toward the old man. “Grandpa p>