Chapter 16

Ashley was already dressed in a short green dress and black heels when she entered the dinner room where her parents were having a quiet breakfast. Her makeup was in the middle—light and dark—her black hair like her sister Rachael's shone brightly. 

"Good morning, mommy." She kissed her mother's cheek then walked to her father and kissed his cheek too. "Good morning father," she said before taking a seat on the right hand of her father. "Where is Thomas?" Ashley asked when she was settled in her chair, spreading butter in her bread. She took a bite as she waited for one of her parents to respond. 

"He had an eight a.m class this morning. Besides, you know how it was when you were a freshman student, don't you?" Harriet released a soft smile as they were retrospecting. "Hope you don't mind me asking why you're dressed early this morning." 

"Oh, Janice and I are hanging out today," Ashley retorted. "We have a lot of catching up before I resume work."

Her father lifted his head. "Don't you think it's too early for hanging out? You just arrived. A long rest before work will do you some good," Luther advised. 

"Dad, riding first-class isn't tiring, you know that. Also, Steve said I could rest for a week before going back to work because he didn't know what he would have done if I hadn't agreed to go for that meeting. It's a compensation." She was reminding them that they had begged her to work in the company, using different words. 

"I'm glad to have you as my daughter, Ashley," Luther said, staring at Harriet who rolled her eyes slowly with discomfort. What he said hit her hard that she almost choked on her coffee. "It's a good thing you didn't act stubborn like Rachael."

"Speaking of Rachael. When are you guys planning to let me give Charles a piece of my mind? Because I know you aren't anticipating doing so." Ashley put the mug on the table after a long sip. "We can't sit back and let him be. Who knows if he planned what happened yesterday?" 

"I don't think that's a good idea, darling, Ashley. Now isn't the time for assuming, and accusing," Harriet said in a low, serious tone. "I doubt he would do such a thing— waste millions of dollars."

"How can you be so sure, Harriet?" Luther asked, farrowing his brows. "People that we love sometimes surprise us with unprecedented traits. Am I , right, Ashley?" 

"I don't think someone who loves you would surprise you with an unprecedented trait without a good reason," Harriet answered before Ashley could, maintaining a natural expression and fixed tone. "It's up to you to classify what they did as good, or bad, right, Ashley?" 

"Right." Ashley answered. She looked at her phone when it beeped. "I have to go now." She kissed both of them and hurried out of the house. 

Harriet and Luther sat in the silence they had been in before Ashley joined them. 

Harriet lifted her head from her plate. "James said you suspended him for three days. And you're going to fire him after, if he doesn't tell you why he came here yesterday. " She brought the topic she had been struggling to bring up up. "If I may ask. Why did you suspend an innocent man based on a stupid feeling?" Harriet asked him. 

Luther waited a moment then said, "Stupid people get suspended based on stupid feelings," keeping his head in the white plate before him. 

Harriet scoffed.  "You have become so unbelievable, Luther. With this new attitude of yours, you might lose loyal and potential people." 

"I'm used to losing people. Only the true loyal ones stay in my circle, darling," Luther said. 

"Then you don't belong in your own circle," Harriet told him. "Do you think you can reach into the mansion alone? Without help from people?"

They were having a peaceful breakfast minutes ago. Harriet decided to turn it into something else. The woman seemed not to like peace at all. 

"I rather ask for help from the right people than to get it free from hypocritical individuals. If you aren't willing to do the right things, Harriet, I'm sorry to say I can not call you one of the right people." He walked out of the dining room. 

Harriet darted her eyes around. Of all the things that happened yesterday, why was Luther obsessed with a simple missed call? It was just unfortunate that he was dwelling on the issue.

She was lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Mr. Blue walk in. 

"You know your husband doesn't stay mad for a long time," he said to her. "May I?" Mr. Blue gestured at the chair. Harriet nodded.

Mr. Blue was a family, he understood them well, and knew how to solve their problems, so listening for few minutes was what she needed. After all, he had knew Luther longer than she had. 

"He's not mad at all, if you'll ask me. I've worked here for too long to know all of you. Luther wants you to succumb; that's all," Mr. Blue said, waving his hand dramatically.  

"Are you sure about that?" Harriet couldn't stop wondering. Luther changed in less than a day because of a simple trust issue. 

"I'm confident," he replied, smiling at her. "Remember you married a politician. I don't trust politicians," he said humorously, smiling. "You marrying a politician proves your level of trust for those cunning set of people." Harriet couldn't stop herself from laughing at the joke. 

Mr. Blue wasn't just a butler, he was a friend. He had ways to change things; Harriet admired that. 

"I know you're not going to tell us what's going on." He knew Harriet wasn't going to tell him even if he'd made her laugh her ass out. "But I hope that whatsoever reason you're doing this for is worth it. When you fight for a cost, defeat won't be painful unlike fighting for nothing," Mr. Blue said. His expression changed like he hadn't been laughing minutes ago. 

"To be honest, Blue, I don't know what I'm fighting for. All I believe is I am doing the right thing," Harriet said, playing with her fingers. 

"That's a cost." Harriet looked up when Blue spoke. "People have fought for their believes, though some of their believes weren't right," Mr. Blue told her. It made her feel much better. "Is your believe right?"

"Is protecting my family wrong?"

*A/N*

So I decided to read through the story. To be honest, I wasn't impressed. I have been careless with my writing and editing. I hope the little mistakes I make won't shy my readers away. I'm human after all. 

All I can do is be more careful. That's not a promise, though. But I really hope you're having fun reading this story. 

Xoxo