Chapter 7 Harmless Chatter

Across generations, the Evans family had grown into a vast and thriving family.

Eric had two sons and a daughter-Shawn, Cayson, and Lillian.

Not far behind, Michael also had two sons and a daughter-Derek, Jaycob, and Elaine-with Jaycob and Elaine being Pamela's children.

Youngest among the three brothers, Roger had two daughters and a son-Ricky, Jennifer, and Brynn.

It was a large, prosperous family, brimming with bright, promising heirs.

Yet for all the time she had spent under their roof, Allison barely knew most of them beyond their names.

Family gatherings often saw Jaycob treating her with cold disdain, frequently joining Pamela in mocking her for sport.

Only Elaine had ever crossed that invisible line of indifference, offering Allison small moments of real warmth and sincerity.

In return, Allison had developed a quiet fondness for the younger girl.

"You don't need to thank me," she said to Elaine, brushing it off gently.

Before Elaine could respond, Jaycob stormed over, his face twisted with anger, and yanked her roughly by the wrist. "Stop wasting your time with her. You're embarrassing yourself."

Yanking her arm in protest, Elaine flushed scarlet with frustration, tears brimming in her eyes as she threw an apologetic glance back at Allison.

Around them, the rest of the family remained gathered near Jane's bedside. No one spared a second for Allison-the one who had saved Jane's life.

For a long, heavy moment, Allison stood frozen in place, the weight behind her eyes building into a dull, steady throb. Then, without a word, she turned and quietly made her way downstairs.

While making her way down the staircase landing, Allison caught the low murmur of two maids gossiping just around the corner.

"I heard Allison was the one who brought Jane back," one whispered. "Is she some kind of doctor? That's unbelievable."

The second maid let out a sharp laugh. "A doctor? Hardly. She's just some stray Glenn picked up a few years ago."

"Really? You know the whole story? Tell me everything!"

Dropping her voice even lower, the second maid leaned in. "I was already working here when it happened. Glenn went off to visit an old friend and came back carrying a bloodied girl. She hid out in the villa for months before anyone even saw her again. And that was Allison. If she had a real family supporting her, why would she never go home? She's either an orphan or worse-someone who latched onto the Evans family for a chance at a better life. I mean, who else would marry a man lying in a coma?"

"No wonder she barely comes here," the first maid muttered. "She's probably scared stiff they'll throw her out any day."

"Exactly. Derek's meant to take over the Evans family. What makes a nobody like her think she deserves to be his wife?"

"If I'm not worthy, does that mean you think you are?"

A mocking female voice rang out sharply above them. Both maids went rigid on the spot, the color draining from their faces in an instant.

With unhurried steps, Allison made her way down the staircase, her fingers loosening the tie in her hair. Dark waves spilled down her shoulders, framing a slow, cold smile.

"We didn't mean anything by it, Mrs. Evans," one maid blurted, voice trembling.

"Just harmless chatter, that's all. We're really sorry, Mrs. Evans," the other added quickly.

Clearly desperate to avoid further humiliation, they started inching away. But Allison's voice, cold and cutting, snapped through the air.

"Did I say you could leave?"

"Is there anything else you need, Mrs. Evans?"

They stopped and turned around, their heads dipping in a half-bow.

The Evans family might have looked down on Allison, but she was still Derek's wife-and none of the servants dared to slight her.

Slowly, Allison tapped her finger against her chin, her sharp gaze fixed on the two trembling women.

Three years ago, there had been very few witnesses to the truth. Even within the Evans family, only a few knew she was the girl Glenn had rescued.

Back then, most of the servants who knew the truth had either been silenced with money or quietly dismissed from the household.

Leveling a calm stare at them, Allison asked, "Where exactly did you hear that story?"

A flicker of panic crossed the maid's face before she replied honestly, "Mrs. Evans, don't you remember? I was the one who helped care for you when you were recovering."

Hearing that, Allison studied her face more carefully-and, faintly, some trace of familiarity stirred. During those months, the servants had kept so distant that she barely registered their faces.

"So it was you," she murmured. "Tell me, how many people have you repeated it to?"

Frantically shaking her head, the maid blurted, "No one! I swear-I only said it just now without thinking."

A glint of coldness sparked in Allison's eyes. "For your sake, I hope that's true. Because if I catch another whisper about me, you'll be the first person I come looking for."

The menace in her voice made the maid's knees nearly buckle. "Yes, Mrs. Evans! I promise-I won't say a thing!"

With hurried bows and lowered heads, the two maids scurried away, too frightened to glance back.

Without a word, Allison pushed open the garden door and stepped into the cool, quiet greenery, her gaze lingering on the stillness.

Behind her, a low voice broke the silence. "Didn't think you knew anything about medicine. Or that you had that kind of fire in you."

Turning slowly, she found Derek leaning lazily against the doorway, his tailored suit molding perfectly to his broad shoulders and slim waist, his presence polished and effortlessly striking.

A faint, ironic smile tugged at her lips. "There's a lot about me you never bothered to ask, Derek. Did you think I would just offer up everything for free?"