Rebirth Into My Second Chance

The message was clear as day. Lydia was the queen bee of the kitchen, and I wasn't about to let the new maid forget that. Having achieved my goal, I settled down to a good old local breakfast.

Then, Claude, having eaten his fill, came over with a tie in hand and said, "It's been a while since you've tied my tie, hasn't it?"

I frowned slightly. In my past life, I insisted that I be the one to tie his tie every day. Since my rebirth over a month ago, I kept my distance from him.

Claude held the tie to me, but I pressed my lips together and didn't take it.

Claude opened his mouth, "I know you were establishing Lydia's authority earlier, and I went along with it. Shouldn't you be thanking me?"

I snatched the tie from him and, standing on my tiptoes, moved closer to tie it for him. He wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed my forehead gently. "Claire, can we go back to how things were? Stop being so cold, okay?" He didn't sound bossy. It was almost like he was asking for permission.

But how could things ever go back to the way they were? When I first came back to life, I was a wreck, waking up from nightmares over and over. Max was by my side then. Max was my savior. And those nightmares were because of Claude.

I stayed silent, and he let go of me. "Your indifference starts to remind me of Maximilian. It seems like you two have spent quite some time together."

I was stunned. Yes, Max and I had spent a considerable amount of time together.

"Claude, I've spent more time with you than anyone. Why don't I resemble you? Maybe because I know you're the evil version."

He scoffed coldly. "Evil version. Well, time will tell. I'll make you appreciate the evil version."

He crouched down to inspect the marks on my ankle from the chain. "Does it hurt?"

I instinctively pulled back, but he smiled and took an electronic anklet from his bag, crouching again to place it on my ankle. "This one's new and much more comfortable"

I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails almost broke the skin.

He was always so thoughtful.

"There are plenty of books in the study. You've always loved reading and writing. You've got everything you need here. The staff are all yours to command. Nobody would dare cross you."

He glanced at the servants lined up around us. But they were more like surveillance than servants. He wanted to keep an eye on me, ensuring I couldn't leave. Claude ruffled my hair and then left.

I could feel the discomfort from the

electronic anklet but refused to look

down. When went upstairs to check on Lydia, I found the new maid already delivering her meal. That was when I overheard their

conversation. "Just now, Chernet

bullied me in front of Mr. Hart. So, I'll take it out on you. Once M Hart returns to Crestview Metropolis to get engaged to Ms. Kate, who will remember Claire from this remote village? I can bully you however I want!"

With a bang, I kicked the door open. I marched up and slapped the maid across the face.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

She covered her face, not daring to retaliate, knowing the cameras around us would show everything to Claude, sealing her fate.

I warned, "I'm warning you. Lay a finger on Lydia again, and I'll ensure you wish you were dead!"

The new maid ran off crying, and then I saw Lydia tied up, tears streaming down her face.

The maid's audacity must have been on Claude's orders, thinking to control me by targeting Lydia but not allowing any harm to come to me.

The new maid said Claude's trip to Crestview Metropolis was to engage Kate. He didn't plan to tell me about the engagement but said he loved me. How ridiculous.

In this life, the only thing unchanged about Claude was his ambition!