Powers' Mansion – in Frances' room
"Are you feeling alright, Mrs. Hale?" Margaret asked gently, concern etched across her face as she watched the elderly woman stir.
"I'm fine, my dear. Thank you. You know how it is—we're getting older. This must be part of it," Frances replied with a strained smile, slowly pushing herself upright.
"Please don't move just yet,. You've only just recovered. You might relapse," the woman cautioned.
"But there's still so much to do. I don't want the work piling up," the old woman insisted.
"No need to worry. I finished all the inspections last night, sorted the work orders, and even arranged Senyorito Edward's appointments," Margaret said with a reassuring smile.
"You did all that?" Frances gasped.
"Yes, Mrs. Hale. It wasn't difficult—after all, you taught me everything," Margaret replied.
Outside the room, Eduardo stood quietly, unintentionally overhearing the exchange. His admiration for Luisa deepened—her diligence and humility were undeniable.
"What about Lord Martin?" Frances asked again.
"I tend to his tasks while he sleeps. I've memorized his routine."
"You clever girl. Your parents must be proud."
"Not really. My sister and I consider it a blessing to have grown up with discipline and love—especially for our elders and everyone else."
"Go on now. Lord Martin might be looking for you."
Don Martin's Room
While tending to Don Martin, Luisa was asked to retrieve a jewelry box from the open safe. The old man opened it and revealed two necklaces, each bearing the letter "E."
"These belonged to my mother, Lady Elena , and her sister, Lady Eleonor" he explained.
"They're beautiful," Margaret whispered in awe.
"They're heirlooms from our lineage—brought from Spain. It's tradition to pass them on to the future wife of the next Powers."
"But why are there two?"
"They were twins. My aunt never married—she devoted her life to the family. That's why these mean so much to me."
"That's a sad fate," The kind woman murmured.
"For us, twins carry deep meaning."
Margaret hesitated, then asked, "Miss Tyra… is she the one you've chosen to receive these heirlooms?"
Lord Martin shook his head. "I don't approve of her for Edward. I don't understand why my son chose that woman. You know, my dear … I'd rather have you as my future daughter-in-law. And if it's beauty we're talking about, you have that too. But more than anything, I feel your kindness."
Margaret's world seemed to pause. "Sir? I… I think Miss Tyra is more beautiful," she replied cautiously.
"My Margaret, beauty is all that woman has. Have you noticed? No one welcomes her when she visits. I've even overheard the staff whispering—calling her 'the princess of darkness.'"
Margaret fell silent, her gaze drawn to the red and blue diamonds that seemed to speak to her, as if foreshadowing days to come.
"The blue represents my mother's kindness and humility. The red, my aunt's courage and intellect. Both suit you."
Months Later…
Lord Martin's health steadily improved—he could walk and stand for long periods. The entire mansion rejoiced.
"You've done an excellent job," praised Dr. Gates. "A few more months and Lord Martin will be walking normally."
"I've been thinking of helping Margaret get her license," the doctor added.
"She's not leaving. She'll stay here," Lord Martin declared firmly with a slight piss, leaving both the doctor and Edward puzzled.
"But I only meant—"
"Silencio." The old man's command was final—no one dared challenge his decision.
Margaret's room later that day.
Margaret was startled when her sister Marilyn arrived unexpectedly.
"Marilyn? What are you doing here?"
"Vincent picked me up. Lord Martin summoned me. I'm to work here now."
Mrs. Frances Hale entered.
"Lord Martin is calling you both for a meeting."
"Mrs. Hale , this is my sister, Marilyn."
"We've met. She's kind—just like you," Yaya Ising replied.
More Months Passed.Eduardo found himself slowly drawn to Margaret and making him forgetting Tyra. One night, he returned wounded—shot. He was bedridden for days.
"Margaret and I removed the bullets two days ago. Thankfully, her blood type matched," Dr. Gates explained.
"Where is she now?" Edward asked when that day he regain bit of his strength and conscious, struggling to sit up.
"Marilyn her sister took her to their room. She's been watching over you almost every night," the doctor replied.
Don Martin visited his son and recounted how Luisa had cared for him. That night, despite Eduardo's fever, Luisa stayed by his side, sleepless. When Eduardo awoke and heard of Margaret's sacrifices, his admiration deepened. In the Days That Followed
As Edward fully recovered, he began secretly observing all Margaret's actions including talking to her fellow co workers . Something finally unfamiliar stirred within him. One day, he noticed Luisa and Vincent chatting closely during their day off. Curious, he approached Marilyn.
"Sir Edward, there's no truth to your suspicion that my sister and Vincent are romantically involved," Marilyn laughed.
"But they seem so close," Edward said with a hint of jealousy.
"That's normal, sir. Vincent grew up with us in the country side. Even though our parents had a few disagreements, we were childhood playmates," the woman added.
Suddenly, Tyra arrived, interrupting them dispectfully.
"Hi honey!" she greeted, then scowled at Marilyn.
"What are you doing here? Hey, get out of my sight!" she snapped.
"I'll leave now, Sir" Marilyn said politely.
As she walked away, Tyra deliberately tripped her.
"Stupid maid! Starving and weak!" Tyra sneered.
"Miss Tyra, first of all, you have no right to insult me. You're not my employer, nor do you pay my salary. And as far as I know, while Sir Edward was bedridden for days, you never even visited," the woman said firmly, holding back her anger.
"I'll return to work now, sir," she added.
"What are you implying? That I'm not fulfilling my role as his fiancée? How dare you!" Tyra shouted, attempting to slap her.
She raised her hand to strike again, but Marilyn blocked it and shoved the bad woman to the floor.
"I respect you, Miss Tyra. But remember—I'm not like my younger sister. I don't have the patience dealing people like you," Marilyn said coldly before walking away.
"Honey, look at your maid! She's so rude!" Tyra complained, but Edward remained silent.
"Tyra, you seem to forget—we're not married yet. Fix your attitude toward others. I won't be the one to carry the weight of your sins," Edward replied coolly.
Humiliated, Tyra left the mansion.