But just then, Butler Dayne burst into the tea room, panting. "Stop immediately! She’s an honored guest!"
Arabelle smiled sweetly and stepped forward. "Butler Dayne, you’re here. Please, take us inside."
But to everyone’s surprise, Butler Dayne walked right past her and came directly to me.
"Let go. All of you, let her go!"
The bodyguards released me at once. Butler Dayne bowed respectfully.
"Miss Liora, please come with me. Mrs. Montgomery wishes to see you."
The entire room fell into stunned silence.
Jaxon quickly pulled Arabelle aside and questioned, "Are you sure you’re not mistaken? This is Arabelle."
The maid hurried to add, "Yes, yes! Butler Dayne, maybe you got the names confused?"
Butler Dayne cast her a cold glance. "You’re fired. You don’t even know who the true honored guest of the Montgomery family is." Without sparing them another look, he turned and led me away.
I felt dazed. It was the first time in this world someone had shown me such dignity.
"This, how could this be possible? She’s just a housewife…" Arabelle’s stunned murmur echoed behind me.
Right in front of Jaxon and Arabelle, I followed Butler Dayne and walked out first.
We passed through a quiet covered walkway, and at its end stood a redwood door. The moment it opened, a slender figure appeared behind a gauzy curtain.
My eyes widened as I froze in place. "It’s really you?"
She smiled softly. "Miss Liora, it’s been a long time."
She stepped forward and gently took my hand. Just as I was about to respond, she suddenly dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.
"Please save my son!"
Behind us, Jaxon and Arabelle stood frozen in shock, having followed and witnessed the entire scene.
Before I could say a word, Arabelle shoved me aside and stepped forward to help.
"Aunt Tessa, what are you doing? You’re actually kneeling to someone like her?"
Tessa brushed her hand away without hesitation and turned back, resolutely kneeling at my feet.
"Please, I know you can do it."
Jaxon stared at me with confusion in his eyes, as if unable to understand what kind of strength a quiet woman like me, someone only known for taking care of others, could possibly possess.
I gently helped Tessa to her feet and said, "Since I’ve agreed to marry him, he is my fiancé, and I’ll take responsibility for him."