Chapter 18

“It seems that you’re not glad to see us, Miss Ella.” It was Patty who noticed it but the rest of the staff agreed to her observation.

“Silly. Of course, I’m thrilled to welcome you back. You are just in time, actually. Hmm, I want you to prepare something delicious for lunch and make it a lot.” She instructed Patty to use her expertise in cooking.

“What’s the occasion, Miss Ella?” Patty inquired.

“My husband was leaving for the Marines,” she made up the story that Marcus was recruited to join the Marines. There were loopholes in the story but who cares?

“So soon?”

“Unfortunately, yes. By the way, where’s my mother?” Daniella inquired when there was no sign of her stepmother.

“She said she’s going to meet her daughter,” Patty answered.

Daniella nodded. “I see. I have to get something from the vineyard, Patty. So I trust you to prepare everything, okay?”

“Yes, Miss,” Patty answered before she called on everyone to see to their post and