Marked in Secrets

The dining room suddenly fell silent.

Vivian Clarke froze for a moment.

Then her eyes quickly turned red. "Maya is still young. She doesn't know any better. Mr. Lincoln only asked me to sit closer because he hurt his back while working on the project today. He wanted me nearby so I could take care of him. I never meant to disrespect Mrs. Lincoln."

My dad, Eric Lincoln, put down his wineglass and glared at my mother, Lydia Lincoln. "Lydia, you've spoiled Maya too much. How dare she say something like that in front of her elders!"

I blinked and put down my cheese stick. "That’s not what happened."

I looked at the words floating above Vivian's head. "Ultimate gold digger."

Then I said loudly, "I heard the maids talking behind the rock garden yesterday while I was playing outside. They said Vivian wants to steal you away, Dad. Were you and Vivian locking the door yesterday because you were playing hide-and-seek?"

Eric's face instantly darkened.

Vivian covered her chest and stood up, tears streaming down her face. "Mr. Lincoln, please don't blame Maya. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have stayed for dinner..."

"Enough!" Grandpa Alex Lincoln slammed his hand against the table. The dishes rattled from the impact.

I looked up and saw the word above Alex's head. "Judge."

He stared coldly at Eric. "I don't care if you bring your secretary home for dinner. But she needs to show some manners!"

Then he turned and glared at Vivian. "Since you know you're a secretary, you should know where you're supposed to sit. Stand up and give your seat to Lydia. Now!"

Vivian's face turned bright red.

She bit her lip and looked at Eric for help.

Eric clearly felt sorry for her, but under Alex's absolute authority, he didn't dare argue.

"Just move," he said reluctantly.

Lydia had remained silent the whole time.

She quietly walked over and sat down in the seat that had always belonged to her.

I glanced at the words above Lydia's head. "Loser." The gray label didn't move at all.

The rest of the meal was eaten in complete silence.

After dinner, Alex went to his study.

Vivian stood in the living room and cried nonstop.

She looked deeply hurt.

"Mr. Lincoln, I'm just an outsider. If I stay here, I'll only make Mrs. Lincoln and Maya unhappy. If everyone hates me this much, I'll resign tomorrow. I don't want to make things difficult for you."

After saying that, she turned and started walking toward the door.

Eric immediately grabbed her arm. "You don't have to leave. As long as I'm here, no one can force you out!"

Then he turned and glared angrily at Lydia. "Lydia, can you stop making a scene? Vivian worked herself sick for the company. Can't you even let her have one meal with us?"