Chapter 10: Grasshoppers on the Same String

"Vomit, hurry up." All she cared about now was how to induce vomiting so he could expel the poison.

The man looked at her as if she were a monster, his face filled with anger. "What are you talking about, vomiting?"

"You need to vomit it out; that medicine cannot be taken," she said, trying to pry open his mouth again. But before her fingers could reach his throat, he pushed her away.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm doing this for your own good," she retorted, looking at him as if he didn't understand her intentions.

"For my own good? Why should I believe you?"

Facing the man who doubted her, Selena Patrick felt utterly helpless. She had heard someone was going to poison him, but did she have any evidence?

No.

Without evidence, it was just a rumor. She had only just entered the Maugham family, and no one would take her seriously. How much credibility did her words hold?

"If you don't believe me, then forget it."

She felt powerless. The matters of the Maugham family seemed far more complicated than she had imagined. She hadn't yet gained Jeffrey Maugham's trust, so her words were in vain.

The man gave her a once-over. "I asked you to make me a cup of coffee. Where's the coffee?"

Selena Patrick had completely forgotten about it. His question caught her off guard. "Ah?"

"Did you drink the coffee yourself?"

"I... I'll go make it right now," she said, patting her head and hurrying off.

After she left, the man's expression darkened. He opened his palm, looking at the pills, a cold smile playing on his lips. Now, the attempts to harm him were so blatant that even Selena Patrick, who had just entered the family, knew about the poisoning.

He crushed the pills into powder and threw them into the trash can...

Distracted, Selena Patrick almost scalded herself while making the coffee. The butler, noticing her absent-mindedness, approached and asked, "Young Madam, are you feeling a bit tired?"

"No, not at all," she quickly tidied up the countertop.

"The Young Master has a temper due to his health issues. You might find it hard to adjust since you just arrived, but things will get better."

The butler's face bore a kind, reassuring smile.

Selena Patrick nodded. "He is quite peculiar."

"The Young Master has been in poor health since childhood, and his condition has worsened in recent years. We hope that under your care, he will gradually improve."

Selena Patrick didn't want to dampen the butler's spirits, but she thought that under her care, whether Jeffrey Maugham would get better or not was uncertain, but at least he might die a little slower.

"Let's hope so."

"If you need anything or any help, feel free to ask. If you need the matriarch's assistance, you can also go to her directly."

The butler still appeared very amiable.

But Selena Patrick trusted no one. She felt that everyone in the Maugham family had a huge secret.

And the only person she could rely on now was Jeffrey Maugham. They were in the same boat. If Jeffrey Maugham died, she wouldn't fare well either.

So, he must live, and the longer, the better.

Carrying the coffee, Selena Patrick returned to the bedroom. The man glanced at her casually. "It wasn't easy to get a cup of coffee."

"Here it is, drink it," she said, placing the coffee in front of him.

His gaze shifted from the coffee to her face. "I don't want coffee anymore. Cut me a fruit platter instead."

Selena Patrick: ...

"What are you standing there for? Go ahead."

With a thud, she placed the coffee cup on the bedside table and glared at him. "Are you doing this on purpose?"

"On purpose for what?" He lifted his eyelids indifferently, looking at her without emotion.

"I just entered the house today, and you're treating me like a servant. What's your intention? If you dislike me, why don't you ask Grandma to divorce me? Wouldn't that be better?"

Selena Patrick was full of frustration. She had already endured enough in the Patrick family, and now she had to endure more in the Maugham family.

"Doing such a small task makes you feel so wronged?" Jeffrey Maugham put down his phone and looked at her. "As the wife of the Maugham family, these are your duties."

"Is this how you drove away your last wife?" Selena Patrick taunted him.

"She died," he said.

Selena Patrick was shocked. She hadn't meant to make light of a deceased person. "I'm sorry, I didn't know..."

"There are many things you don't know. Do your duty, and you'll have fewer troubles."

Selena Patrick didn't fully grasp the deeper meaning of Jeffrey Maugham's words. On the surface, he might just want her to behave and uphold the family's reputation. Once in the Maugham family, her every word and action would be scrutinized.

Thinking about this, Selena Patrick felt disheartened. Jeffrey Maugham didn't seem to like her much. Who could she rely on in the Maugham family?

After cutting the fruit platter, Selena Patrick brought it to Jeffrey Maugham. This time, the man didn't order her around but invited her to sit and eat together.

Selena Patrick was already past hungry, and the day's tension made her extremely sleepy. "I want to sleep for a bit. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Fine," he agreed.

Wearing her clothes, Selena Patrick leaned against the chaise lounge in the bedroom, ready to rest. She fell into a deep sleep, only to be woken by a young, tender voice.

"You're so lazy," the little boy said, dressed in a neat suit, looking like a miniature adult, clearly displeased.

Still groggy, Selena Patrick forced her eyes open and squinted at the little guy. "Ah?"

"Everyone is waiting for you to eat. Why aren't you getting up?"

Selena Patrick rubbed her eyes and scratched her head, feeling the stiffness in her back.

Damn.

Had she really slept on this hard chaise all night?

"You sure got up early," she said, reaching out to ruffle the little guy's hair.

In return, she got a disdainful, "Don't touch my head."

"What's wrong with touching your head? Such a big temper for a little kid."

Selena Patrick stood up, stretching lazily. The chaise looked comfortable, but it was a real pain. She felt like her back was about to break.

"Hey," the little guy called her sternly.

Selena Patrick glanced at him distractedly. "What, little brat?"

"You're very impolite," the little guy said seriously.

Selena Patrick pointed at herself, confirming the statement was directed at her. "I'm impolite?"

"Yes, you," the little guy pointed at her.

"Then tell me, how am I being impolite?" she asked, hands on her hips, ready to confront him.

The little guy climbed onto the chaise, tilting his head back and putting his hands on his hips. "You touched my head earlier. You need to apologize."

"What's the big deal about touching your head? Is it made of gold?" She ruffled his hair with both hands. "I touched it, so what?"