His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza used to be someone who embraced life to the fullest, finding joy in gardening and caring for animals. But Casper wasn't a fan of flowers, dogs, or cats. There was a time she brought home a stray cat, and when he found out, he flung it from the second floor. She was terrified, but luckily, the cat landed on soft grass and survived. From then on, she never had the courage to let any pets into the house again. As they chatted, Marian had already led Eliza to the living room.

"Ma'am, should I take your luggage to the master bedroom?"

"Just leave it here for now, Marian," she replied softly.

Marian quickly caught on; Eliza wasn't the only woman in the house anymore-there was Nova, too. This was something they'd have to bring up when Casper got back.

"Please have a seat then. I'll go slice some fruit for you."

"That's not necessary, Marian."

"It's no trouble at all. Please wait."

Marian headed to the kitchen to busy herself. Eliza glanced around the familiar yet alien house, feeling deeply fatigued.

The sound of a car approaching reached her ears. She looked up. Casper was back.

After the driver parked, Casper lifted Nova out of the car. Nova gazed at Casper with adoring and dewy eyes.

"Thank you, Casper, for taking such good care of me on the way here."

Casper didn't say much, but he obviously enjoyed the attention.

"Marian," Nova called out.

Marian, who had just brought out the fruit, set down the tray and hurried out, "Coming, Ms. Nova."

"Please take these suitcases upstairs. The clothes need to be hung, and the shoes arranged neatly. Also, I'm tired. Prepare a bath for me."

Marian quickly agreed, struggling with two suitcases in each hand as she went inside. Nova, chatting and laughing, followed Casper into the house.

When Nova noticed Eliza, she was momentarily stunned. After her shock passed, she quickly offered a warm smile. "Casper said you'd be here to take care of me. I didn't believe him, and I was wondering how you could possibly stoop to servant's work... Thanks for your hard work, Eliza." Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

"Casper, thank you. But really, I can take care of myself. There's no need to trouble Eliza," she said, her eyes shining with feigned sincerity as she looked at Casper.

"It's fine. She can handle it," he responded coldly, barely glancing at Eliza.

Eliza smiled, as tears of sorrow and resentment seemed to spread in her eyes,

After Casper helped Nova sit down, she rubbed her feet and said, "I'm really tired, Casper. I'd like to soak my feet. Is that okay?" Casper glanced at Eliza. "Prepare the foot bath."

She looked up, meeting his eyes squarely. Shock, disbelief, unwillingness, and compliance all swirled complexly in her gaze.

Just then, Marian came down from upstairs. She had just finished preparing the bath, and now a foot soak was requested, "Sir, let me do it."

"Eliza can do it," he said, as cold as ice.

Eliza remained silent and walked to the bathroom. Marian followed, saying with mixed emotions, "Mrs. Welton, let me do it. You shouldn't have to do such work." "Marian, I'm no more noble than you."

In Casper's eyes, she might've been worth less than a servant.

Marian felt a pang of sadness. She had been with Eliza for two years and Eliza had never made things difficult for the Welton family staff. In terms of character, Eliza was leagues ahead of Nova.