If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Chapter 77

“Follow me.”

Catherine firmly led Georgiana to a sunny, bright room despite repeated refusals.

As the room was near Raymond’s office, Georgiana guessed it was used by Angela’s mother, Veronica, based on the feminine furniture and decor.

The gold-embellished wallpaper, white-painted peony wood furniture, and ivory sculptures—all elements were of unparalleled luxury.

She had heard that Veronica had left this world over a year ago, yet the room was still maintained as if its owner might return any day.

“Why have we come here?”

Georgiana, looking puzzled, asked Catherine, who was bringing clothes along with the garment rack.

“Why do you think? Didn’t you say you needed clothes? The master had previously instructed me to give these unnecessary clothes to you, Miss Owen.”

“What? Clothes from this room? I never asked for such a thing!”

“I already found it bothersome to see you teaching in those worn-out clothes. It seems the master shared the same sentiment.”

Clicking her tongue, Catherine gave Georgiana’s clothes a once-over.

Georgiana’s ears flushed red with humiliation at the unsolicited charity she hadn’t requested or desired.

“I was actually planning to go to town to buy clothes. I don’t think I need to take anything from this room.”

Though she didn’t mind receiving clothes before, she couldn’t bear the thought of wearing the clothes of the deceased madam.

She also felt that wearing them might inadvertently hurt the child’s longing for her mother.

Is this truly Raymond’s intention?

Georgiana found it difficult to trust the woman standing before her.

“Is it because they’re someone else’s clothes? Even the oldest garment here is likely better than what you are currently wearing.”

“That’s not what I mean. I simply don’t need this kind of favor. Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Raymond and let him know that I planned to buy new clothes for myself.”

She wanted to leave immediately and head to town.

Even if it meant saving less money, she intended to buy a few outfits.

She wasn’t ashamed of her worn clothes but preferred to avoid drawing this kind of attention.

“Then how about these? They’re old and were going to be sorted out by the late madam anyway. Surely, you wouldn’t refuse even these?”

As Georgiana turned to leave, fists clenched, Catherine forcibly handed her a few less extravagant garments.

“I’m fine, really.”

“It wouldn’t be wise to disregard the master’s goodwill in this way.”

Reluctant to receive them, Georgiana eventually held the clothes in her arms, sensing that this tedious exchange wouldn’t end otherwise.

She resolved to return them through the head butler or simply not wear them.

Later that evening, she decided to find Raymond herself and express her thoughts directly, ensuring such “kindness” wouldn’t be repeated.

Without a word of thanks, she firmly closed her lips and turned away, only to hear a biting remark behind her about her lack of gratitude.

What on earth is her scheme?

Georgiana was convinced Catherine wouldn’t do such things without a hidden agenda. She returned to her room.

As soon as she opened the door and went in, she habitually scanned her surroundings.

Had it started again?

Traces of an intruder were evident on the traps she had set up.

***

As Georgiana disappeared down the corridor, Joan, who had been hiding behind a pillar, entered the room where Catherine was.

“Oh my goodness.”

She was startled to find Catherine lying spread-eagle on the madam’s bed.

Even though the madam was no longer present, such irreverence made Joan uneasy, fearing someone might witness it. Fortunately, the master was out, and the corridors were deserted.

Since the madam’s passing, Catherine had unjustly accused Angela’s nanny and driven her out, gradually seizing a level of authority rivaling that of the lady of the house. Her behavior grew increasingly unrestrained, though she never crossed the line in front of the butler or the master, leaving no one to rein her in.

Initially, she had tried to manipulate the naive young madam who inherited the estate. When that failed, she seemed to have lived quietly for a time but resumed her misconduct the previous year.

Though the head maid ostensibly had authority over personnel, Catherine’s actions were excessive. Anyone who crossed her was met with bad rumors or reassignment to grueling tasks.

Joan had tried hard not to fall out of Catherine’s favor but found herself reaching her limit.

Just moments ago, she had followed Catherine’s orders to hide the late madam’s jewelry in the new governess’s room. She didn’t know what Catherine planned to do with it, but she had no say in the matter.

Of course, Joan wanted to please the master, and it was true she felt envious of the governess, whose beauty was so striking it was hard to look away. Still, she wondered if such actions were truly justified.

The governess was much kinder to Angela than her predecessors and never displayed unbecoming behavior.

It must be because she doesn’t submit to Catherine’s authority. Her delicate appearance belied a surprising resolve, evident in her insistence on learning marksmanship.

However.

“Joan, what are you standing there for? If you’re here to report, you must have completed the task I assigned you?”

Catherine, propped up on one elbow, asked. Joan quickly shook off her thoughts and responded promptly.

“Of course. I hid it well in a discreet place. I came to report that to you.”

As everyone knew, a powerless maid couldn’t defy the head maid.

“Good. You’ll continue to be in charge of preparing the master’s meals this month.”

“Thank you, Head Maid.”

Suppressing her guilty conscience, Joan expressed her gratitude.

“Come here for a moment.”

Catherine, now sitting on the edge of the bed, gestured for Joan to approach.

“Didn’t you say your niece would be born soon? Use this to buy a gift.”

Catherine pulled some coins from her pocket and handed them to Joan, whose eyes widened in surprise.

It was equivalent to a week’s wages.

“Th-thank you.”

“It’s only fair between us. But I do have a favor to ask. Will you grant it?”

Speaking as if they shared a special bond, Catherine’s tone was unusually kind.

Joan erased her earlier sympathy for the governess and nodded without hesitation.

“It’s nothing major. Just dispose of all her clothes—except the ones taken from this room.”

“Her clothes?”

Though unsure, Joan knew the governess owned very few things, making the request all the more surprising.

Catherine nodded impatiently at Joan’s confused look.

“Yes. I can’t stand seeing her parading around in rags anymore. Please, remove them from my sight.”

“Yes? Y-yes!”

When Joan hesitated, seemingly about to question the unreasonable request, Catherine furrowed her brows. Joan quickly realized and nodded her understanding.

Compared to other tasks, this seemed like an easy errand—

All she had to do was dispose of the clothes hung out in the laundry area.

She had already seen the governess returning empty-handed from the laundry area earlier. Since she had nothing with her, it was likely that she had hung the washed clothes there.

Thinking she would run straight to the laundry as soon as she left this room, Joan confidently answered, “I will take care of it immediately.”

“Good. The sooner, the better. Don’t worry about what happens after. If anyone questions you, just say you don’t know anything. After all, there will be no evidence or witnesses.”

“Understood.”

“Good. I’m counting on you, Joan.”

With a smile, Catherine patted Joan’s back several times before leaving the room.

Left alone, Joan hastily straightened the rumpled bedding before heading directly to the laundry area.

Since the governess always wore the same clothes, it wasn’t hard to find her belongings.

Joan quickly snatched the clothes from the laundry line and buried them under the ground near the mansion’s wall. Tall flowers grew around the area, ensuring no one could detect any signs of digging.

After cleaning the dirt from her hands to erase the evidence, Joan reported back to Catherine.

Later that evening.

While the governess was eating, Joan deliberately stumbled, pretending to trip, and spilled the tray’s contents onto her clothes.

The governess’s eyes widened in distress, and her expression turned troubled, pricking Joan’s conscience once again. But Joan quickly averted her gaze.

Even without the old clothes, the governess had received the madam’s garments earlier today. Surely, she could just change into one of those.

Joan watched as the governess went to fetch clothes from the laundry, only to return empty-handed and ultimately don one of the madam’s outfits.

It was a dress the madam had cherished, often reminiscing about wearing it during her courtship days with the master.

The dress had been beautiful when the madam wore it, but when the governess put it on, the transformation was astounding—like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.

Even Joan, who was watching in awe, wasn’t alone in her reaction.

The master, who happened to cross paths with the governess in the corridor, was equally stunned. His face betrayed his shock as he stared at her.