As expected, Eliza Trinket's injuries left her unable to work for quite some time.
The physician confirmed that she had suffered a fractured leg, a broken left arm, and several lesser injuries from the fall. As a result, she was forced into a lengthy period of recovery. Even under the best circumstances, the physician estimated that she would be unable to resume her duties for several weeks, leaving the household with little choice but to appoint someone else in her place.
A replacement was appointed almost immediately.
The position of acting housekeeper was given to an older servant named Matilda, a woman in her thirties who had served the Caden household for many years.
Although she lacked Eliza's intimidating presence, her years of experience had earned her the quiet respect of both the senior servants and the newer staff.
For Stella and Evelyn, the change came as a relief.
They had already become somewhat familiar with Matilda during their first days in the estate. Unlike Eliza Trinket, she was neither overly strict nor constantly searching for faults, and far easier to work with and generally treated the servants with a reasonable degree of fairness. As long as everyone fulfilled their responsibilities properly, she rarely found a reason to raise her voice or single anyone out unnecessarily.
With their first obstacle temporarily removed, both girls found themselves able to breathe a little easier.
However, Evelyn's attention quickly shifted toward the next challenge.
Their mission had not changed.
Unfortunately, gathering information about the Caden family had proven far more difficult than expected.
Members of the family rarely appeared in areas where ordinary servants worked. Most of their daily lives remained hidden within the estate's private quarters, leaving very few opportunities to observe them directly.
The mansion itself seemed carefully designed to keep the affairs of its masters separate from the daily routines of the servants, making even accidental encounters surprisingly uncommon.
For Evelyn, that was becoming a serious problem.
After leaving her message for Thomas in the agreed location the previous day, she had been waiting for a reply, or at least some guidance regarding the mission's progress. Until then, she had little choice but to continue observing the household on her own while avoiding anything that might draw unnecessary attention.
As for Stella, her thoughts were elsewhere.
She simply wanted to survive this assignment without being crushed somewhere in the middle. Every new day inside the estate seemed to bring another unexpected complication, and she had already learned that even the smallest mistake could carry serious consequences.
Even so, she continued cooperating with Evelyn and performed her role well.
Partly because Evelyn had stopped Jack from killing her that day, and partly because Stella still considered herself an outsider to all of this. None of it was truly her fight. If everything went according to plan, she intended to complete the mission, leave the Caden estate behind, and never become involved with people like them again.
The following morning, the two girls reported for duty before dawn as usual. The first light of morning had only just begun to brighten the eastern sky, while most of the estate still rested in silence. Even so, the servants' day had already begun, just as it did every morning without fail.
At first, everything appeared completely normal.
However, as the morning progressed, something began to feel different.
Servants moved through the corridors more quickly than usual. Messages were carried back and forth, and even Matilda seemed unusually busy.
Footsteps echoed constantly throughout the residence as maids, footmen, and attendants hurried from one task to another. Polished trays, neatly folded table linens, and boxes of fresh supplies changed hands without pause. Even the servants who normally carried themselves with quiet composure seemed to move with unusual urgency.
The entire residence felt busier than normal.
Stella observed the activity for a moment before speaking.
"There must be something important happening today in the family residence. Is there some kind of visit or meeting?"
Evelyn watched the servants moving around them before answering.
"I don't know either. New servants usually aren't informed about important occasions here."
A faint smile crossed her lips.
"But I know someone who will."
She turned toward Stella.
"Come on."
Without another word, she started walking.
"Let's go to the kitchen."
When the two girls arrived, they found the kitchen overflowing with activity.
Servants hurried back and forth carrying ingredients while cooks shouted instructions across the room. Pots simmered over the fires, and the aroma of roasted meat, fresh bread, and fragrant herbs filled the air. The entire kitchen seemed to be operating at twice its usual pace.
The rhythmic sound of knives striking wooden boards blended with the clatter of pots and plates, while clouds of steam drifted through the room. Despite the apparent chaos, everyone seemed to know exactly where they needed to be, each movement guided by years of routine and experience.
Rather than entering, Evelyn remained near the doorway, quietly observing everything.
Meanwhile, Stella kept watch in the corridor, making sure none of the servants from their work group happened to pass by and report their presence to Matilda.
The last thing she wanted was to explain why they had abandoned their duties to lurk around the kitchen. Every servant who passed by made her tense for a brief moment before continuing on their way, allowing her to relax once more.
After several minutes, Evelyn finally stepped away from the doorway and returned.
A satisfied smile appeared on her face.
"I heard the head cook talking," she said quietly.
Stella immediately turned toward her.
"What did you hear?"
"The entire Caden family will be gathering here for dinner tonight."
Such gatherings were uncommon. Most members of the family followed their own schedules, and meals were rarely shared by everyone at once. Whatever the reason, tonight's dinner was clearly important.
Evelyn's smile faded.
"This is the best opportunity we've had so far to gather information."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"We need to find a way to get assigned to serve that table."
Her gaze met Stella's.
"At least one of us has to get close enough to listen. If we let this chance slip away, it may be a long time before another one presents itself."
The moment Stella heard those words, a headache seemed to form behind her eyes.
" Wonderful...," she sighed inwardly, " Just when I thought things couldn't get any more complicated."