The moment the woman appeared, everyone immediately stepped aside and lowered their heads in respect.
A clear path opened before her without a single word being spoken.
Marion Caden walked forward with effortless elegance, her movements calm as she approached the scene.
Despite finding Eliza Trinket unconscious at the bottom of the stairs, very little changed in her expression.
Only the same composed dignity she had displayed from the moment she arrived.
Stopping a short distance away, she lightly opened her fan before turning her attention toward one of the nearby servants.
"Tell me," she said in a calm voice, "what happened here?"
The servant visibly stiffened.
Being addressed so suddenly by the lady of the house clearly caught him off guard.
"Y...Yes, my lady."
After gathering himself, he quickly explained everything he knew about the incident.
Marion listened quietly from beginning to end without interrupting him.
When he finished, she gently waved her fan.
"Oh? So that's what happened."
Her gaze briefly drifted toward Eliza's unconscious figure.
"How unfortunate. What could have caused her to fall?"
There was a trace of sympathy in her voice, though her expression remained difficult to read.
The servant who had arrived alongside her spoke up before anyone else could answer.
"I believe she simply lost her balance, my lady.You know... age eventually catches up with everyone."
Marion gave a small nod, "I suppose that's possible."
Throughout the entire exchange, the young man standing beside her remained silent.
He merely observed the scene with quiet eyes, showing little interest in joining the conversation.
Once it became clear that no one had a better explanation, the elderly servant immediately began issuing orders.
"You two."
He pointed toward a pair of nearby servants, "carry her to her room at once and send for a physician."
The two servants bowed respectfully.
Without wasting any time, they carefully lifted Eliza and carried her away from the staircase.
Only after ensuring the situation was under control did the elderly servant turn toward the remaining crowd.
His expression hardened slightly.
"And the rest of you, "his gaze swept across the gathered servants, "return to your duties immediately. I don't want any delays today."
The crowd quickly dispersed after receiving the order. Within minutes, the area around the staircase had nearly emptied as servants hurried back to their duties.
The elderly servant then turned toward Marion and her son before bowing respectfully.
"My lady, master, there is no need for concern. If her condition proves serious, I will find a suitable replacement. Once the physician gives his opinion, I shall handle the matter accordingly. Please do not trouble yourselves with it."
Marion answered with a faint smile while lightly waving her fan, "yes, Roland. You may handle the matter as you see fit. However, if her condition truly requires a replacement, inform me."
"As you wish, my lady."
She then turned toward her son, "come, Edric. We were supposed to leave already."
The young man simply nodded in response. Neither of them spared another glance toward the stairs before continuing on their way. Roland bowed once more and said, "I wish you both a good day."
Only after the two nobles disappeared from sight did he straighten his back. The calm expression on his face gradually faded, replaced by a more serious one.
Without wasting any time, he headed upstairs toward Eliza Trinket's room. Before making any decisions regarding a replacement, he needed to know how severe her injuries actually were.
For a brief moment, the area seemed completely empty.
In reality, it was not.
Hidden beneath the stairs, Stella and Evelyn were still there.
The two girls had intentionally remained behind, quietly listening to the entire conversation.
For Evelyn, any information related to the Caden family was valuable. Opportunities to observe members of the household directly were not something she intended to waste.
Only after Roland disappeared upstairs did the two finally emerge from their hiding place. They walked away from the building and continued toward the rear gardens before speaking.
Once she was certain nobody could overhear them, Stella turned toward Evelyn with a serious expression.
"How did you do that? And why didn't you tell me beforehand? We could have found a better solution than throwing an old woman down a stairs, Evelyn."
Although Eliza had been a constant source of irritation, Stella had never intended for things to escalate this far. She had considered other methods, slower methods perhaps, but methods that would not leave the woman bedridden.
Evelyn, however, appeared completely unconcerned.
"Well, I suspected you wouldn't approve," she replied calmly.
"But honestly, Alina, I don't think we had another choice. That woman has worked here for more than ten years. She has the trust of everyone in this mansion."
A faint smile appeared on her face, "I know what you were planning. You wanted to damage her reputation and make her appear incompetent at her work. It was a clever idea, but not a practical one."
Stella remained silent.
"For now, we only need to inform Thomas. He'll handle the rest. During her recovery, we should gather as much information as possible and complete the mission before anyone becomes suspicious. Besides, you're my assistant here. I'll ask for your help whenever I need it. You don't have to do everything yourself."
After hearing that explanation, Stella found herself reassessing Evelyn once again.
Perhaps she had underestimated her. This girl was far more dangerous than she appeared.
In the end, Stella simply nodded, "fine. I understand. You're right. But next time, if you're planning something like this, tell me beforehand. Helping you is supposed to be part of my job, isn't it?"
Evelyn laughed softly, "yes, of course."
She then quickened her pace, "now come on. We should get back before someone notices we're not working."
The two girls soon rejoined the other servants. As Stella walked alongside them, her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
"Things are becoming far more complicated here. If I lower my guard even once, either side might end up destroying me!"