The Millionaire’s Bride Mocked a Poor Maid—She Never Expected What Happened Next
Chapter 4
The next morning, Beatrice made sure everyone knew Anna had offended her.
At breakfast she ordered the maid to polish silver until her fingers hurt.
At luncheon she accused her of spilling wine.
By afternoon she had told three servants that Anna would soon be dismissed.
Anna endured it.
But her thoughts were elsewhere.
That evening, when the household quieted, she slipped outside.
The old chapel stood beyond the garden, half-covered by ivy.
The door groaned when she unlocked it.
Inside, dust covered the wooden pews.
Moonlight entered through broken windows.
Anna searched the floor.
Nothing.
Then she noticed a stone beneath the altar.
The iron key fit a small lock hidden underneath.
A section of flooring lifted.
Inside was a wooden chest.
Anna opened it.
There were account books.
Letters.
Property deeds.
And one document carrying the seal of Elias Hawthorne.
Anna read it slowly.
The truth was undeniable.
Her mother had been named beneficiary of a substantial portion of the Hawthorne estate.
But there was more.
The document stated that if Anna’s mother died before claiming the inheritance, the rights would pass to her daughter.
Anna.
She sat back.
The poor maid mocked at breakfast was, by law, connected to one of the largest fortunes in the colonies.
But she had no desire for the money.
She wanted to know why her family had been robbed of it.
A noise came from outside.
Anna quickly closed the chest.
Voices approached.
She hid behind a stone pillar.
Two men entered.
One was Richard Hawthorne.
The other was the family solicitor, Mr. Graves.
“We should have burned these years ago,” Graves whispered.
Richard’s voice was cold.
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Because Elias’s seal was missing.”
Richard cursed.
“And now?”
“Someone found the chapel.”
Anna covered her mouth.
Richard looked around.
“If that girl discovers what her father knew…”
He stopped.
Graves finished the sentence.
“She will have a claim.”
Richard’s face darkened.
“Then she must not.”
They left.
Anna waited until the footsteps vanished.
Her heart pounded.
She understood now.
Her father’s death had not been an accident.
And the people responsible knew she had found the evidence.
