Cole watched as Victoria retreated inside the mansion. He still wanted to speak to her, but Cole knew he wouldn’t get anywhere with Victoria tonight.

While Cole was glad this maid gave Victoria reason to speak to him again, he was not happy with how Victoria felt.

No one was to be blackmailed inside his home.

Cole returned inside after giving Victoria time to hide away in her bedchamber. He went to the head maid to find the maid named Faye.

Soon, Faye was directed to the gardens to meet with Cole.

Faye’s smile fell when she noticed a carriage was waiting for her. She looked around for Victoria, but when the carriage door opened, it was only Cole seated inside.

"Get inside before anyone sees you," Cole ordered Faye. "Your bags are already packed for you to leave."

"I am to be paid," said Faye.

"I was told what your agreement was, and I have the money here," Cole said, lifting a bag. "I must see that you leave the mansion and not linger around to create trouble. I will take you where you can get a ride to your home by cart."

Faye reluctantly walked towards the carriage.

Since the mansion was always busy with servants hustling all around, she was confident that someone would see her getting into the carriage.

Faye looked at the coachman who held the door open for her. She knew him well. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Faye entered the carriage and sat down where her bags were placed. "I didn’t mean for it to come to this, but Miss Victoria pushed me to it with how she treated the maids."

"It doesn’t surprise me that someone like you would take this as your moment to escape work. You don’t have to explain yourself," said Cole.

Faye disliked how Victoria and Cole tried to judge her. "You aren’t in any position to judge me. I am not the one who betrayed his sick wife and started an affair with her childhood friend."

"If not for your sinful actions, I wouldn’t have the chance to get money out of you. You only have yourself to blame," Faye said, turning the heat back onto Cole.

The carriage started to move, taking Faye out of the mansion gates.

"You are right. I was the one in the wrong, and you profited from it. If you were wise, you would have gone right to my wife. Perhaps, to her father. I suppose that is what you intend to do once the money has run out," Cole assumed.

"I know not to get too greedy and return to ask for more. Though I should make your lives hell for what you did to such an innocent and kind woman, I will take the money and never show my face to you or Victoria," Faye promised.

Cole smiled since, in the moment, Faye seemed to believe what she said.

Eventually, Faye was going to run out of money and yearn for more. Who better to turn to than the couple whose secret was in her hands?

Faye stared at Cole, trying to make sense of why he decided to have an affair. "Mrs Presley is a lovely woman. She chose you instead of the men worthy of her status. The duke rewarded you with a home, yet you would turn your attention elsewhere."

From what Faye saw, Rosalie lived for Cole. She loved her husband dearly, and her friend.

"I am not here to be lectured by you. You also don’t have any morals since you didn’t go to my wife. Now," Cole said, revealing a gun. "We shall end this matter tonight."

Faye froze, startled by the gun. She looked at Cole with wide eyes.

The sight before her was one she never expected to see.

The usual calm and kind Mr Presley now bore a look void of any emotion. He sat with an expression that screamed he would not hesitate to kill her.

"Lord Presley," Faye cried, realising he planned to kill her.

"We are past the point of tears. You should have seen what you did, and keep your head down like many others. You were so foolish to get into my carriage. Why should I trust you to keep your mouth shut when I can just kill you?" Cole asked, pointing the gun at Faye.

"Others saw me get into your carriage. The coachman-"

"Works for me. I already informed the headmaid that I would be giving a ride a little way to your home. The mere fact that you found danger on your way home was out of my control," Cole said, feigning hurt.

"Everyone isn’t going to stay silent. The duke has his servants in your mansion. Suspicion will arise, and you will be exposed. Let me leave quietly," Faye said, desperate to convince Cole to free her.

Cole’s laughter filled the carriage. "No man allows another man to take control of his home. The coachman is employed by me, and I am certain no one will suspect me. You won’t be missed, and by morning, you will be replaced."

Cole hit the side of the carriage to stop it.

When the carriage stopped, the coachman came around to open the door.

"Get out," Cole ordered Faye.

"Please don’t," Faye cried. She no longer wanted the money.

"I would prefer not to stain my wife’s carriage with blood, but I will shoot you here if I must. Move," Cole ordered Faye once again.

Faye gripped the seat. She was too afraid to move, even with the gun pointing at her. She didn’t want to die. Faye only wanted the money to help her family.

"I am never going to return if you let me leave. You can keep the money. Just let me take my bags and go. Please," Faye pleaded, reaching for her bags.

"I don’t have time for this," Cole said, annoyed.

Before Faye could plead again, Cole fired the first shot, aiming between Faye’s eyes.

Blood splattered over the carriage seat and walls as Faye’s body fell to the right, creating more of a mess.

Cole sighed, annoyed he wouldn’t be able to use the carriage in the morning. He stepped out of the carriage. "Take a few of her belongings to make it look like a robbery, and tear her dress. Do what you must to make it look like she was assaulted."

"Yes, Mr Presley."

Cole stepped away from the carriage, taking a moment to clear his mind and think of what he would do next. He needed to keep a better eye on the maids so his life wouldn’t be ruined.

Cole tilted his head back and muttered a few indecent words.

Like Faye, he too had become greedy since he wanted both women.