Chapter 543

Joanna's words hung in the air, leaving Preston momentarily stunned.

He frowned, looking at her. "What did you say?"

Susan also turned her gaze, her eyes filled with confusion.

Regarding the car accident that saved Preston years ago, Susan had merely been passing by. She saw Preston lying beside the burning car, with bystanders murmuring about a young girl who had risked her life to drag him out.

Susan had long had her eye on Preston, the wealthy heir, but lacked an opportunity to get close. In that moment, she instantly recognized it as a heaven-sent chance.

She rushed over and stayed by Preston's side. After he woke up, she probed with a few questions. Discovering he had no memory of his rescuer's appearance, she conveniently claimed the credit for the lifesaving act.

Now, what did Joanna mean by her words?

Joanna looked at Preston, a cold sneer forming on her lips as she prepared to speak. However, the commotion had already drawn the attention of others in the room.

People began filing out.

Ethan was the first to speak. "What now?"

The single word "now" was laden with thick impatience.

Preston looked embarrassed, while Susan's eyes reddened with grievance. "Your maid hit me."

"Impossible," Ethan stated firmly. "Our maids are always professional. They never act out without reason. You must have done something excessive, right?"

Susan was utterly taken aback by his response, freezing on the spot.

She stared at him in disbelief.

Ethan shot a resentful look at Preston. "Fifth Brother, control your person. How much drama has there been since she entered this house? If you can't manage her, then move out with her. When we brothers fought as kids, Mom and Dad never took sides; they punished us equally. What's with this endless stream of incidents now?"

Preston hung his head under the reprimand, his jaw tightening as he looked at Susan.

For the first time, he felt a wave of exhaustion.

Having been with Susan for so long, he had long noticed her materialistic tendencies, her constant demands for him to buy this and that. But to him, these things were trivial, so he indulged her.

Aside from that, Susan had always been gentle, considerate, and understanding around him. How had she suddenly become like this?

He felt somewhat lost.

Just then, Susan suddenly rolled up her sleeve, revealing an ugly burn scar hidden beneath the long fabric.

It was the same scar he had seen after waking up in the hospital. Susan had said she got it saving him, that it was nothing.

Later, he bought her numerous scar removal creams, but none had been very effective.

The doubts that had just begun to rise in Preston instantly vanished.

If she had been willing to risk her life for him, what did a few flaws matter?

His expression immediately softened. "Third Brother, Susan saved my life. I won't allow you to speak to her like that. Moreover, you said it yourself: when brothers fight, both sides are punished. Shouldn't the same fairness apply between Susan and the maid?"

Ethan frowned. "What do you want to do?"

Preston thought for a moment. "Here's what: I'll have Susan apologize to her, but she must compensate Susan for the dress."

Joanna was shocked.

That dress cost a hundred and thirty thousand, not thirteen hundred!

The words burst out of her. "No!"

"If you refuse, then get out."

Preston rubbed his temples, a headache forming as he coldly reprimanded her.

Joanna's eyes reddened.

Her monthly salary as a maid in this household was thirty thousand. She couldn't find a job like this elsewhere.

She couldn't lose this job!

Joanna bit her lip hard. Just moments ago, her dignity had felt important. Now, it felt shattered on the floor.

She looked at Preston. "Forget Miss Susan's apology. Can I apologize instead? Please don't make me pay!"

Preston nodded, about to agree.

But Susan spoke first. "No. I insist you pay for my dress. Preston really liked this dress. I want this one!"

Susan saw Joanna's distress and was determined to teach her a lesson. An apology? Anyone could do that.

Joanna clenched her fists.

Susan looked at Joanna, her tone light and airy. "I'm sorry. It was my fault for not watching where I was walking and bumping into you."

Joanna's knuckles turned white. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come.

She looked to the butler for help.

The butler shook his head at her.

Joanna's eyes were red-rimmed. She lowered her head, took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll pay!"

One dress, a hundred and thirty thousand. Five months of her salary.

But if she lost this job, she truly wouldn't find another with an annual salary of three hundred thousand...

After saying this, she crouched down, gathered the scattered fruits back into the tray, and carried it away. She soon returned with a cloth, meticulously wiping the floor clean.

Her movements were fluid and practiced.

Watching her, both Ethan and Preston felt a pang of discomfort.

Their family had never been one to mistreat the staff.

Susan, however, felt a sense of vindication. Excitedly, she linked her arm with Preston's. "Preston, let's go. Let's continue playing."

But the group's mood had soured.

They each found excuses and dispersed.

Preston drove Susan home. Arriving downstairs, he looked at her. "Susan, I think from now on, you should..."

"Preston, I know," Susan interrupted him, her gaze sincere. "I'll love you even more. For you, I can give up anything! No matter what happens in the future, I'll always step in front of you. I'll never let you get hurt!"

The words of admonishment on Preston's tongue stuck in his throat.

After a long moment, he smiled. "Alright, Susan. Thank you for saving my life."

On the drive back home, Preston stared ahead, suddenly recalling Evelyn's words and Susan's recent strange behavior.

He sighed.

Was this choice really right? Regardless of whether his sister's words were true or not, he was indeed starting to consider breaking up.

But then he thought of that lifesaving debt...

The car pulled into the Ashcroft estate. Preston parked and headed upstairs.

Just as he was about to enter his bedroom, he heard soft sobbing from nearby.

He turned and saw Joanna diligently wiping the bay window with a cloth.

She worked carefully, but her eyes were red, and she sniffled occasionally, looking utterly pitiful.

The more Joanna thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Fuming, she muttered under her breath, "If I'd known it would be like this, I wouldn't have saved him at the accident scene back then! Let him bully people!"