Billionaire Defiant Wife

Chapter‌ ‌181:‌ ‌Provocation‌ ‌

Avery sizes the maid up. Though the maid's legs are a little shorter and her waist a little thicker, she's about the same size as Ruby. "Can you change into some of these clothes right now?" Avery asks.

"Do you mean me?" the maid asks in disbelief.

"Yeah, what's your name?" Avery asks. "You seem like a nice girl. If I ask Andrew to assign you to be my personal maid, will you do that?"

The maid nods without hesitation before remembering to answer the question. She smiles brightly, "My name is Alice Channing, by the way."

When Alice emerges from the living room wearing her new clothes, Andrew's mistresses stop and stare at her. Ruby circles her slowly, taking in the luxury watch and designer clothes. The emerald studs in Alice's ears are almost as large as a cat's eye. Ruby sniffs disdainfully, "Someone still smells poor even if she's changed into fancy clothes."

"It's better than smelling desperate," Avery says.

"So what?" Ruby asks with a shrug. "At least I'm not the type of woman who goes around two-timing her man."

"Careful, Ruby," Avery says, "You're starting to sound jealous, too."

"What are you talking about?" Andrew asks, descending the stairs.

He's changed into casual clothes, and his hair is slightly tousled. He smiles at the women and radiates rakish confidence. The women immediately straighten up, tossing their hair and thrusting their chests forward. Avery rolls her eyes at the lack of subtlety.

"We're talking about the outfit Alice is wearing," Avery says. "Do you like it?"

"Mr. Clifford, we're discussing the fact that this maid got changed during working hours," Ruby says. She sniffs and shoots a wicked glare at Avery. "I was just saying that I think it's quite unprofessional. I don't care that Avery asked her to do it—the maid is your employee, and she needs to respect the rules of your house."

Andrew slips a hand into his pocket and continues descending the stairs. He doesn't seem to have heard a word, Ruby just said. He barely looks at the women as he walks up to Avery. "You said earlier that you wanted to see the grounds and garden," he says. "If you want, I can show you around now."

Avery lifts her chin and shoots a defiant look at Ruby. "Can I take Alice with me?" she asks.

Andrew smiles and bends down to whisper in Avery's ear, "Whatever you want, beautiful."

Avery pats Alice on the shoulder. Avery has heard that punishments in Andrew's household are often severe—servants are regularly fired for breaking even the smallest rules. What's more, Andrew has a nasty temper, and more than one servant has left the house covered in vicious bruises.

"Wait, Mr. Clifford!" Ruby calls out, but her screams go unheard by the duo—they're already halfway to the garden.

Though Avery wants to hate everything about the mansion, she has to admit that the ground is stunning. A vast green lawn spreads out behind the house, and a mighty oak tree shades the Eastern wing of the mansion. A rustic rope swing hangs from a tree branch and sways slightly in the breeze. In the distance near the forest, an artificial lake shines blue in the rare sunshine.

Birds chirp peacefully, but Avery soon hears a different type of squawking. Ruby and the women have rushed to one of the mansion's many balconies, and they're jostling each other for a position at the railing. They push each other and complain.

Avery ignores them and allows Andrew to lead her across the lawn. They stroll in silence, and she tries to enjoy the earthy smell of freshly cut grass. But the breeze carries the women's high-pitched voices, and she can't help but hear their whining.