Chapter 2 Caught Red-Handed

Apparently, her explanation did not gain the intruder's approval, as she heard the sound of photos being deleted from her phone. Immediately following, she felt a pair of strong hands rapidly searching her. Maya Spencer took a deep breath and continued to explain: "I didn't take anything." Maya's explanation was completely disbelieved by the other party, so he did not let go of her. Maya felt extremely humiliated and said coldly: "Who are you? I'm the fifth daughter of the Spencer Family, don't think just because I can't see you, I can't find out who you are." Maya judged that the other party was a man, yet at the time, aside from her second uncle and grandfather, the Spencer estate only had male servants. Judging by the man's agility, he couldn't be over forty years old, ruling out both her second uncle and grandfather, who wouldn't treat her like this. Although she wasn't favored by the Spencer Family, she couldn't tolerate being bullied by a servant like this, yet the intruder entirely ignored her threats. Only after confirming that Maya hadn't hidden anything did the man finally release her hands. Once free, Maya fiercely bit down on the man's arm, her swift reaction caught him off guard, and he abruptly pushed her away. Maya fell against the desk, knocking over the penholder with a loud "bang, bang, bang." The sound startled her, and she quickly let go of the man's hand. By the time she removed the strip covering her eyes, the man had disappeared without a trace, and clutching her phone, she fled in a panic. The next morning, when Maya awoke from the nightmare, she couldn't shake off the memory of last night's ambush. So, as she left her bedroom, her gaze scrutinized every man closely, trying to identify the one who had attacked her last night. Though it was summer, many servants in the house wore thin long sleeves, making it impossible for Maya to examine each of their arms. Given her status in the Spencer Family, launching a thorough search wasn't feasible. At the dining table, Maya let out a long breath, unwilling to accept her bullying from last night yet unable to find a legitimate excuse to search everyone, she could only sulkily eat breakfast. "Maya, where did you go last night?" Hannah's voice rang out, causing Maya's heart to skip a beat, wondering if Aunt Hannah's people had caught her movements from last night. Based on Aunt Hannah's personality, she wouldn't tolerate her sleeping out! So, she raised her head, glanced at Hannah, lazily saying, "Sleeping!" Hannah and Elia Spencer, the mother and daughter, most despised Maya's lazy demeanor, obviously an illegitimate daughter, yet she posed with an air of superiority, truly acting as if she were a lady. Therefore, Hannah sneered and said, "Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, mice burrow holes. Maya, didn't expect you not only inherited your mother's skill of sneaking around but also learned to steal things." Listening to this, Maya's ears became calloused from the repeated insults, refusing to argue back, she simply picked up the half-glass of milk in front of her, drank it all, put down the glass, and calmly said. "I didn't steal anything, I went to school." "Hold her back, this little brat, if not disciplined for three days, will raise the roof. The old man just left last night, yet she's eager to steal something. If I don't discipline this brat today on his behalf, do you think the Spencer Family's rules are just for show? Sister Parker, bring me the whip." "Mom, hurry! I want to wear that necklace today, quickly make the little brat hand it over." Elia Spencer, seeing the drama unfold, added fuel to the fire with a mischievous look, unconcerned with the trouble. "I didn't steal her necklace." Maya, being held back, was furious, glaring directly at Hannah. "Still lying, the maid heard noise upstairs last night, saw you running down from the second floor in a panic. Maya, your mouth is becoming increasingly dishonest." Hannah gritted her teeth with hatred toward Maya, though it's more accurate to say she vented her anger at those she couldn't on Maya. After scolding Maya, she ordered, "Maid, search this little brat's backpack." Bang! When the backpack's contents were spilled onto the floor, it made a chaotic sound that thrilled both the instigators and onlookers, especially since it included the missing crystal necklace of Elia. Maya knew she had been framed, the necklace had undoubtedly been planted in her bag beforehand. Ha! Her dad just left, and Aunt Hannah couldn't wait to vent her anger on her. Yet, Maya's movements in the study last night were indeed too loud, leaving her without an excuse. "Maya, caught red-handed, what else do you have to say? Kneel down." If you want to punish someone, there's always an excuse, especially when you're outnumbered. The more you argue, the worse it gets; today it seems there's no escaping a beating. "Keep your hands clean." "Don't steal things." In the vast living room, Maya stood with her back straight, holding her breath as Hannah whipped her with full force. It hurt terribly, but she made no sound of pain, already accustomed to the disgrace of being watched. In her year at the Spencer Family, being hit by Aunt Hannah was so common she couldn't count on her fingers anymore. "Aunt Hannah, my dad just left last night, and here you are first thing in the morning practicing on Maya, quite diligent!" Hearing the familiar voice, Maya raised her head, seeing Sister Jane Spencer walking down from the second floor. It seemed there might be a glimmer of hope for rescue. But who was the man following her? He looked quite similar to Sister Jane Spencer. Could he be the rumored third young master, Jane's biological brother? Searᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In her year at the Spencer Family, she had never met the legendary third young master, Liam Spencer. She had heard from the servants not only was he exceptionally handsome, but his emotional intelligence and IQ were also off the charts. Although she couldn't confirm if the stranger was indeed the third young master, he was undeniably attractive, so much so that she couldn't look away, even forgetting her sore bottom from being whipped. Children of a legitimate wife are indeed a thousand times, ten thousand times more attractive than those born to a mistress, was Maya's first impression of Liam Spencer. Her second impression was that he was unattainable. Even if he was a brother, he was out of reach. His gaze didn't even fall on her, the jester, as if he were the sole person in this world. "This little brat, caught stealing red-handed, I'm disciplining her on behalf of your father." Sister Jane Spencer's arrival prompted Hannah to stop the whipping.