Chapter 8 The New Teacher

• "Hello, I am Wynette Yancey," she responded politely.
• "I am the butler of the Ziegler Family. I'll take you inside now; our young miss is waiting for you," the butler led the way immediately.
• Wynette paused, bewildered—Ziegler Family?
• Ms. Halt hadn't mentioned this detail, and she hadn't asked for specifics.
• Fortunately, this wasn't Frederick's house, but she knew this was the house of Frederick's grandfather.
• Years ago, she had met Old Mr. Ziegler once before her planned marriage to Frederick. He was a formidable figure who commanded respect without uttering a word.
• She hesitated at the door; the butler looked back at her. "What are you waiting for? Come in."
• Taking a deep breath, Wynette figured since she was already there, she couldn't back out now. Perhaps Old Mr. Ziegler had long forgotten what she looked like.
• She followed the butler into the living room.
• "Wait here, I'll go upstairs and call our young miss," the butler told her.
• She nodded slightly. "Okay."
• The living room was quiet, devoid of other people.
• At the far end, next to a floor-to-ceiling window, stood a white piano, where she would likely be teaching the Zieglers' young miss.
• Drawn to the piano, Wynette couldn't resist sitting down and instinctively began to play a famous piece.
• Hudson returned home to the sound of piano music, which made him ask a nearby servant, "Do we have a new teacher today?"
• "Yes, Mr. Hudson, the new teacher just arrived."
• Listening to the fluid and melodious music, he knew it wasn't Madison playing—this must be the new teacher.
• Madison had already gone through four or five piano teachers, each dismissed by Raelyn for not being able to teach her properly.
• He wondered if this new teacher could stay.
• He walked into the living room, naturally turning his gaze towards the window.
• A woman sat at the piano, absorbed in her music, unaware of his presence.
• The light from outside bathed her in a soft glow, and when he saw her face, his heart skipped a beat.
• It was her!
• Lost in the music she played, Wynette forgot everything around her.
• After finishing the piece, she was still in a daze when she heard a deep, resonant male voice behind her, "Well played."
• Startled, she quickly stood up, only to bump into the man who was now just behind her. She stumbled backward, about to fall, when a strong arm reached out to steady her by the waist.
• His large hand on her waist, even through her clothes, made her feel a heat that sent her heart into disarray.
• She looked up, meeting his inscrutable dark eyes, and for a moment, forgot to move. Why did his eyes look so familiar? Where had I seen them before?
• Hudson looked at the woman who suddenly froze before him. Did she recognize me?
• That night, he had worn a mask that was covered in blood, which must have made her think he was a villain.
• Now, he simply noted how slender her waist was and her subtle fragrance, reminiscent of something from long ago.
• His gaze shifted to the necklace around her neck, the pendant obscured by her clothing. Was it the dark jade ring?
• "Hudson, what are you... doing?" Raelyn and her daughter, coming downstairs, saw this scene, a chill creeping into her gaze.
• She stared coldly at Wynette. Was this new piano teacher trying to seduce my man so soon?
• It seemed she couldn't stay either!
• Wynette, hearing the voice, immediately pushed the man away, quickly saying, "Thank you."
• She was annoyed at herself for zoning out. Was there something enchanting about this man?
• Hudson withdrew his hand, feeling an inexplicable sense of emptiness. "What's your name?" he asked.