The Runaway Groom

Vivian was fuming when she heard Erma's voice. "Did your brain get fried? Why didn't you take good care of Mr. Slate's daughter?!"

Erma was actually feeling wounded as well.

She was doing well until she was suddenly told to babysit! And even if she discounted that fact, the nanny who arrived after she did gave her a thorough dressing down!

The memories certainly did not sit well with Erma, and knowing immediately that Vivian was calling her to snap at her, she said sarcastically, “That's not quite right, Ms. Crowe. What was that you told me? That you'd pay me if I could get myself hired by Mr. Slate... but I still haven't received that money you promised.”

Vivian's face fell. "What are you talking about? Are you demanding pay when you can't even do your job?! Do you think our money grows on trees?!"

Erma did not flinch despite Vivian's outburst—even if she was a maid, she was a seasoned individual who knew how to fuss over the little things.

Puffing up her chest, she snapped back, “I was kicked out almost right after I got in, clearly showing no faith in my work. Do you know that if others knew I was fired by a previous employer, I'd be losing my reputation completely in this business?! Say whatever you want about me, Ms. Crowe, but you can't say that I've been irresponsible. I can only tell you that Mr. Slate is too demanding, and not everyone can meet his demands!"

Erma's righteous retort left Vivian's eyes flashing in anger, and she had to force herself to calm down with deep breaths.

who's the woman Mr. Slate hired?" she

called in the first place, to

want any young woman around Zachary, whether she looked

was young, they might

you're calling!" Erma exclaimed in realization. "Didn't you agree to pay me before, Ms. Crowe?

still talking about money during an

pay you?! You didn't even

mean, I

"Well, it's fine—I still have the recording you told me to get. But if you're finding it difficult to pay me, I'll go to

a barenaked

Erma in a heated argument against