She cut out a few black and white shirts, and soon enough, she had managed to stitch together an outfit that closely resembled the uniform of the Baldwin family's employees. After she changed into the clothes, she sat in front of the makeup table and put on makeup that made her look older, then tied her hair in a low ponytail.
"Not too shabby, Joanna!" Joanna couldn't help but grin with delight when she realized she resembled the Baldwin family's workers.
It was late at night.
A few servants had gathered in the Baldwin residence's East garden to exchange gossip.
"I heard that the girlfriend that Master Baldwin brought him is the future mistress of the house. Old Master Baldwin adores her a lot."
"But I heard that her previous husband divorced her because she couldn't give him children. Does this mean that our handsome and gentle Master Baldwin is going to marry a divorcee?"
"Exactly! I think there's something wrong with them – they're treating her like she's a treasure!"
Joanna hid behind the pavilion and was furious when she heard this. "That's right. The Baldwin family is so prominent, and Master Baldwin is so outstanding, so how could he so blind to marry a divorcee?"
"Who's there?" The servants were caught off guard and huddled close together.
Joanna walked out slowly, looked at the young servants with a sarcastic smile and said, "I think Master Baldwin should marry one of you instead. Look at you! Each of you is so pretty and young. How precious!"
'Who are you and why were you eavesdropping on us?" The servants looked at Joanna warily.
"I'm a new servant, so please guide me in the future." Joanna bowed her head humbly.
"Oh, she's new!" Their attitudes changed immediately, and they became arrogant. 'The Baldwin family is usually picky about who they hire as servants because they must be beautiful and educated. You look old and ugly, with no education. You're ruining our image! What are you in charge of?"
"I'm not too sure either…" Joanna acted dumb and scratched her hard as she pretended to think. "I'm supposed to guard a woman. I think she disrespected the Baldwin family and was locked in the confession room. I can't find the room though, can any of you take me there?"
"Oh, no wonder!" The servants nodded in understanding.
Joanna's lies were so perfect that none of them suspected her at all.
"Come with me. I'll take you there." The leader of the servants lifted her chin and said to Joanna.
Joanna trailed behind her, surprised that the whole thing had gone so well.
However, not long after, the leader came to a halt and scowled as she observed Joanna. "I just realized something… Your uniform doesn't match ours!"
Joanna felt her pulse quicken but she kept calm and said, "Really? I don't see the difference. It's the same style but different material."
"Same style but different material…" The servant touched Joanna's clothes and scoffed, "This is actual silk. There's no way such a luxurious material would be used to make a servant's uniform!"
'What incredible eyesight! It's no surprise that even a servant of the Baldwin family is so clever,' Joanna thought, thoroughly impressed.
However, she didn't panic. She remained composed and said confidently," Maybe it's an upgrade. The Baldwin family is a powerful family with a high social status, so it's not surprising that they want their servants to have good clothes. Are you trying to question the Baldwin family's decision?"
"No. That's not what I mean!" The servant immediately explained, 'The Baldwin family is the most powerful family in the world and I am loyal to them. I'm simply cautious when it comes to certain things."
"Should we see Madam Sophia to confirm whether she could afford it or not?"
"No, there's no need for that!" The servant didn't dare to bother Sophia for such a small matter. She waved her hand and urged, "Stop wasting time. Let's go!"
The two walked in the dark for a long time until they arrived at a courtyard on the outskirts. There was a hut somewhere behind the forest. On the door of the hut hung a board that said 'Confession room'.
'This is it. Guard this place with your life. No matter what she says or does, don't open the door. Don't give her anything too. Just wait until the superior gives further orders," the servant told her solemnly.
"She's in here?" Joanna glanced at the simple hut dubiously. She didn't think that the confession room would be a small room with nothing inside. It looked like something from ancient times.
"What were you expecting?" The servant scoffed, then continued proudly," Old Master Moran said that the highest level of punishment isn't physical, but mental. By putting her here, she'll lose her freedom and connection to the world. Eventually, she'll forget time and yearn for death."
"It makes sense, but there's something I don't understand. How will she lose connection with the world and forget time?"
'The hut may appear to be run-down from the outside, but the walls are soundproof. Apart from air, she'll only be surrounded by white walls. The most terrifying aspect is that sound cannot be transmitted inside," the servant explained.
'Normal people would feel like an eternity had passed if they were locked in there for even half an hour. They'll definitely lose their minds if they're locked inside for more than three days!"
When Joanna heard this, she couldn't help but shudder. 'That's terrifying!"
She imagined the despairing feeling of being locked up in a room with four walls, unable to hear a single sound.
'With Susan being so impatient and short-tempered, she'd definitely lose her mind in three hours,' Joanna thought to herself. She had to save Susan as soon as possible!
"You'd best believe it, so don't you dare betray the Baldwin family. If you do, the next person to be locked up inside will be you," the servant warned her.
"Don't worry, I'm loyal to the Baldwin family. I would never betray them,' Joanna lied and urged the servant to leave.