Chapter 2 - The Lost Heirlooms
By afternoon, the atmosphere inside the mansion grew increasingly chaotic. Brianna’s mother, Victoria Whitmore, arrived from the city, demanding a full inspection of the estate before the arrival of the Carter family representatives.
Elliot, remaining in his disguise near the servants' entryway, observed the family dynamic from the fringes.
"Where is the antique pearl brooch?" Victoria demanded, her shrill voice echoing down the grand hallway. "The one your father gave you for the engagement photoshoot?"
Brianna rushed into the foyer, visibly panicking. "I left it on the dressing table this morning! It was right beside my jewelry box!"
Within minutes, Victoria summoned the entire domestic staff into the main hall. Line by line, six housekeepers, two chefs, and Maddie stood under the harsh glare of the chandeliers while Victoria and Brianna paced before them.
"Someone in this room took it," Victoria declared, her hands resting on her hips. "If the brooch isn't returned within five minutes, I am calling the police and having every single one of your quarters searched!"
"Mother, look at them," Brianna sneered, her eyes locking onto Maddie. "Maddie was in my dressing room early this morning bringing up the morning tea. And she was spending time with that homeless beggar yesterday. Who knows what kind of people she's involved with?"
Maddie lifted her eyes, shocked. "Miss Whitmore, I would never take anything from this house. I brought the tea, left it on the side table, and left immediately."
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"Search her apron," Victoria ordered the head housekeeper.
Elliot stepped closer to the side door, his hands clenching into fists beneath his ragged sleeves. He knew Maddie was innocent. More importantly, he knew where the brooch actually was—he had seen Brianna carelessly drop it near the garden patio path earlier that morning while screaming at the florist.
