Chapter 3 - Standing in the Crossfire
Before the head housekeeper could reach Maddie, the side door opened, and Elliot stepped into the main hall in his full disguise, his muddy boots leaving light tracks on the polished marble.
"What is this trash doing inside my house?!" Victoria shrieked, backing away in disgust. "Guards! Call security!"
"Wait," Elliot rasped, pitching his voice low to sound like an elderly, tired wanderer. "You are looking for a silver pin with a white stone?"
Brianna froze, staring at him. "How do you know about the brooch?"
Elliot pulled the pearl brooch from his coat pocket and held it out on a worn cloth. "It was lying in the mud beside the garden steps. You dropped it when you were yelling at the flower delivery this morning."
The room went dead silent. The staff exchanged quiet glances.
Brianna's face flushed a deep, embarrassed red. She snatched the brooch from his hand, refusing to look him in the eye. "It... it must have fallen off my dress."
"You accused Maddie without even checking your own path," Aunt Eleanor’s voice echoed as she pushed her wheelchair into the hall. "A terrible habit, Brianna. Blaming those who serve you for your own carelessness."
Victoria cleared her throat nervously, eager to save face. "Well... at least it's found. Maddie, go back to your duties. And get this man out of our house immediately!"
Maddie stepped toward Elliot, placing a gentle hand on his arm to guide him outside safely before security could handle him roughly.
Once they reached the covered garden walkway, Maddie exhaled a long breath, her hands trembling slightly.
"Thank you," she whispered, looking up at the bearded stranger. "You saved me from a terrible accusation."
"They don't appreciate you here," Elliot said softly, his real voice almost slipping through the gravelly disguise.
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"It's just a job," Maddie gave a sad, small smile. "I need the money to pay for my grandmother's medical care. So I endure it."
Elliot looked deeply into her clear blue eyes. She endures cruelty to protect her family, while Brianna abuses power she never earned.
