Chapter 4 - The Clean Sweep
By nightfall, the Moretti estate was purged of those who had betrayed it.
Cassandra Vale and Nora Wickham were held in county custody without bail, while Mrs. Hargrove was summarily terminated and blacklisted from working in private estate management across the state.
Vincent stood in the master study, staring out at the rain-drenched gardens. His hands were bandaged from the shattered glass, but his heart felt heavier than his physical wounds.
A soft knock came at the door.
Dominic entered, carrying a legal folder. "Mr. Moretti, the medical team has given Emily Carver a clean bill of health. Her collapse was caused by severe physical exhaustion, low blood sugar, and extreme stress. She hadn't eaten in nearly twenty-four hours."
Vincent turned slowly. "Why hadn't she eaten?"
"Mrs. Hargrove had been withholding her meals and cutting her break times for the past three weeks," Dominic revealed, reading from his report. "Hargrove was skimming from the household staff budget and penalizing staff who didn't comply."
Vincent closed his eyes, a deep sense of guilt washing over him. He had been so consumed by his corporate empire and his grief over his late wife that he had allowed a nest of vipers to run his own home.
"Where is Emily now?" Vincent asked.
"In the service quarters, packing her things," Dominic said. "She assumes that because she was involved in the incident, you will terminate her employment."
Vincent immediately walked out of the study and headed down the service staircase.
In the small, modest room near the rear garden, Emily was folding Lily’s small cardigan into an old canvas suitcase. Lily sat on the edge of the twin bed, holding her stuffed rabbit, her small feet dangling.
When the door opened and Vincent entered, Emily immediately stood up, bowing her head nervously.
"Mr. Moretti," Emily said, her voice shaking. "I am so sorry for the trouble today. I will have our things packed in five minutes. We will leave quietly."
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Vincent stepped into the room, looking at the tiny, cramped space he had assigned to the woman who washed his clothes and cooked his meals.
"You aren't leaving, Emily," Vincent said firmly.
