Vincent knelt so his eyes were level with Emma’s. “How did you get the vial, sweetheart?”
Emma explained in her small, steady voice. While dusting the baseboards near Vanessa’s room, she had seen Vanessa hide the vial in her makeup bag. When Vanessa went into the bathroom, Emma took it — because she had noticed the strange shadow on the cap. She had also overheard Julian telling Vanessa to put it in the butter, because Vincent always ate his bread first. And Vanessa had agreed.
Maria Carter, Emma’s mother, fell to her knees apologizing. Vincent stopped her.
“Your daughter saved my life today,” he said. “Never apologize for courage.”
He turned to Marco, his head of security. “Take them both to the holding facility at the docks. Strip Vanessa of the engagement ring and every account. Strip Julian of his rank. Tonight, they answer to the council.”
THE REWARD OF LOYALTY
That evening the house was quiet. Vincent sat alone with a glass of scotch, Vanessa’s ring lying on the table in front of him. Maria knocked softly and asked when she and Emma should pack their things — they had seen too much, she said.
Vincent looked at her for a long moment. “My brother and my fiancée betrayed me today,” he said. “You two were the only loyal people in this house.”
He made his decision on the spot: Maria’s salary tripled, effective immediately. She would become head housekeeper of the residence. And Emma would study with the estate’s private tutors.
THE WEST SIDE GATHERS
Two weeks passed. Julian and Vanessa were stripped of everything and exiled from the city under the watch of loyal men. Emma was thriving in her lessons.