Chapter 4 - The Framed and the Faithful“When the diamonds fell from her pocket, the billionaire made a choice that shocked the whole house…”My blood ran cold. "You wouldn't."
"Try me," Victoria purred. "A single phone call to the police, and a theft charge on your record, and you’ll never work again. You’ll be in a cell by morning."
She turned and began walking back toward the grand foyer, preparing to raise the alarm.
If I was arrested, I wouldn't just lose this job—I would lose Daisy. The hospital would cancel her surgery. She would die.
"Stop!" I called out, my voice cracking with absolute desperation. "Please. Don't do this. My daughter..."
Victoria paused, turning her head with a cruel grin. "Your daughter isn't my problem, darling. Packing your bags is."
"Wait!"
A voice cut through the dark hallway.
Ethan stood at the top of the grand staircase, wrapped in a black silk robe. He descended the stairs slowly, each step heavy with cold fury.
Victoria’s facial expression transformed instantly from venomous snake to delicate victim. She rushed toward Ethan, tears springing to her eyes with terrifying speed.
"Oh, Ethan! Thank God you're awake!" Victoria gasped, clutching his arm. "I caught her! I caught Naomi in Sarah’s dressing room! She was trying to take Sarah’s diamond necklace!"
Ethan looked down at Victoria's hand on his arm, then looked across the hall at me. I stood frozen, holding the velvet box, my face pale.
"Is this true, Naomi?" Ethan asked, his voice disturbingly flat.
"No, sir," I said, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. "Miss Vance brought the box to my room. She threatened to call the police if I didn't leave."
"She’s lying, Ethan!" Victoria cried. "Why would I frame a common nanny? Look at her! She’s desperate! Check her phone, check her background—she’s drowning in debt!"
Ethan stepped away from Victoria and walked directly over to me. He took the velvet box from my hands and opened it. The diamond necklace sparkled under the chandelier light.
He looked at me, his gray eyes searching deep into my soul.
"You told me earlier you don't lie about work," Ethan said softly. "Are you lying to me now?"
"On my daughter's life, Mr. Carter," I whispered, tears finally escaping my eyes. "I did not touch that safe."
"She's playing you, Ethan! Call the security team!" Victoria demanded, stepping up beside him.
Ethan closed the box with a sharp snap.
"I don't need the security team, Victoria," Ethan said coldly. "Because I reviewed the hall camera feeds three minutes ago when I heard walking outside my office."
Victoria froze. The color drained from her face faster than water through a sieve.
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"What?" Victoria stammered.
"The camera outside Sarah's dressing room showed you entering alone at 11:45 PM and leaving with that box," Ethan said, his voice dropping like an anvil. "And the camera outside Naomi's room showed you walking in with it."
