Chapter 2 - The Framing
Maria stumbled backward against the wooden wardrobe, her eyes wide with unadulterated terror as the entire household converged on her room.
She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out past the lump of sheer panic in her throat.
“I found him right here,” Celeste announced, her voice cutting through the murmurs of the security guards like a diamond blade.
“He was crawling out from beneath her bed, pale, dehydrated, and terrified out of his mind.”
Damian stared from his son to the cowering maid, the veins in his temples throbbing with a dark, dangerous fury.
“Maria, is this true?” Damian demanded, stepping forward until his towering frame cast a heavy shadow over the trembling woman.
“No, Mr. Ashford! I swear on my life I didn't know he was down there!” Maria sobbed, sinking to her knees on the braided rug.
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“Silence!” Celeste snapped, stepping between them with an air of cold, calculated authority.
“The physical evidence speaks for itself, Damian. The hatch was inside her quarters, and she had access to the master key.”
