Chapter 19 - Damian's Suspicion Deepens
Later that evening, Damian noticed that Martha was nowhere to be found during dinner service.
“Where is Martha?” Damian asked the butler, cutting into his steak with a frown.
“She left abruptly this afternoon, sir,” the butler replied smoothly, reading from a prepared script Celeste had handed him earlier.
“She submitted her resignation citing family health emergencies.”
Damian looked across the candlelit table at Celeste, who was sipping her red wine with absolute, unbothered grace.
“She’s worked here for twenty-two years, Celeste,” Damian said suspiciously. “She wouldn't just walk out without saying goodbye to me or Holland.”
“People get old, Damian, and loyalty doesn't always run as deep as you think,” Celeste replied coolly, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin.
Damian looked down at Holland, who sat staring blankly at his plate, refusing to touch his food, his eyes dead and hollow.
“Holland, did Martha say anything to you before she left?” Damian asked gently.
May you like
Holland looked up, meeting his father’s eyes for a brief second before glancing sideways at Celeste, who sat motionless with her wine glass hovering inches from her mouth.
“No, Daddy,” Holland lied, his voice barely a whisper. “She just went away.”
