Chapter 8 - Shadows of the Past
The morning sunlight streamed through the arched glass windows of the solarium, casting warm golden patterns across the marble floor.
Thomas, the senior butler, discreetly wheeled in a silver serving cart laden with fresh pastries, sliced tropical fruit, and steaming pots of fragrant tea.
"Please, sit down, my dear," Eleanor said, gesturing to the velvet armchair directly across from her. "You must be exhausted after everything that happened."
Olivia settled carefully into the chair, mindful of her cast.
"I'm doing much better, thank you, Mrs. Eleanor," Olivia replied politely. "How are you feeling after your fall?"
Eleanor let out a soft, tired sigh, taking a sip of her tea before answering.
"Physically, I am recovering. Dr. Harrison says I escaped with nothing worse than a few bruises and a tremendous shock," Eleanor said, her gaze drifting toward the open garden doors. "Emotionally... that is a different story entirely."
"It's normal to feel shaken up after something like that," Olivia said gently.
"It isn't just the fall, Olivia," Eleanor continued, her voice hardening slightly with bitter disappointment. "It's the realization of who lived under my roof for three years. I welcomed Chloe into this family. I treated her like a daughter. I gave her everything she asked for."
Daniel stepped forward, resting a hand on the back of his mother's chair.
"Mom, you didn't know," Daniel said quietly. "None of us knew how far her greed went."
"I should have seen the signs," Eleanor shook her head, a tear slipping down her deeply lined cheek. "She resented my presence in this house. She wanted total control of the estate, and she knew that as long as I was alive, my will protected Daniel's inheritance."
Olivia listened in silence.
She had always sensed a coldness in Chloe during her shifts at the penthouse, but she had never imagined it hid such malicious intent.
"The police detective called me an hour ago," Daniel said, looking between his mother and Olivia. "Chloe's legal team is trying to claim the push was an accidental slip during an argument."
Eleanor’s head snapped up, her eyes flashing with sudden anger.
"An accident? After she shoved me toward the railing with both hands?"
"The security footage makes their argument impossible to maintain," Daniel reassured her firmly. "The angle from the dome camera clearly captures her intent. She pushed you backward, and then she tried to crush Olivia's arm to make her drop you. The prosecutor is moving forward with attempted murder charges, as well as aggravated assault."
"Good," Eleanor said coldly. "Let her face what she deserves."
Olivia looked down at her coffee cup, feeling a strange mixture of relief and sorrow.
A family had been shattered, yet a life had been saved.
"What happens to the estate now, Daniel?" Olivia asked softly.
May you like
Daniel turned his gaze toward her, his dark eyes steady and intense.
"The estate remains ours," he said. "And my mother and I are going to make some very necessary changes. Starting with how we treat the people who work for us."
