Chapter 3 - The Housekeeper Uncovers Decades Of Hidden Cruelty Logs
Mrs. Gable, the elderly head housekeeper who had served the Albasini estate for over thirty years, stepped out from the shadows.
In her trembling hands, she clutched a thick leather-bound ledger that she had pulled straight from the bottom of Vanessa’s dressing trunk.
“Mr. Albasini, you need to see what else she kept hidden inside her private chambers upstairs,” Mrs. Gable announced, her voice shaking.
Dante turned his gaze toward the housekeeper, gesturing sharply for her to bring the ledger closer to the foyer light.
Mrs. Gable flipped open the pages, revealing a meticulously itemized schedule of punishments, withheld meals, and forced labor quotas.
“Every single time little Chloe cried for her mother or refused to pack away her dresses, Madam recorded it as a disciplinary infraction,” she reported.
“Read me some of the entries, Mrs. Gable,” Dante commanded, his jaw clenching so hard a muscle twitched in his cheek.
“‘Infraction: Refused to surrender diamond-encrusted music box. Penalty: Three hours kneeling in the pantry, forfeiture of evening supper,’” Mrs. Gable read.
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Gasps echoed through the foyer as the remaining estate staff stared at Vanessa with undisguised contempt and absolute fury.
Vanessa backed away toward the open front doors, her face draining of all color as she realized her systematic cruelty was fully exposed.
