Chapter 2 - The Butler's Betrayal
Arthur wrapped the thick, plush white bath towel around six-year-old Chloe, his hands trembling with quiet rage.
In the fading golden hour light of the patio, the little girl shivered violently, her tear-stained face pressed against his charcoal suit jacket.
"It's over now, Miss Chloe," Arthur whispered softly, shielding her shivering body from the cold evening breeze.
He lifted her gently from the wet stone poolside floor, making sure her pink sundress didn't touch the shattered glass of warm milk.
Up on the grand balcony, Richard and Victoria clinked their champagne glasses, completely ignoring the child's distressed coughing.
Arthur pulled out his black smartphone, tapping a secure satellite connection that bypassed the mansion's internal server entirely.
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"Ma'am, I have captured high-definition video of the entire assault," Arthur reported into the receiver in a solemn, steady tone.
From the phone's speaker, Catherine Sterling's cold, dangerous voice echoed back: "Prepare the vehicle, Arthur. I am landing at LAX in twenty minutes."
