Chapter 6 - The Uninvited Guest
Three days before the autumn gala, the quiet of the estate was breached.
It happened at two o'clock in the afternoon. Dominic was away in downtown Chicago, attending a mandatory pre-gala meeting with the Irish boss, Liam O'Rourke, at a secure hotel. Vincent had remained at the estate, managing the security detail of forty armed men stationed across the eleven-acre property.
Charlene was sitting in the library of the master suite, reading a book on pediatric care, when she heard the faint sound of arguing echoing from the second-floor landing downstairs.
She set her book down, her heart instantly quickening its rhythm. She stood up, wrapping a long cashmere cardigan around her pregnant frame, and walked softly to the double doors of the suite.
"I don't care what Mr. Hamilton ordered!" a sharp, shrill voice echoed up the grand staircase. "I left my diamond bracelet in the West Dining Room last week, and I am going to retrieve it right now!"
Bethany Garcia.
Charlene stepped out onto the third-floor balcony, looking down through the marble pillars to the foyer below.
Bethany stood near the entrance, dressed in a sharp red trench coat, her face flushed with furious arrogance. Behind her stood two large men in dark suits—her father's personal state security guards.
Blocking their path at the base of the grand staircase stood Mrs. Gable and two of Dominic's tactical security guards, their hands resting noticeably near their holstered weapons.
"Miss Garcia," Mrs. Gable said coldly, her voice devoid of its usual deference. "Mr. Hamilton gave explicit orders. You are not permitted on the property grounds. If you have personal items to retrieve, submit a written request to Mr. Moretti."
"How dare you speak to me like that, you old hag!" Bethany shrieked, taking a step forward. "My father is a United States Senator! This estate exists because my father allows it to exist! Move out of my way before I have my men arrest every one of you!"
From the shadows of the hallway, Vincent Moretti stepped forward smoothly. He wore his dark suit, his face entirely unreadable.
"Miss Garcia," Vincent said, his voice quiet, calm, and utterly chilling. "Your father's security detail has no jurisdiction on private property. If your guards draw their weapons, my men will shoot them where they stand."
The two state guards behind Bethany immediately took a step back, their faces turning pale as they recognized the absolute seriousness in Vincent's eyes.
Bethany sneered, looking up toward the upper floors. "Where is he?! Where is Dominic?! Is he hiding that disgusting pregnant maid up there?! Is that why you're keeping me out?!"
Up on the third-floor balcony, Charlene stepped into view, resting her hands on the cold marble railing.
"I'm right here, Miss Garcia," Charlene called down softly.
Every head in the foyer snapped upward.
Bethany looked up, her jaw dropping as she saw Charlene standing on the third-floor balcony—not wearing a servant's apron, not carrying a polish rag, but dressed in an expensive cashmere sweater, her dark hair falling gracefully over her shoulders, standing inside the private sanctuary of the master wing.
"You..." Bethany gasped, her face turning from red to a ghostly, mottled white. "What are you doing up there?! That's Dominic's private floor! You dirty, pathetic little thief—get down here!"
Charlene didn't raise her voice. She didn't shrink back. She stood tall, her spine straight, her pregnant stomach fully visible against the light of the chandelier.
"You were told to leave, Miss Garcia," Charlene said, her voice clear, resonant, and calm. "This is no longer your concern. Please exit the house."
"You whore!" Bethany screamed, completely losing control, pushing past Mrs. Gable toward the stairs. "You think because he felt sorry for you and let you sleep in his bed that you're someone?! You're a maid! You're dirt! My father will destroy this house!"
Vincent didn't raise his voice. He simply signaled with two fingers.
Four armed security guards stepped out from the side corridors, instantly surrounding Bethany and her two state guards. They seized the state guards' arms, disarming them in seconds, while two guards grabbed Bethany by her elbows, locking her arms behind her back.
"Take them to the gate," Vincent ordered coldly. "If Miss Garcia screams again, put a piece of duct tape over her mouth."
"Let go of me! You can't touch me! Dominic will kill you all for this!" Bethany shrieked as she was dragged backward toward the heavy front doors, her expensive heels dragging uselessly across the limestone floor.
The heavy front doors slammed shut behind them, cutting off her screams instantly.
Silence returned to the foyer.
Vincent looked up toward the third-floor balcony, meeting Charlene's gaze. He raised two fingers to his forehead in a brief, respectful salute.
"Are you alright, Mrs. Hamilton?" Vincent asked clearly, his voice echoing through the grand hall for every staff member to hear.
Mrs. Gable dropped her head in absolute shock, her eyes wide as she looked up at Charlene.
May you like
Charlene looked down at the housekeeper, then back at Vincent.
"I'm fine, Vincent," Charlene replied softly, a calm, steady smile breaking across her face. "Thank you."
