Chapter 4 - THE ARREST PLANNED BEFORE TEA.
Vivian insisted she had only accused Nora of taking a teacup.
The household security report said otherwise. Before entering the dining room, Vivian had called police and claimed Nora stole family silver and threatened her.
The report was prepared before Nora raised the key.
Nora looked at Charles.
“She planned my arrest before she knew what I found.”
Charles admitted Vivian hired Nora three months earlier after learning Elaine’s daughter had applied for work. They hoped Nora would lead them to the missing key.
Nora’s humiliation sharpened into anger.
“You did not see an employee. You saw bait.”
Mrs. Doyle and the retired staff formed an interim council and froze all family transfers. Nora refused the chair.
“My mother’s vote does not make me owner of everyone else’s sacrifice.”
The audit found the mansion’s staff housing had been refinanced repeatedly. Retired workers were paying rent on homes their surrendered wages had purchased.
Then a bank officer produced the newest eviction list.
Twenty families were scheduled to be removed the next morning.
May you like
The approval carried Charles’s signature.
One of the listed tenants was Elaine Hale.
Related Stories
