Chapter 3 - the lost diamond
Morning arrived with a thick layer of fog wrapping around the estate's sprawling gardens. Inside the main dining hall, a massive dark oak table was set with fine porcelain and silver cutlery.
Vanessa sat at the head of the table, sipping her black coffee with an air of cold superiority. Opposite her, Daniel sat in his tailored black suit, his sharp features impassive as he read through a stack of financial reports.
Grace moved quietly around the perimeter of the room, refreshing water glasses and ensuring the service ran smoothly.
Vanessa set her porcelain cup down with a sharp clink against the saucer. She looked directly across at Daniel, her eyes wide with manufactured distress.
"Daniel, darling," Vanessa began, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "I hate to bring up domestic troubles while you're recovering from such a terrible fall, but we simply cannot ignore the security issues in this house."
Daniel didn't look up from his paper. "What security issues?"
Vanessa pointed a manicured finger toward Grace, who was standing by the sideboard. "Items have been going missing from my dressing room. First my diamond bracelet, and now a set of rare silver keys from my jewelry box. I suspect certain staff members are taking advantage of your generous nature."
Grace held her posture straight, her hands folded neatly over her pale-blue apron. She didn't offer a dramatic defense; her expression remained dignified and calm.
Daniel slowly lowered his papers, resting his elbows on the table. His luxury watch glinted under the chandelier light as he fixed his dark, piercing gaze upon his fiancée.
"Grace has worked in this estate for three years, Vanessa," Daniel said, his voice dropping an octave into a low, terrifying register. "She has access to every master key in the east wing. If she wanted to steal from this family, she could have walked away with millions long ago."
Vanessa’s fake smile faltered. "Are you taking a maid's word over mine?"
"I am taking logic over accusation," Daniel replied smoothly. "Where did you last see the bracelet?"
"In my velvet box beside the vanity!" Vanessa insisted, adjusting her diamond earrings. "I looked everywhere yesterday morning before your accident."
Daniel gestured subtly to one of his security officers standing near the double doors. "Marcus. Bring up the security footage from the upper corridor for yesterday at ten in the morning."
Vanessa’s breath hitched slightly. Her fingers twitched against her napkin. "Daniel, surely you don't need to review security tapes over a minor domestic matter—"
"I take theft in my home very seriously," Daniel interrupted coldly.
Marcus brought a sleek tactical tablet to the table, resting it beside Daniel’s plate. The video screen played clear, high-definition footage of the second-floor hallway.
At 10:14 AM, the footage showed Vanessa stepping out of her dressing room, slipping a sparkling object into her own leather handbag before walking down the hall toward the terrace.
The dining room went dead silent.
Grace remained standing by the sideboard, her face betraying no smugness or victory—only quiet composure.
Vanessa turned pale, her rosy flush vanishing instantly. "I... I must have misplaced it in my bag without realizing—"
"You accused Grace of theft in front of the entire household staff," Daniel said, his tone chillingly level. "APOLOGIZE to her."
Vanessa gasped softly, her eyes flashing with pure humiliation. "Daniel! I am your fiancée!"
"And Grace is an employee under my personal protection," Daniel stated, his terrifying presence filling the grand dining hall. "Apologize. Now."
Vanessa’s jaw trembled. She turned her head toward Grace, forcing out the words through clenched teeth. "I... I apologize, Grace."
"Thank you, Miss Cole," Grace replied quietly, dipping her head respectfully.
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"Clear the table," Daniel instructed Marcus. He stood up, smoothing his tailored suit jacket, and looked down at Vanessa. "We are going to have a private conversation in my study tonight about your motives in this house."
As Daniel walked out of the room, Vanessa glared at Grace with a hatred so intense it could cut through glass. But Grace simply picked up the coffee pot and continued her work, unbothered by the fiancée's murderous gaze.
