Chapter 11 - THE HOUSEKEEPER WHO BECAME A WITNESS
The investigation continued for weeks.
Dean Russo was charged in connection with the threats and the attack.
Victor Orchid faced serious criminal allegations.
Salvatore Moretti was arrested after investigators uncovered evidence linking him to the conspiracy.
I gave a formal statement.
I described the kitchen incident.
The threatening note.
The footsteps outside my room.
The conversations I'd overheard.
And the man who entered the guest suite during the attack.
Adrian insisted that I have independent legal representation.
He also offered to pay for trauma counseling.
I accepted the counseling.
But I refused to let him make decisions for me.
One afternoon, after another interview with investigators, I returned to the estate.
Adrian was waiting in the library.
"How did it go?"
I sighed.
"Long."
He nodded.
"Are you okay?"
I considered.
"Not entirely."
He looked concerned.
I smiled faintly.
"But I'm getting there."
He nodded.
Then said:
"Claire, you don't have to keep working here."
My stomach tightened.
"Are you firing me?"
He looked startled.
"No."
"Then what?"
He hesitated.
"I want you to have choices."
I stared.
"You can stay. You can leave. You can take paid time off. Whatever you need."
My eyes filled.
I'd spent years surviving from paycheck to paycheck.
Choices had always felt like a luxury.
Now someone was offering them without demanding anything in return.
I swallowed.
"Thank you."
Adrian smiled.
"You're welcome."
Then he added:
"And Claire?"
"Yes?"
"You were never just the housekeeper."
I looked at him.
May you like
He continued.
"You were the only person in this house brave enough to tell me the truth."
