Chapter 5 - Echoes of the Past
Ms. Sterling scoffed impatiently from the doorway.
"Sir, we are wasting time talking about cheap clothing," the house manager interrupted.
"The police are waiting for me to press the call button."
"Silence!" Mr. Maxwell roared, his voice shaking the very walls of the study.
Ms. Sterling flinched, stepping back with a look of pure shock on her face.
Mr. Maxwell turned his attention back to the open safe and the piles of cash on the rug.
"Eleanor, you told me earlier today that the security cameras in the west wing were malfunctioning," he said quietly.
"Yes, sir, the technicians are coming tomorrow," Ms. Sterling answered, her voice suddenly nervous.
"Isn't it convenient that the cameras break on the exact same day my safe is left open?" he mused.
Mr. Maxwell stood up, towering over the room with a terrifying authority.
"I never opened that safe today," Mr. Maxwell stated, his eyes locking onto the house manager.
"But I do remember giving you my master keys this morning to fetch a document from my car."
Ms. Sterling’s face drained of all color, turning as white as a sheet of paper.
"Sir, you cannot possibly believe that I would steal from you!" she gasped.
"This street trash is clearly trying to manipulate you by using her brat!"
At the sound of the harsh words, little Violet began to cry, burying her face into Sarah’s neck.
Mr. Maxwell’s jaw clenched tightly.
He reached into the open safe and pulled out a small, silver-framed photograph that had been pushed to the back.
He held it out for Sarah to see.
The breath was completely knocked out of Sarah’s lungs.
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The picture showed a beautiful little girl who looked exactly like Violet.
And the girl in the photograph was wearing the exact same yellow polka-dot dress.
