While Geoffrey calmly sipped his tea, even Simon couldn't hide his surprise. Not wanting to be harsh, he adopted a coaxing tone. "It's just a minor household

dispute, Norah. Involving the authorities seems like a bit of an overreaction, wouldn't you say?"

"Exactly. Think of the scandal if word got out!" Hannah hurriedly chimed in.

Norah directed a sweet, innocent smile at Simon. "But Hannah's gown must have been incredibly expensive, right? That qualifies as a massive destruction of property. How could that possibly be a minor issue?"

"It happened so long ago," Hannah said, her smile faltering. "The dress and the hair were thrown out. Even if the cops show up, there's nothing left for them to investigate."

"Of course there is!" Norah countered confidently. "This estate must have security cameras. Even if there aren't any inside your room, the hallways definitely have them. The police can pull the footage to see if Gonzalez's cat ever actually entered your room that day. They can also check if anyone snuck into the cat's room to steal some fur. The truth will be crystal clear in minutes."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Norah smiled pleasantly. "If Hannah is too kindhearted to call the police on her own staff, I'll happily be the bad guy and make the call myself!"

With that, Norah pulled out her phone and prepared to dial the authorities.

"Mrs. Hanson!" Celia gasped out in a panic.

Hannah's face paled drastically. "Norah!"

Norah looked up, her expression a picture of pure innocence. "Hannah, Gonzalez was literally driven out of his own home over a dress. So who is more important: a maid, or Gonzalez? I truly don't understand why you and Yvonne keep taking the side of the hired help instead of your own family. Or do you just not see Gonzalez as family at all?"

Her tone was utterly sweet, yet every single question hit the target with lethal precision.

Simon's eyes darkened with suspicion as he cast an icy glare at his wife.

Hannah gave a visible shudder. Her fingers curled into her palms as she forced a strained smile. "You're taking this out of proportion, Norah. Of course Gonzalez is more important."

"Exactly! Which is why we have to clear his name!" Norah said brightly, moving to press the call button.

"Mrs. Hanson!" Celia cried out again, her face practically translucent with terror.

Norah turned her attention to the

maid, her bright eyes flashing with a predatory chill. "When the police get here and uncover the truth, you won't just be paying for the

vel

damages, Celia. You'll go to prison. A criminal record like that will tím, your family's future. But if you confess right now, maybe Hannah will take your years of loyal service into account and let you off the hook."

Cold sweat beaded on Celia's forehead as she shot a frantic, desperate look at Hannah.

She could tell this Lamont heiress wasn't bluffing. If the cops showed up and checked the security tapes, she would be fired in disgrace anyway.

Her only hope was to beg her employer for a lifeline.

Hannah did the math in a split second. She adjusted her tone, speaking with grim authority. "Celia, have always valued you. I find it hard to believe you'd do something like this. But if you did ruin that dress and frame Gonzalez's cat for it you need to tell me the truth right now if you do, I can ask my husband for leniency. But if you refuse to confess, or if you start making up wild lies, I won't be able to protect you."

Celia perfectly understood the hidden warning in Hannah's words.

Her eyes darted around frantically as

she weighed her limited options. Finally, she dropped her head, her voice trembling with guilt. "I... I was the one who ruined the dress was terrified you'd be furious with me ma am. So when the maid looking after the cat wasn't around, I

gathered a few loose hairs and

planted them on the fabric."

"Outrageous!" Simon roared, slamming his palm violently against the table.

Celia violently flinched. "I'm so sorry, sir!"

Hannah's cheek twitched as she feigned outrage. "Celia, how could you do this after

all the trust I placed in you? You made me wrongly accuse Gonzalez and caused a

rift in this family! I am so incredibly disappointed in you."

Norah watched Hannah's theatrical performance with cool detachment.

Yvonne seemed genuinely caught off guard. She looked from the maid to her mother, pressing her lips together in tight silence.