LOGINDaniel arrived at the mansion just as the sun began to tilt toward the west.His car stopped at the main entrance. He stepped out with decisive strides without waiting for the driver to open the door.Marcus followed behind with a tablet and briefcase."Handle all remaining work for today," said Daniel without looking back. "Confirm by message once it's done. I have matters to attend to inside.""Yes, Sir."Daniel walked straight into the mansion. He passed through the foyer without acknowledging the servants who bowed respectfully.Heading directly to the basement.To the private security room where Mrs. Helen was waiting.Mr. Harris was already standing at the door. He opened it the moment he saw Daniel approaching."Sir."Daniel gave a brief nod. He entered the small, windowless room.Mrs. Helen sat in a chair with her head bowed. Her back was rigid with tension. Her hands were clenched in her lap.She did not dare look up at Daniel as he entered.Daniel sat in the chair across fro
Junior finished changing out of his school uniform into a t-shirt and shorts.He stepped out of his room with excitement, carrying the small painting kit Clarissa had given him last week.Clarissa was still standing in the living room, staring at the family photos on the wall with a blank expression."Mama!" Junior ran toward her. "I already changed. Can I paint in the backyard?"Clarissa startled. She turned to Junior with a forced smile.But her eyes looked exhausted. Her face was pale."You may, sweetheart," she said in a weak voice. "But Mama can't come with you. Mama's headache is getting worse."Junior grew immediately worried. He set his painting kit down on the sofa and approached Clarissa.His small hand touched the back of her hand, checking whether she had a fever."Mama is sick? Should we go to the doctor?"Clarissa smiled at her son's concern. She gently stroked Junior's head."No need for a doctor. Mama just needs to rest for a little while. Go ahead and paint. Mama will
Daniel had just finished lunch with an important client when Mr. Harris sent him the message. He sat in a luxurious restaurant on the fortieth floor of a downtown building with business colleagues. Discussing an expansion contract worth billions. But Daniel's mind wasn't fully focused. Part of his brain kept drifting to the house. Thinking about Alina and the increasingly complicated situation. When his phone vibrated on the table, he immediately took it. Message from Mr. Harris. Daniel read quickly. His eyes narrowed deeper as he read each word. Mrs. Helen took photos of evidence of injuries on Alina's face. And would send them to outside parties. Daniel felt anger burning in his chest. He'd already given that woman a warning. Already emphasized it was her last chance after previously being caught helping Alina communicate with Emma. But the old servant still violated it. She still chose to defend Alina. Daniel typed a reply with fingers pressing the screen from anger. "D
Mr. Harris brought Mrs. Helen to a special security room in the basement of the Blackwood mansion.A small room without windows. Only a table, two chairs, and a CCTV camera in the corner of the ceiling.Usually used for interrogating staff suspected of stealing or committing serious violations.Mrs. Helen had never entered this room during her twenty years of work.Now she sat in a chair facing the table with two security guards standing behind her.Mr. Harris sat in the opposite chair. Stared at her with a cold expression."Mrs. Helen," he said in a formal tone. "Do you know why you were brought here?"Mrs. Helen lifted her chin. Tried to look calm though her heart pounded hard."No. I don't know.""Alright, if you want to make this drawn out. Let's start from the beginning." Mr. Harris opened a tablet in front of him. "This morning you brought breakfast for Mrs. Alina, but stayed there beyond the allotted time. What did you do while in the room?""Coaxing Madam to eat. Feeding her.
Mrs. Helen finished feeding Alina carefully. Half a bowl of porridge made it in. Better than nothing at all. "Good, Miss," she said while placing the empty bowl back on the tray. "You must keep eating. To maintain your strength." Alina nodded slowly. Her eyes still puffy but slightly more focused now. Mrs. Helen stood. Took the tray. "I'll be back later with lunch. Get enough rest." She turned toward the door. But before leaving, Mrs. Helen threw one last glance at Alina. The young woman had returned to curling up in the corner. Hugging her own knees. Staring blankly at the floor. Destroyed. Broken. Afraid. Mrs. Helen felt her chest tighten again. But she couldn't do anything more now. She'd already taken photos. Already got evidence. Now she just had to send them to Emma. Mrs. Helen left the room. Closed the door slowly. Mr. Harris still stood in the corridor. Staring at her sharply. "Finished?" "Yes. Mrs. Alina ate half the portion. I'll return later
The next morning, Junior woke up listless.He hadn't slept well last night. Nightmares kept coming even though Clarissa held him until morning.He went down to the dining room with lazy steps. His face gloomy.Clarissa, still upset and sleep-deprived from the whole night, tried to look cheerful. Smiled widely when Junior sat in his chair."Good morning, darling. Sleep well?"Junior shook his head slightly. Didn't answer with words.Clarissa suppressed a frustrated sigh. She pulled out a chair and sat beside Junior.The servants began serving breakfast.But Junior just stared at the plate in front of him without touching it.His eyes swept the large dining room.Empty.Usually his grandmother sat at the end of the table. His father in the head chair. And lately Alina in the farthest chair.But this time, only him and Clarissa.The long table felt too vast. Too quiet."Mama," Junior finally asked. His voice small. "Where is everyone?"Clarissa picked up her fork. Cut the egg on her own
At ten minutes past five in the afternoon, a black car pulled into the mansion's driveway.Junior got out with a backpack on his back, his steps slow as they had been lately. The driver opened the door for him, but Junior only nodded slightly without smiling.Mrs. Helen greeted him at the door with
"Mr. Blackwood, I need your consent for surgery." Dr. Emily held out a clipboard with forms. "Time is critical."Daniel took the pen with numb fingers, signing without reading. His hand moved automatically while his brain struggled to process.Junior. Surgery. Brain damage."We're prepping the OR n
Alina woke up not knowing where she was.Ceiling too high. Light wrong. Body heavy in a way that felt chemical, not natural.She blinked slowly, trying to orient herself.Library. She was in the library.On the sofa.The last thing she remembered was chamomile tea and Clarissa's voice talking about
The ambulance arrived in seven minutes.Clarissa stayed on the floor, cradling Junior's head in her lap, trying to stop the bleeding with a pillowcase Mrs. Helen handed her. The fabric turned crimson within seconds."Stay with me, baby," she whispered, voice shaking. "Please stay with me."Margaret







