A man in a black three-piece suit crossed the foyer. "Why is my wife on the floor?"

While Arthur and Victoria plotted in the shadows, Clara set about transforming the Sterling Estate.

For years, the mansion had felt like a museum—cold, beautiful, and utterly devoid of life. Victoria’s reign of terror had kept the staff in a state of perpetual anxiety. Clara, having lived in their shoes, knew exactly what needed to change.

She called a staff meeting in the main dining room. The maids, groundskeepers, and kitchen staff filed in, looking terrified. They were used to being lined up and berated. Instead, they found Clara standing at the head of the table, a lavish breakfast buffet laid out before them.

"Please, eat," Clara encouraged, gesturing to the spread. When no one moved, she sighed softly and took a seat. "I know this is unusual. But things are going to be different from now on."

Maria, the senior housekeeper who had tried to warn Clara on the night of the gala, stood near the back, her eyes wide.

"First of all," Clara announced, "Everyone is receiving a twenty percent raise, effective immediately, along with full health benefits. This estate is massive, and you all work incredibly hard to maintain it. You deserve to be compensated fairly."

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

"Secondly," Clara continued, making eye contact with Maria. "Maria, if you are willing, I would like to offer you the position of Head of Household. You know this estate better than anyone, and more importantly, you have a kind heart."

Tears welled in Maria’s eyes. "Mrs. Vanguard... I... thank you. I would be honored."

"Clara. Just call me Clara," she smiled. "We are a team here. If anyone has a grievance, my door is always open. No one will ever be belittled or abused in this house again. Are we understood?"

The tension evaporated, replaced by overwhelming gratitude. As the staff finally began to eat and chatter, Julian leaned against the dining room doorframe, arms crossed, watching his wife with deep affection.

"You're a natural leader," he told her later as they walked through the snow-dusted gardens.