Chapter 2 - The Rule Nobody Broke.
Emma’s gaze locked on the brass key in Adrian’s hand.
The fear on her face became more controlled, which somehow made Adrian more suspicious.
“Where did you get this?”
Emma looked toward Marcus in the doorway.
Marcus understood the glance and stepped back into the hall.
Adrian waited.
He had built an empire by letting silence become uncomfortable enough for people to fill it.
Emma did not.
“I found it.”
“Where?”
“In the laundry room.”
Adrian turned the key between his fingers.
The West Archive Room had been locked since his father died.
Only three people currently had access.
Adrian.
Celeste.
And Gavin.
No maid should have been anywhere near a duplicate key.
Emma pushed the blanket aside and stood too fast.
The room tilted beneath her.
Adrian caught her wrist before she could fall.
She froze at his touch.
He released her immediately.
“You’re done working tonight.”
“I can finish the study.”
“No.”
“I need the hours.”
Adrian’s eyes sharpened.
“You’re paid by salary.”
Emma said nothing.
That answer told him more than words could have.
He called Marcus back in.
“Bring me the household payroll records.”
Emma’s breath caught.
Adrian noticed.
“Why does that scare you?”
“It doesn’t.”
“Emma.”
She looked down.
“Mrs. Harrow said there are deductions when rooms aren’t finished.”
Adrian became completely still.
“What deductions?”
Emma swallowed.
“Uniform damage.”
“Anything else?”
“Cleaning supplies.”
“Anything else?”
Her voice dropped lower.
“Late penalties.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
None of those deductions existed in the contracts he approved.
Before he could speak, Celeste appeared in the doorway.
Her eyes moved immediately to Emma, then to the brass key.
“You found her.”
Adrian’s voice stayed calm.
“Apparently.”
Celeste smiled politely.
“Emma, you should go back to staff quarters.”
Emma obeyed the tone before she seemed to realize she was moving.
Adrian lifted one hand.
“Stay.”
Emma stopped.
Celeste’s smile faded by a fraction.
“She has an early shift.”
“She does not.”
Celeste looked at him.
Adrian placed the brass key on his desk.
“Tomorrow morning, every domestic employee gets the day off with full pay.”
Celeste blinked.
“That will disrupt the entire house.”
“Then the house can survive one inconvenient day.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“Marcus is auditing payroll tonight.”
For the first time, Celeste’s composure cracked.
“That seems unnecessary.”
Adrian saw Emma notice it too.
He looked at Celeste.
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
Celeste turned to leave.
Emma suddenly spoke.
“Mrs. Harrow.”
Celeste stopped.
Emma’s voice trembled, but she forced the words out.
“I didn’t tell him anything.”
Adrian watched Celeste slowly turn back.
Her expression was pleasant.
Too pleasant.
“I know, dear.”
She left.
The moment the door closed, Emma grabbed the edge of the couch.
Adrian looked at her.
“What does she think you know?”
Emma shook her head.
“I should leave.”
“You’re staying in the guest wing tonight.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
Emma stared at the fire.
Then she whispered something Adrian almost missed.
“Because if I’m still here when they realize the key is gone, they’ll know I opened the room.”
Adrian’s eyes moved to the brass key.
“You opened it?”
May you like
Emma finally looked at him.
“I wish I hadn’t.”
