Eleanor walked back into the living room, sitting gracefully on the edge of the velvet sofa.

“It is for the protection of the family name,” she said.

“We cannot have the CEO of Carter Enterprises accused of laundering money through his former maid.”

The second officer stepped into the foyer, his hand resting near his belt.

“Mr. Carter, we need you to come with us now.”

Nathan looked at me, his eyes filled with a desperate apology.

“Call our attorney,” he whispered.

“I will be back as soon as I can, Emily.”

I watched through the window as the police car drove away, its sirens silent but its lights painting the gravel driveway in shades of blue and red.

The news vans at the gate were already multiplying, their camera flashes popping like distant lightning against the dark sky.

I turned around to face Eleanor.

She was pouring herself a cup of tea from the silver pot on the side table.

“You knew about this,” I said, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

“Of course I did,” she said, taking a delicate sip.