The dark sedan pulled away from the gated estate and headed toward downtown.
Arthur sat in the backseat, staring absentmindedly out the window.
He remembered the frightened look in Elena’s eyes right before Clara appeared.
Elena had never acted nervous or secretive around him before.
She had loved Lily like her own family since the day the baby came home.
Arthur pulled out his phone and opened the security app connected to the home cameras.
To his surprise, the camera feed for the nursery showed offline.
He tried refreshing the app, but the screen remained completely black.
Arthur: Thomas, did you schedule any maintenance for the security system today?
Thomas: No, Mr. Vance, the whole system was fully functional this morning.
A wave of paranoia washed over Arthur as he stared at his dead phone screen.
He recalled how Clara had insisted on taking control of the estate’s utility accounts.
She claimed she wanted to help manage the household expenses to relieve his stress.
Now, the dark screen felt like a deliberate barrier built to keep him in the dark.
Arthur: Turn the car around, Thomas.
Thomas: Sir, your investors are already waiting in the main conference room.
Arthur: Turn the car around right now.
Thomas made a swift U-turn at the next intersection and sped back toward the mansion.
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Clara stood over Elena in the marble corridor.
The red dress rustled softly as Clara stepped closer with an angry expression.
Clara: What were you whispering to my husband earlier?
Elena: I was only answering his question, ma'am.
Clara: You are a maid here, not a member of this family.
Elena: You cannot keep locking the baby in her room and ignoring her!
Clara: I can do whatever I want in my own house!
Clara grabbed the silver baby monitor from Elena’s hands and threw it to the floor.
The plastic casing cracked against the white marble tiles with a sharp snap.
Elena gasped and knelt down immediately to gather the broken pieces.
Elena: Why are you being so cruel to a helpless child?
Clara: Because that baby is the only thing standing between me and Arthur’s full estate!
Elena looked up, her eyes wide with total shock at Clara’s blunt confession.
Elena: Arthur loves his daughter more than his own life!
Clara: Which is exactly why I need her out of the picture!
Clara reached down and roughly grabbed Elena by her uniform collar.
Clara: Pack your bags and get out before I call the police and frame you for theft!