Two weeks passed quickly inside the massive silence of the hill estate.
Emma was moved from the small maid quarters into a bright guest bedroom upstairs.
She no longer wore the gray uniform, but she felt out of place surrounded by luxury.
The high ceilings and valuable paintings made her feel small and completely isolated.
Arthur came home every evening at seven, his heavy footfalls echoing down the grand hallway.
He paid close attention to her daily meals and visited the home doctor regularly.
Yet he maintained a stiff distance, treating every detail like an executive project.
One afternoon, a sharp knocking sound resounded through the front iron doors.
Emma walked down the curved staircase to see who was visiting the private property.
Arthur's wealthy fiancee, Victoria Vance, stepped inside carrying designer shopping bags.
Victoria was the daughter of an influential banker who backed Arthur's corporate growth.
Her sharp heels clicked loudly against the marble entry floor as she looked around.
Victoria: Why are you wearing civilian clothes instead of your uniform, girl?
Emma stopped on the lower step, placing a defensive hand over her stomach.
Emma: I have been reassigned to lighter duties by Mr. Sterling himself.
Victoria scoffed loudly, stepping closer to inspect Emma with cold disgust.
Victoria: Arthur doesn't give light duties to simple domestic staff members like you.
Victoria: What kind of game are you playing in my future home?
Before Emma could answer, the front mahogany door swung open with a heavy thud.
Arthur entered the hallway, his eyes locking onto Victoria standing near Emma.
Arthur: Victoria, you were not scheduled to drop by the house today.
Victoria: I came to see why your head housekeeper says you reassigned this girl!
Victoria: She looks lazy and entirely out of place standing near the main stairs!
Arthur walked between the two women, his voice dropping into a dangerous quiet tone.
Arthur: Emma's presence here is my personal decision and no one else's.
Victoria: You are hiding something from me, Arthur, and I will find out what!
Victoria slammed her shopping bags onto the nearby glass table with rising anger.
She stared at Emma's protective posture and her eyes narrowed into sharp slits.
Victoria: Is she sick, or are you keeping a charity case in our mansion?
Arthur: Lower your voice in this house, or you can leave immediately.
Victoria stepped back in absolute shock at his cold, unyielding response.
She picked up her luxury coat and glared at Emma with dark suspicion.
Victoria: This isn't over, Arthur, not by a long shot!
She stormed out the front door, leaving a heavy silence behind her.