The quiet room felt heavy as Richard stepped closer to Clara with anger in his eyes.
He demanded to know what happened to his second child on the night his wife passed away.
Clara backed away until her spine pressed tightly against the high back of the leather couch.
She claimed she knew nothing about what her mother had done at the medical clinic ten years ago.
Miss Benedict spoke up with a strong, clear voice that surprised everyone standing in the quiet room.
She explained that Clara's mother had been paid a massive sum of money by Richard's former business partner.
The partner wanted to ensure that the Vance inheritance was split up and thrown into legal chaos later on.
They had reported the second baby as stillborn and secretly placed the child into a distant foster home.
Miss Benedict had been Eleanor's private nurse before Eleanor ever met Richard and moved into the estate.
When Eleanor realized she was dying during the difficult birth, she trusted Miss Benedict with the entire truth.
She begged Miss Benedict to stay near Lily and watch over her until the lost twin could be recovered safely.
Miss Benedict took the humble kitchen job under a false name just to protect the helpless baby girl left behind.
For ten years, she scrubbed floors and cleaned dishes while secretly spending her low wages searching for the missing twin.
Clara had discovered the truth last week after finding old hospital letters hidden in her mother's attic space.
Instead of telling Richard, Clara used the secret to blackmail the business partner for a high monthly payment.
She had been trying to steal the box today so that all written proof would be destroyed forever.
Richard looked down at the old woman standing in faded black clothes and felt an overwhelming wave of guilt.
He realized that while he was busy expanding his business, this woman had sacrificed her life for his family.
He turned to Clara and told her that her time in his house was finished forever.
He pulled out his phone and dialed the local police department to report the theft and conspiracy immediately.
Clara began to cry and beg for mercy, but Richard refused to look at her as officers were dispatched.
Lily held Miss Benedict's hand tightly, smiling through her tears as the dark secrets were finally brought to light.