Chapter 2 - A SPOKEN LIE
The police officers arrived at the scene as flames consumed the roof.
Officer Miller stepped forward with a notepad in hand.
He looked at the burning ruins, then at the wealthy couple.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, are you both alright?" Officer Miller asked.
"We are fine, officer, thank God," Victoria said, pretending to sob.
She wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.
"It’s our brave maid Eleanor who saved our precious boy," Victoria continued.
Officer Miller turned his attention toward Eleanor.
He noticed the deep soot on her face and the burns on her hands.
"Miss Eleanor, can you tell us how the fire began?" Officer Miller asked.
Eleanor felt Richard’s cold glare burning into her back.
She knew what was at stake.
Her seven-year-old brother, Leo, was waiting for her at home.
If Richard used his political power, he could take Leo away forever.
Eleanor swallowed hard, her throat feeling dry like sandpaper.
"I... I was careless," Eleanor lied, her voice cracking.
"I left a lit candle near the curtains in the study."
Officer Miller wrote down her words carefully.
Arthur shifted in Eleanor’s arms and pulled at her sleeve.
"No, Eleanor! That’s not true!" Arthur suddenly shouted.
"Father locked my room from the outside!"
The entire courtyard went completely still.
Officer Miller stopped writing and looked up slowly.
Richard immediately stepped forward and grabbed Arthur’s arm forcefully.
"The boy is traumatized and confused, officer," Richard said smoothly.
"He inhaled too much smoke and doesn't know what he's saying."
"Let go of him! You're hurting him!" Eleanor yelled, pulling Arthur back.
"Know your place!" Richard barked, stepping into Eleanor's space.
Officer Miller frowned, sensing the extreme tension.
"Mr. Sterling, please step back," Officer Miller warned calmly.
"We need to take the boy to the hospital immediately."
An ambulance backed into the driveway with flashing red lights.
Paramedics rushed out with a stretcher.
They placed Arthur onto the gurney despite his screams.
"Eleanor! Don't leave me!" Arthur cried out, reaching his small hands toward her.
"I'm coming with you, Arthur!" Eleanor shouted, trying to follow.
Victoria quickly stepped into Eleanor’s path, blocking her way.
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"You're fired, Eleanor," Victoria said with a satisfied grin.
"And you are forbidden from coming near my son ever again."
