“Harrington Heiress Almost Drowns Little Girl - Nanny Saves Mystery Child”

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“This is bullshit!”

Gregory hurled his phone onto the couch. It bounced once before landing face-down. Amelia flinched at the sound, curling up.

Across the room, Chloe crossed her legs slowly, eyes narrowed. “Lower your voice.”

“Lower my…?” He laughed, harsh and incredulous. “Do you see what’s happening out there? It’s everywhere. The story’s gone viral.”

“I know that,” she snapped. “But yelling won’t fix…”

“This is your fault,” he cut in, spinning toward her.

Her brows shot up. “My fault? Was I the one by the pool?”

“No,” Gregory shot back, “but it was your friends filming everything like vultures. Now look at this mess.”

Chloe stood abruptly. Amelia’s eyes followed her, wide and uncertain.

“This wouldn’t have happened if you’d listened to me,” Chloe hissed. “If you’d fired that woman and her brat like I said…”

Gregory clenched his jaw. “How can you be so daft?”

Her eyes went wide, offended.

She stormed toward him and jabbed a finger against his chest.

“Take. That. Back.”

“And why should I?” he said coldly. “Our family is being dragged through the mud, and all you care about is punishing an innocent woman and her daugh….”

He stopped.

Chloe looked at him as if he’d struck her.

“Innocent?” she whispered. “There’s nothing innocent about Evelyn. I’m surer now that you’re defending her. Taking her side while our daughter…”

She pointed at Amelia, who sat stiff on the couch, watching them both.

“Our daughter is being humiliated, labeled spoiled and cruel, and you’re standing there siding with that wretch.”

She screamed in his face.

He didn’t flinch.

“And are they wrong?” he shot back.

“What?” Chloe gasped.

“You did this,” he said evenly. “You defended Amelia in front of everyone, denying what was obvious. You turned her into exactly what they’re accusing her of.”

“How was it obvious? Were we there? How do you know that brat wasn’t lying?”

Gregory stared at her, jaw tight.

Then, without looking away, he called out.

“Rose. Come here.”

Chloe turned.

A maid hurried in, shoulders tense, eyes lowered.

“Tell her what you saw last night,” Gregory said.

The maid trembled.

Chloe’s stare burned into the girl like a warning.

She opened her mouth then closed it again.

“Speak,” Gregory barked.

Rose swallowed. Her hands trembled.

“Y-yes, sir. Last night… I saw Little Miss Amelia and Lily arguing. Lily said something. Miss Amelia stepped closer. Lily backed up near the pool edge. Then… Miss Amelia pushed her in. And watched.”

“That’s not true!” Amelia cried, jumping up.

Gregory turned sharply.

“Sit down. Not a word.”

She froze. Tears spilled as she slowly sat back down.

Chloe stepped toward the maid. “So you’re saying my daughter pushed her?”

The maid’s eyes showed fear.

“Then tell me what Lily said to make Amelia do it.”

Gregory sighed.

“That’s not the point, Chloe. The point is we look like bad parents raising a spoiled brat.”

Chloe ignored him. Her gaze locked on the maid.

“Talk. Cat got your tongue?”

“I… didn’t hear the words,” the maid whispered.

That was all it took.

Chloe grabbed Rose by the hair and struck her before anyone could react. The sound echoed. Rose collapsed to the floor.

“You lying bitch!” Chloe screamed, hitting her again and again.

“How dare you lie about my daughter!”

Gregory rushed forward, dragging Chloe off her.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Chloe was breathing hard, eyes wild. Then she smiled.

She walked to Amelia and knelt, smoothing her hair.

“Look at mummy.”

Amelia stared, shaken.

“You did nothing wrong,” Chloe said softly. “I will always protect you.”

Amelia nodded, small and obedient.

“What’s our motto?” Chloe asked, gripping her chin.

“Harringtons never apologize,” Amelia whispered.

“We win.”

Chloe smiled, proud.

“That’s my girl.”

I watched from the top of the stairs, fists clenched, heart on fire.

Chloe was deliberately molding my daughter into a monster.

Just like her.

I turned, fists clenched, heart burning. There was nothing I could do… not yet. Slowly, I climbed back upstairs, already planning the next phase.

And it would hurt.

****

Later, in the staff kitchen, the air still heavy with whispers, I dabbed ointment gently on Rose’s split lip.

“She’s cruel,” Clara muttered. “And she’s turning her daughter into the same thing.”

Rose sniffed. “I didn’t lie, Miss Evelyn.”

“I know,” I said softly, lifting her chin. “I believe you.”

“I believe you, Rose.”

“I’m sorry this happened.”

She shook her head.

“Not your fault, Miss Evelyn…”

“What’s going on here?”

Chloe’s voice filled the room.

Every head shot up.

Rose jumped off the stool.

Clara too.

They rushed out.

“Sorry, ma’am, we were…”

“I don’t want excuses,” Chloe yelled. “You’re not paid to sit around.”

The maids ran.

My heart burned at her tone.

I said nothing.

Turned to pack the first-aid kit.

Her heels clacked closer.

I stiffened.

She stopped inches behind me.

“And you,” she said, voice full of venom. “I have an errand.”

I turned slowly.

Face blank.

“What is it, ma’am?”

“Go downtown. Pick up Amelia’s diamond dress from the boutique.”

I gripped the kit tighter.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t. Lily needs a hospital check-up this morning. Doctor’s orders.”

Chloe laughed, sharp, ugly.

“That little brat is fine. Stop treating her like some weak orphan.”

She stepped closer.

“The way you raise her, always soft, always ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ Pathetic. Look at my Amelia. Strong. A real winner.”

Every word stabbed.

My hand twitched.

I wanted to hit her.

Instead I stepped back.

“I’ll ask one of the staff to go.”

I tried to leave.

Chloe’s hand shot out, grabbed my arm, spun me around hard.

“Don’t you walk away from me!” she yelled.

Her palm slapped me across the face.

The slap echoed in the kitchen.

My cheek burned.

Blood rushed in my ears.

I raised my hand, ready to hit back.

Chloe leaned in, smile cold and daring. “Go ahead. Hit me.”

She paused, eyes gleaming.

“But next time, your precious little brat won’t be the only one drowning in a pool.”

Her voice dropped to a hiss.

“And you? Out on the street. No job. No reference. I’ll make sure no one ever hires you again.”

She stepped closer.

“Trust me, Evelyn. I’ll make your life hell.”

The threat hit me like a bucket of ice water.

My nails bit into my palm.

My hand froze inches from her face.

Lily.

She was threatening Lily.

Chloe leaned in, breath hot on my face.

“You’re nothing here, Evelyn. Nothing. Remember that.”

Footsteps echoed from the hallway.

A new voice, calm, male, unfamiliar, cut through the silence.

“What’s going on here?”