Chapter 4 - Stealing More Than Jewels
Celeste backed away, her hands trembling as she looked at the shocked faces of Chicago’s highest society staring back at her.
“Mason... please! Let me explain!” Celeste stammered, tears of sheer panic breaking through her pristine makeup. “I... I didn't steal it! It was a test! I wanted to see if your staff was trustworthy! You care more about these servants than you do about me!”
“A test?” Mason asked, stepping down off the hearth, his dark eyes burning with an intense, icy disgust. “You framed an innocent mother for grand larceny as a 'test'?”
“She’s nobody, Mason!” Celeste sobbed, her composure completely shattering into ugly desperation. “She’s just a maid! Who would care if she got fired?!”
“I care,” Mason said softly.
He looked over at Jerry. “Jerry, escort Miss Harrington off my property immediately. Call her driver. If she refuses to leave, call the Lake Forest Police Department and press charges for attempted insurance fraud and filing a false police report.”
“Mason, no! You can’t do this to me! My family—!” Celeste screamed as Jerry firmly took her by the elbow, guiding her forcibly toward the grand front entrance. Her cries faded down the long hallway until the heavy oak doors slammed shut behind her.
The room remained in stunned silence.
Mason didn't look at his guests. He walked slowly back to where Evelyn was still kneeling on the marble floor, holding little Lily tightly in her arms.
He knelt back down on the cold floor beside them.
“Evelyn,” Mason said, his voice thick with genuine remorse. “I am so sorry. I let a woman bring shame into my house, and I allowed her to put you through this.”
Evelyn looked at the billionaire, seeing the deep, painful humiliation in his eyes. “You didn't know, Mr. Whitaker.”
“I should have known,” Mason insisted gently. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out his pristine silk handkerchief, and gently wiped a tear from little Lily’s cheek.
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He looked at the small girl in pink pajamas. “And you, little lady... you saved this house tonight.”
Lily offered him a shy, tiny smile, burying her head back into her mother’s neck.
