Chapter 9 - The Shocking Return
Just as life in the mansion seemed to find its perfect rhythm, a storm broke from an unexpected direction.
Sarah was in the kitchen preparing a snack for the girls when the front doorbell rang. Nancy was off for the weekend, so Sarah went to answer it. When she opened the heavy oak doors, she found a glamorous woman standing there, wearing oversized sunglasses and a fur coat.
Sarah recognized her instantly from the portraits in the locked studio.
It was Eleanor’s sister, Victoria—a woman who had cut ties with Arthur after Eleanor’s death, blaming him for her sister's suffering.
"Can I help you?" Sarah asked, her instincts immediately going on high alert.
Victoria pushed past Sarah into the foyer, looking around with a sneer. "Where is my niece? And who are you? The new maid?"
"I am Brooke's companion, and Arthur's coordinator," Sarah said firmly, stepping into Victoria’s path. "Mr. Whitmore is not home at the moment."
"Good, because I'm not here for him," Victoria snapped, pulling a set of legal documents from her designer handbag. "I’ve seen the tabloids. Arthur has been letting his grief ruin this family, hiring random staff to raise my sister's child. I’ve filed for sole custody of Brooke. I am taking her to London with me."
Brooke and Alice came running down the stairs, halted by the shouting. Seeing Victoria, Brooke shrank back, terrified by the aggressive stranger who looked so much like her late mother but possessed none of her warmth.
"You're not taking her anywhere," Sarah said, her voice dropping into a dangerous, protective growl. She stepped in front of the stairs, shielding the girls.
"We'll see what the judge says about a low-class maid interfering with family matters," Victoria hissed, stepping closer.
Suddenly, the front door swung open, and Arthur stepped inside. The air in the foyer instantly turned to ice. He had heard everything.
"Get out of my house, Victoria," Arthur said, his voice deadly calm, though his eyes flashed with a terrifying fury.
"Arthur! You're unfit! Look at this place, you've let commoners take over—"
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"Sarah Miller saved my daughter's life while you were spending your inheritance in Europe," Arthur said, stepping forward until Victoria was forced to back down. "My lawyers will destroy your custody petition before it ever hits a judge's desk. If you ever threaten my family or Sarah again, I will ensure you are ruined. Now, get out."
Terrified by the sheer power and conviction in Arthur's voice, Victoria grabbed her bag and fled down the driveway.
