Chapter 7 - The Shadows of the Serving Kitchen
The silence in the grand hall hung like a heavy curtain. None of the wealthy onlookers dared to move or speak, their eyes shifting back and forth between Victoria’s icy demeanor and Claire’s trembling form.
“Answer me, Claire,” Victoria repeated, her hand tightening around the tiny vial so hard the glass threatened to crack. “You were in the prep kitchen before the cake was brought out. I saw you speaking to the catering staff.”
Claire swallowed hard, taking a small step backward, her high heels scraping against the marble. “Victoria, please... you’re letting a hysterical servant confuse you. That... that’s just my personal prescription. It must have fallen from my clutch when I went to grab her.”
“Your clutch is sitting on the main table next to my seat,” Victoria replied coldly, pointing with her free hand toward the far end of the linen-covered table where Claire’s silver handbag rested, untouched.
May you like
A murmur went through the crowd. The logic was undeniable. The vial had come directly from the pocket hidden inside Claire’s dress.
Emma slowly stood up, supporting her weight against the doorframe. Her forehead was red where the crystal plate had struck her, but her voice was steady as she spoke across the room. “She offered me ten thousand dollars to leave the kitchen for five minutes while the dessert was being plated, Mrs. Sterling. When I refused, she told me I’d be fired by morning. I stayed in the hallway... and I saw her drop something into the cream.”
