"What are you doing here?" Eric Crown asked the head chef.
Ms. Florence froze. Panic filled her eyes.
Elder Malcolm's eyes narrowed. Why was the head chef here?
"Ms. Florence," Elder Madam Lanzo called out, her voice sharp. "What are you doing here? I told all staff to stay in the quarters until we call them."
"I... I just wanted to... to welcome Miss Sophie back, ma. I heard she is back and—"
"You've been standing there long enough to hear what we were discussing," Eric cut her off. He took one step closer to her. "How long have you been standing there?"
Sophie instinctively moved behind her father.
Ms. Florence's eyes darted to the gates, to the kitchen exit, to the USB in Sophie's hand. Her breathing became fast and ragged.
"I... I didn't hear anything! I swear by God!"
Senior Marcus walked towards her slowly. The grief-stricken father was gone. Now he was the Senior Marcus Lanzo the business world feared.
"Florence. Look at me."
She looked up, tears now falling.
