Chapter 12 - Marta in the Crosshairs

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The following morning, Victor sat in the sunroom, drinking black coffee and reading a financial newspaper. From the corner of his eye, he watched the hallway leading to the kitchen. He was waiting for the morning routine.
At 8:00 AM, Marta walked down the hall, pushing her wooden cleaning cart. She looked exhausted, the stress of the secret war taking a heavy toll on her posture.
Before Marta could reach the stairs, Audrey stepped out of the kitchen, blocking her path. Audrey was wearing a silk morning gown, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her face was a mask of cold, arrogant authority.
“Marta,” Audrey snapped, her voice carrying clearly into the sunroom.
Marta stopped, gripping the handle of her cart. “Yes, Miss Audrey?”
“I noticed you were in Sylvia’s room late yesterday afternoon while I was downstairs,” Audrey said, her tone dripping with suspicion. “I explicitly told the staff that nobody enters that room without my permission. She is in a fragile state.”
“I was only collecting the dirty linens, Miss Audrey,” Marta replied, keeping her head bowed, playing the role of the subservient maid perfectly.
“You linger, Marta,” Audrey hissed, taking a step closer to the terrified housekeeper. “You linger, and you watch things that do not concern you. If I catch you in that room alone again, I won't just fire you. I will have my father call immigration and have you deported so fast your head will spin.”
Victor slowly lowered his newspaper. The threat was real. Audrey was getting paranoid. She knew the poison should have worked by now, and she was desperately looking for a reason why Sylvia was still clinging to life.
“Is there a problem out here, Audrey?” Victor asked, stepping out of the sunroom, his deep voice interrupting the confrontation.
Audrey spun around, her cruel expression instantly melting into a sweet, apologetic smile. “No problem, darling. Just reminding the staff of the new privacy rules regarding your mother’s care. Marta was just leaving.”
Marta looked at Victor, a silent plea for help flashing in her eyes before she bowed her head and pushed her cart quickly down the hallway.
Victor walked over to Audrey and kissed her forehead. “Don't be too hard on the help, sweetheart. They’re just trying to do their jobs. Speaking of my mother, I think it’s time I finally go up and say hello.”
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Audrey swallowed hard. “Victor, I really don't think—”
“I’m going up, Audrey,” Victor said, leaving no room for argument. He walked past her and climbed the grand staircase.