Chapter 11 - The Cluttered Apartment|
"I am a member of the sanitation staff, Mrs. Whitmore," Hannah said, straightening her spine and standing her ground despite the trembling in her hands.
Eleanor walked slowly toward her, the heels of her designer boots clicking sharply against the linoleum floor. "My son has spent four years refusing to speak to his family, Miss Mercer. Yet I discover he spent his Christmas afternoon escorting a custodian around the historic district. I suggest you remember your place in this company."
"Mother. That is enough."
Ethan’s voice echoed from the doorway. He stood in the frame, his face dark with suppressed fury.
Eleanor turned slowly, her expression smoothing into practiced composure. "Ethan. I was merely introducing myself to your new acquaintance."
"Miss Mercer is an employee executing her duties," Ethan said coldly, walking into the room and standing directly beside Hannah. "And your presence on the operational floors without board notification violates company protocol. Leave us."
Eleanor glared at her son for a long, tense moment before turning on her heel and sweeping out of the breakroom without another word.
That evening at seven o'clock, snow began to fall heavily over North Knoxville again.
Hannah was sitting on her worn couch, wrapping Ellie in an extra wool blanket because the radiator in her apartment was clanking loudly and producing very little heat. A sharp, rhythmic knock sounded at her front door.
Hannah checked through the peephole, her heart leaping into her throat.
She pulled the door open. Ethan Whitmore stood in the dim, narrow hallway of her apartment building, wearing a heavy black wool overcoat dusted with fresh snow. He held a thick paper folder in one hand and a small brown box in the other.
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"Mr. Whitmore?" Hannah gasped, holding Ellie tight. "What are you doing here? How did you find where I live?"
"Your address was in your HR file," Ethan said, his eyes scanning the narrow, cold hallway before looking past her into the tiny, dimly lit apartment. He noticed the clanking radiator instantly, his brow furrowing. "Can I come in for a moment?"
