Chapter 2 - The Office Confrontation
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Richard Caldwell’s home office was located at the end of the east wing, guarded by heavy oak doors that usually remained shut. When Madison burst through them, she didn't bother to knock.
“She grabbed me!” Madison shouted, pacing in front of her father’s massive desk. “The new maid. She physically grabbed my wrist, Dad. I want her gone. I want her blacklisted from every staffing agency in Dallas.”
Richard set his reading glasses on top of his quarterly financial reports. He leaned back in his leather chair, steepling his fingers. He did not look angry. He looked profoundly exhausted.
“Why did she grab your wrist, Madison?” Richard asked quietly.
Madison stopped pacing, crossing her arms over her silk blouse. “Because she’s completely unprofessional. She moved my things without asking, and when I confronted her, she got aggressive.”
“I highly doubt a woman who relies on my paycheck decided to assault you without provocation,” Richard said, his voice dropping into a low, authoritative register. “So I will ask you again. What did you do to make her grab your wrist?”
“She was talking back to me!” Madison snapped, her cheeks flushing an angry, defensive red. “She was completely out of line. I was just trying to put her in her place.”
“By hitting her.”
It wasn't a question. Richard knew his daughter’s temper perfectly well.
“I didn't hit her,” Madison argued quickly. “She caught my hand before I could.”
Richard closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Madison, you are twenty-seven years old. You are not a toddler throwing a tantrum in a sandbox. You cannot strike the people who work for us.”
“They are here to serve us!”
“They are here to do a job, not to absorb your misery,” Richard corrected sharply. He picked up his desk phone and hit a single button. “Margaret. Send the new housekeeper, Nora, into my office. Immediately.”
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“Dad, what are you doing?” Madison demanded, panic flickering in her eyes. “You’re supposed to fire her!”
“I am going to hear her side of the story,” Richard said, looking at his daughter with a heavy, disappointed gaze. “Because if what you just told me is true, I’m not sure she’s the one who needs to be removed from this house.”
