Chapter 17 - The Accusation
The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the empty wing, a violent end to the suffocating silence.
Maria didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second. Ignoring the sharp shards covering the floor, the maid rushed forward, throwing her arms around the trembling boy and pulling him tightly against her chest. Leo buried his face in her uniform, sobbing uncontrollably as the sheer relief of his rescue washed over him.
Adrian carefully stepped over the ruined doorframe, his expensive dress shoes crunching on the glass. He knelt down beside Leo, placing a large, comforting hand on the boy's shaking shoulder.
"You're safe now," Adrian said, his voice a low, steady rumble of absolute protection. "Nobody is going to hurt you."
Leo gasped for breath, his small chest heaving as he pulled away from Maria’s embrace. He wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his dirty sleeve. He didn't look at Adrian. He turned his head and pointed a trembling, accusatory finger directly at Claudia, who was standing frozen in the hallway, her white dress surrounded by broken glass.
"She locked me in!" Leo yelled, his voice echoing loudly in the open corridor. "She grabbed me and dragged me in there because I heard her! I heard what she said on the phone!"
May you like
Claudia’s face drained of all color. She took a step backward, raising her hands in a defensive, panicked gesture.
"He's lying! Adrian, listen to me, the boy is a pathological liar! He's just making up stories to avoid getting in trouble for trespassing!" Claudia shrieked, her carefully cultivated angelic persona completely disintegrating into an ugly, desperate panic.
