Daniel pushed past her into the office. He knew every inch of this house. Within ten minutes, he found the false bottom in her desk drawer.
Inside was a small wooden box with a golden lock.
He opened it.
The Aldridge Ruby gleamed in the lamplight. Beside it were three other pieces: a bracelet, a ring, and a brooch. All heirlooms. All supposedly “lost” over the years.
Different maids. Different accusations. Same lies.
Daniel sank into the chair. “My God. How many people have you destroyed?”
Eleanor stood in the doorway. “Only those who got too close.”
He called the police.
The next day, the courtroom was chaos.
Sophie presented the box, the jewels, the evidence. Daniel testified about finding it all in his mother’s desk.
Three former employees came forward. All had been accused of theft by Eleanor. All fired without severance. One had served sixty days in jail.
The judge looked at Eleanor with disgust. “Mrs. Aldridge, you’ve wasted this court’s time and destroyed innocent lives.”
Eleanor said nothing.
“Miss Morales, all charges are dropped. You’re free to go.”
Lucia couldn’t breathe. Sophie grabbed her hand.
Noah broke away from his nanny and ran across the courtroom. “Lucia!”