Chapter 3 - The Missing Earring
Two days passed without incident, but the tension in the estate was suffocating.
Sarah watched Victoria's every move like a hawk.
On Wednesday afternoon, Victoria burst into Ethan's home office, crying hysterically.
Sarah was dusting the hallway when she heard the commotion.
"It was my grandmother's!" Victoria wailed loudly enough for the whole house to hear.
Ethan emerged from his office, looking alarmed.
"We will find it, Victoria. Calm down," Ethan reassured her.
"What is missing?" Sarah asked, stepping into the doorway.
Victoria glared at her with red-rimmed eyes.
"My diamond drop earring," Victoria accused. "I left it on my vanity this morning, and now it's gone."
"Are you sure you didn't misplace it?" Ethan asked softly.
"I know exactly where I left it!" Victoria snapped. "Someone took it."
She slowly turned her gaze toward Sarah.
"And she's the only one who cleans the master suite," Victoria added.
Ethan's face fell.
"Victoria, you can't be suggesting..."
"I want her room searched!" Victoria demanded, stamping her foot.
Sarah felt the blood drain from her face.
"You can search my room all you want," Sarah said confidently. "I didn't take anything."
Ethan looked deeply uncomfortable, but Victoria was practically throwing a tantrum.
"Fine," Ethan sighed. "Let's just look so we can clear this up."
The three of them walked down the hall to the small, neat servant's quarters.
Sarah opened the door, gesturing for them to enter.
Victoria marched straight to Sarah's small wooden dresser.
She pulled open the top drawer, rummaging through Sarah's modest clothing.
Suddenly, Victoria gasped, pulling her hand out.
Dangling from her manicured fingers was a glittering diamond earring.
"I knew it!" Victoria shrieked triumphantly.
Ethan stared at the jewelry, utterly speechless.
Sarah's heart dropped into her stomach.
"I... I didn't put that there," Sarah stammered, stepping back.
"You thief!" Victoria yelled. "First you attack me, now you steal from me!"
Ethan looked at Sarah, his expression unreadable.
"Ethan, you have to fire her immediately!" Victoria demanded.
"Mr. Sterling, you know me," Sarah pleaded. "She planted it there! She's trying to get rid of me!"
Ethan slowly took the earring from Victoria's hand.
He looked closely at the diamond, then back at Sarah's panicked face.
"I'll handle this, Victoria," Ethan said quietly. "Go wait in the drawing room."
May you like
Victoria huffed, clearly annoyed that Sarah wasn't being dragged out by her hair, but she complied.
Once the door clicked shut, Ethan turned to Sarah.
