CHAPTER 6: The Bracelet in Celeste’s Drawer
Celeste’s accusation collapsed faster than she expected.
Adrian did not shout at first. That frightened her more than rage would have. Rage could be answered with tears, denial, a trembling hand over the heart. Silence required truth.
He called the head of household staff, Mrs. Delaney, into the salon. The older woman entered cautiously, saw Naomi on the floor, and pressed a hand to her mouth.
“Who searched Naomi’s room?” Adrian asked.
Mrs. Delaney glanced at Celeste.
“No one officially, sir.”
“Unofficially?”
Celeste snapped, “This is ridiculous.”
Adrian did not move his eyes from Mrs. Delaney.
The housekeeper trembled. “Mrs. Blackwood asked me to open the staff quarters at six this morning. She said she needed privacy.”
Celeste laughed once, too sharply. “I was checking inventory.”
Adrian held out his hand. “Keys.”
Mrs. Delaney handed him the ring.
Celeste took one step back.
Adrian noticed.
He walked past her, through the corridor, into the private dressing room attached to Celeste’s bedroom. Naomi could not stand, so Mrs. Delaney helped her sit on the sofa. Ten silent minutes passed.
Then Adrian returned holding a velvet jewelry case.
Celeste’s face hardened.
He opened it.
Inside lay the diamond bracelet Celeste had claimed Naomi stole.
The clasp was polished. The stones were clean. It had never been near Naomi’s room.
Adrian placed it on the coffee table beside the unsigned confession.
Mrs. Delaney whispered, “Dear God.”
Celeste’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
Adrian picked up the confession and read it line by line. With each sentence, his expression grew colder. He looked at the clauses surrendering employment claims, medical claims, identity claims, and any relationship to the Blackwood family.
Then he saw the final line.
No claim of pregnancy against Adrian Blackwood.
His hand shook once.
May you like
When he looked up, his voice was barely above a whisper.
“What did you do?”
