Chapter 6 - Two Truths in One House
The consultant, Reed Halpern, had spent twenty years mediating labor disputes before wealthy families began hiring him to explain why their “informal arrangements” violated basic law. He interviewed staff in the breakfast room while the mansion seemed to hold its breath. Beth called from her sister's condo and spoke about loyalty, sacrifice, and how quickly I had abandoned the woman who raised Daniel beside me. She never once mentioned the unpaid hours. On Wednesday, Owen admitted Vanessa had snapped at him in front of caterers. Then he described how she drove him to urgent care after a nail tore through his palm because Beth told him the tent must be finished before he left. Laurel said Vanessa could be vain, sharp, and humiliating, yet she was also the only person who noticed Laurel's check was short after a rain-soaked gala. No one defended that bucket. But no one gave Beth the spotless loyalty I expected either. Daniel slept in the carriage cottage and came in only for clothes. When Reed asked why he had instructed staff to send payroll questions to him, Daniel said Beth was overwhelmed. Reed asked when he had learned that. Daniel stared at the table. That evening, Laurel placed the untouched cinnamon toast from the sunroom into the trash. “Mrs. Whitmore,” she said gently, “sometimes people stay quiet because telling you means telling him too.” I knew she meant Daniel. What I didn't know was why everyone seemed to be protecting him from me. That answer scared me the most.
