?<strong>Chapter 401:</strong>


    Without saying anything further, she stepped out of the car, opened the door, and extended her hand. Her voice was steady andmanding. “Hand it over.”


    Willow’s gaze flickered nervously, and she took several steps back. “Mrs. Norris, it’s only some spoiled seafood. There’s no need to trouble yourself over it.”


    “When has the Norris family ever stooped to using spoiled seafood in our meals? Drop the bag right here. I’ll make sure the supplieres over immediately to give us a proper exnation,” Carrie said firmly.


    Kristopher, having stepped silently out of the car, now stood behind her, his presence intensifying the tension. Together, theirmanding presence made the situation feel unbearably heavy.


    Lowering her head, Willow refused to meet their eyes. “It didn’te from the Norris family. It’s my mistake—I bought it on my own because it was affordable.” Willow tried to slip away, but Oliver moved swiftly, stepping in front of her to block her escape.


    “You were warned when you started working here,” Oliver said sharply. “No outside ingredients are allowed without approval. Everything in this house is sourced specifically by the Norris family.”


    With quick reflexes, he snatched the stic bag from her hands before she could react. He opened the bag and carefully inspected its contents. After a moment, he passed it to Carrie and Kristopher. “It’s just some health supplements,” he noted.


    Carrie peered into the bag and frowned. ncing up at Kristopher, she asked, “Isn’t this the supplement your mom gave me?”


    “It is,” Kristopher confirmed, his gaze turning icy as he stared at Willow. “You might want to start talking.”


    “If you won’t exin yourself, fine,” Oliver added, his tone dripping with menace. “I’ll report you for theft. Do you realize how much these are worth? Enough tond you in prison for years.”


    The threat drained all the fight out of Willow.


    She copsed to her knees, resorting to her familiar act of pleading for pity. “Please, Mrs. Norris,” Willow begged, tears streaming down her face. “My son just got engaged, and I’m hoping for a grandchild soon. There was so much of the supplement—I thought you wouldn’t notice if I took some for him.”


    Carrie’s face hardened with disbelief. “You’ve been working here for a long time, and while I may not treat you like family, I’ve never been unfair. I’ve let you take the leftover ingredients withoutint. Why steal something you could have just asked for?”


    Willow wailed loudly, though no tears came. “It was greed. I couldn’t help myself!”


    Carrie, clearly done with the discussion, waved her hand dismissively. “Enough. Let’s not drag this out.”


    “Thank you, Mrs. Norris…” Willow began hesitantly. But before she could finish, Carrie turned sharply to Oliver. “Oliver, calcte her final wages and arrange a car. She’s leaving Bayview Vi today.”


    The blood drained from Willow’s face as she realized Carrie wasn’t bluffing—her decision was final. In desperation, she turned to Kristopher, hoping for sympathy. “Mr. Norris… I’ve been here for years. Even if I’ve faltered, I’ve worked hard. I’ll give up this month’s wages to pay for the health supplement.”


    Working as a housekeeper for the Norris family paid as much as a mid-level manager at arge firm, and their rules were far more lenient than other affluent households. On top of that, she had been earning a substantial side ie from Lise. Losing this position would be disastrous. She couldn’t possibly cover her family’s towering mortgage or her son’s mounting gambling debts.


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