---- Mrs.


    Prescotts face twisted into sheer panic.


    "Francis, thats the first thing you should have told me!" she yelled, clutching her head.


    "If that butler put the pieces together, we''re ruined!" Francis tried to calm her, but the words stuck in his throat.


    "Mother, rx.


    That woman has no credibility.


    No one will listen to her..." "Dont you get it? The Duke is not an idiot! And the Duchess..


    something has changed in her.


    You saw it yourself!" she snapped furiously.


    Besides, you shouldnt have left your sister behind in such a dangerous ce! Oh, for heavens sake!" she eximed, feeling her blood pressure skyrocket.


    The general stayed with her" "No, no!" she screamed, overwhelmed with worry.


    "Why didnt the Duke return in the carriage? Where is he? Have you even stopped to think that asmander of the border guard, youll be the first suspect?" Francis had thought about it, but he believed Duke Thesio and his brother-inw would clean up this mess.


    "Do you...


    do you think they''ll arrest Alexia? If the Duke sees her, he''ll know shes the biggest traitor," they stared at each other, wide-eyed with terror.


    Never had they imagined that their carefully orchestrated actions ---- would lead to this.


    "We need to escape, take the secret route.


    Lets go, before the Duke arrives," Francis rushed to gather the housekeepers valuables.


    But what about your sister? You have to go back and save her"" Are you insane?! How do you expect me to go back there, into the most dangerous ce right now?!" "But your sister, your sister...!" she kept repeating like a broken record, on the verge of tears, gripping his arm in desperation.


    They had to find a way to warn Alexia to get to safety.


    suddenly, in the middle of their frantic argument...


    Knock, knock, knock.


    They froze in silence.


    Mrs.


    Prescott turned toward the door, horror etched on her face.


    Had theye to arrest her already? "Mrs.


    Prescott, are you there? I need to ask you some questions about the ledger," came the voice of that old maid the Duchess had brought from the countryside.


    The current nanny of Lavinia...


    Thats it! Lavinia.


    One daughter for another.


    A bargaining chip, in case Alexia was taken "Hide in the bathroom and wait for my signal," she whispered hurriedly, her mind working fast on an improvised n.


    ---- Erancis grabbed the heavy ceramic figurine from the mantel and concealed himself behind the partially open bathroom door, waiting for his moment to strike.


    Mrs.


    Prescott smoothed down her skirt, straightened her posture, and tried to regain herposure.


    Only the slight tremor in her fingers as she touched the doorknob betrayed her true state of mind.


    "Come in, lets discuss your concerns here," she invited the old woman, who stepped inside, trusting, unaware that she had just entered their of a viper.


    The housekeeper peeked into the hallway, ensuring no one else was around before quietly closing and locking the door behind her.


    With no witnesses, a crime scene was about to unfold.