---- 376.


    WE HAVE THE BARGAINING CHIP NARRATOR Erom the moment Freya stepped into the housekeepers room, she felt a pang of regretbut it was toote now.


    "sit down, please, sit here," Mrs.


    Prescott invited her politely, gesturing toward the armchair by the firececonveniently with its back to the bathroom.


    "Tell me, how can I help you?" she asked, standing in front of the old woman, pressing her hands together to hide their trembling.


    Well, you submitted the ount ledger, and the Duchess instructed me to review "You? But youre a nannywhat would you know about ounting? I mean..." The housekeeper caught herself, realizing her rudeness.


    Now that she saw the massive book in the old womans hands, she remembered another important detailone that also incriminated her.


    "Yes, Im a nanny, but I was also the administrator of a household for decades.


    Not as grand as this castle, but there are some very obvious basics," Freyas tone hardened.


    This was precisely why she should have waited for Katherinebut she was insulted by how this thief was trying to pull a fast one on her, right to her face.


    "For example, look at these numbers f all the silverware was ---- recedst year, why did you make the same expense this year? Ereya stood, pointing at the data in the enormous ledger barely fitting in her hands.


    "There were many celebrations.


    The materials were damaged..." "Yet, ording to the event summary, there were only two discreet gatherings hosted by the Duke for a few ambassadors," Freya flipped to the notes at the back.


    She kept pulling out more discrepanciesdiverted funds, missing ounts, little fingers dipping into money here and there.


    It was obvious Mrs.


    Prescott had no justification for most of it.


    "What happened to the maids bonuses? I asked around, and you barely distributed half of whats recorded here" "Oh, enough!" Mrs.


    Prescott exploded,pletely losing herposure.


    "Why do I have to justify myself to some pathetic old nanny?!" She shouted in clear fury.


    Even the butler never questioned her so much.


    Too busy with the Duchys political affairs, he had entrusted her with full control over the household.


    Mrs.


    Prescott had assumed all her little thefts would remain buried under the Duchesss inexperience.


    You wanted to frame Her Ladyship for your thefts!" Freya exposed herpletely.


    She gripped the heavy ledger with ragethis woman was more ---- venomous than a snake.