Two police officers stopped in their tracks, beads of cold sweat gathering on their brows.


    Why was there trouble again? All they wanted now was to get out of here as quickly as possible. Tangling with the wealthy elite was never a good idea, and these people were all far beyond their pay grade.


    But then there was Lizetta, standing at Remington''s side, with his arm draped protectively around her waist-clearly another person they couldn''t afford to cross.


    The officers straightened up, adopting their most respectful manner.


    "Ma''am, can you tell us what you''re reporting?"


    Lizetta held Ron close in her arms, her gaze icy as she swept her eyes over to Anna.


    Anna''s face went instantly pale. She ducked her head, fidgeting nervously with her hands.


    Seeing Anna''s guilty expression only fueled Lizetta''s anger.


    She pointed squarely at Anna and Ste. “I''m reporting them for long-term child abuse."


    Anna''s head snapped up. "That''s not true! Ms. Gardenia, you can''t just throw usations around like that!"


    Turning to Ste, she pleaded, “Ma''am, you know I''ve always done my utmost for young Ron. You''ve seen it yourself. And now Ms. Gardenia is saying that you, of all people, would mistreat Mr. Ron? That''s outrageous! You''re Mr. Ron''s closest aunt; you''ve cared for him as if he were your own son. We servants can all vouch for it. Ms. Gardenia, you can''t just get upset and call the police because Ma''am was worried about the boy-then turn around and nder her! If anyone''s making a false report here, it''s you."


    Anna''s voice grew louder, ringing with the tone of a wronged loyalist defending her employer.


    But all of it was just a smokescreen for her own anxiety. During her time as a nanny for the West family, she''d learned Ste had a vicious temper and was quick tosh


    out.


    Especiallytely-after Ste had broken a rib and been confined at home for weeks, her mood had grown worse by the day.


    Ron, frail since birth, cried often, and every time he wailed, Ste would lose her temper.


    Anna, after being yelled at or pped, would take out her frustration on Ron instead.


    She always made sure to cover the boy''s mouth with a towel or something soft to muffle his cries when she pinched or hit him At first, she''d worried someone would find out


    But soon enough, she realized Ste''s concern for Ron was only skin-deep. In truth, she barely cared about the child at all.


    So Anna grew bolder, focusing all her efforts on pleasing Ste, not caring for the


    boy.


    Earlier, when she saw Lizetta


    unbutton Ron''s shirt, Anna knew she


    was in trouble. She was already


    prepping her defense, ying the


    innocent even turning the


    usation around.


    Ste''s eyes grew red-rimmed. "Liz, what are you talking about? Ron is the West


    family''s only heir. Why would I ever mistreat him, let alone with the nanny?"


    She swayed on her feet, visibly humiliated.


    Lizetta clutched Ron tighter, letting out a coldugh.


    "Did I say you were abusing Ron specifically? Funny how you both can''t wait to defend yourselves—makes you look even guiltier, don''t you think?"


    Ste and Anna both froze, their faces stiffening.


    Ste frowned, voice brittle. "Liz, there''s only one child here-Ron. If you''re using us of abusing a baby, of course we''d think you meant him.”


    Anna nodded quickly, tears streaming down her face.


    "Ms. Gardenia, you really can''t use us like this. I''ve cared for Mr.


    Ron since


    he was born. He was


    premature, with a weak heart. If not for my dedication, he wouldn''t have grown so well. M. Bon adores men don''t you, sweetheart?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!