Chapter 9 - The Maid They Tried to Turn Into a Criminal|
I had never imagined seeing my name in a legal document.
Especially not one suggesting I was exploiting an elderly woman.
But there it was.
Emma Collins.
Twenty-four years old.
Domestic employee.
Accused of influencing Teresa Moretti for personal gain.
My hands went numb.
Arthur Whitcomb read the allegations aloud.
The petition claimed Teresa had become dependent on me.
That I had interfered with her medical care.
That I'd encouraged her to distrust Isabella.
And that I might be attempting to gain access to the family's money.
I stared at the pages.
“This is insane.”
Luca's expression darkened.
“Who signed it?”
Arthur looked down.
“Isabella Bellini submitted a supporting declaration. The petition was filed by Silas Grant on behalf of the proposed guardian.”
“Who's the proposed guardian?” Luca asked.
Arthur hesitated.
“Isabella.”
Teresa slammed her hand against the table.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
She was trembling with anger.
“No. Absolutely not.”
I had never heard her speak so forcefully.
She rose slowly from her chair.
“I want a lawyer in that courtroom. I want my own doctor. And I want them to understand that Emma has never asked me for a penny.”
Arthur nodded.
“That's exactly how we'll respond.”
But I couldn't stop staring at the page.
They had turned my kindness into something ugly.
Every conversation.
Every cup of tea.
Every time I helped Teresa stand.
Now Isabella was trying to make those moments look suspicious.
I stepped backward.
“I should leave.”
Teresa turned sharply.
“What?”
I swallowed.
“Maybe if I leave, they won't be able to use me against you.”
Her expression softened.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
I looked down.
“I don't want to make things worse.”
Luca approached.
“Emma, look at me.”
I raised my eyes.
“You haven't done anything wrong.”
“They're saying I manipulated your mother.”
“They're saying that because they need someone to blame.”
I started crying.
“My dad can't afford a lawyer.”
Luca's expression changed.
“Then you need independent legal advice, and we'll make sure you can access it without anyone controlling your decisions.”
I shook my head.
“I don't want your money.”
“I know.”
He paused.
“That's one of the reasons these accusations are ridiculous.”
Teresa reached for my hand.
“You are not leaving because someone invented a lie about you.”
I looked at her.
“But—”
“No.”
Her voice was firm.
“You have helped me more than anyone in this house.”
She squeezed my fingers.
“And I will say that under oath if I have to.”
The hearing was scheduled for the following morning.
Arthur explained that the court would consider whether any emergency intervention was justified.
He arranged for Teresa to be independently evaluated and advised her about responding through counsel.
I was instructed to preserve my messages and cooperate honestly.
That evening, Detective Harris returned with surprising news.
Investigators had identified the man who photographed my father.
His name was Nolan Price.
He worked for a private investigation agency.
The agency had been hired through a company connected to Victor Bellini.
When questioned, Nolan admitted photographing my father's apartment.
He claimed he'd been told to gather information about my financial situation.
But when confronted with the threatening audio recording, he requested an attorney.
My stomach tightened.
“Was he the person who threatened Dad?”
Harris nodded carefully.
“The available evidence suggests he was involved, but we're still establishing who instructed him to send the threats.”
Luca looked furious.
“And the prescription?”
Harris opened another folder.
“Dr. Pierce's practice provided records. There are discrepancies between the stated reason for the medication and Teresa's actual treatment history.”
“Meaning?” Luca asked.
“Meaning we're investigating whether the prescription was obtained through false information.”
Teresa closed her eyes.
I squeezed her hand.
Then Harris said something else.
“We also reviewed the mansion's security footage from the night the unknown man entered Teresa's bedroom.”
“Did you identify him?” Luca asked.
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Dr. Malcolm Pierce.”
Luca stared.
The doctor connected to Isabella's father had entered Teresa's bedroom late at night.
The same evening she became unusually sleepy.
And the same evening she vaguely remembered being pressured to sign documents.
Harris continued.
“We've requested the original medical records and relevant communications. We'll also seek a statement from Pierce.”
Luca stood.
“Then he's involved.”
“We have reasons to investigate him,” Harris replied. “We'll determine exactly what he did.”
I looked at Teresa.
She was staring at her hands.
For a moment, I wondered whether she felt defeated.
Then she looked up.
“Detective?”
“Yes, ma'am?”
“Will they ask me questions tomorrow?”
“At the hearing? Very likely.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
Everyone fell silent.
Then Teresa said something that made my heart swell.
“Because I've had eighty years to learn how to speak for myself.”
The next morning, we arrived at the courthouse shortly before nine.
Reporters waited outside.
The case had attracted attention because of the Moretti family's wealth and reputation.
Flashbulbs went off as Luca helped his mother from the car.
I followed a few steps behind.
Then I saw Isabella.
She stood on the courthouse steps wearing a pale suit.
Her hair was perfectly styled.
Her expression was solemn.
She looked like a devoted woman trying to protect an elderly relative.
When she noticed me, she smiled.
Then leaned close enough that only I could hear.
“You should have taken the money, Emma.”
I felt cold all over.
But before I could answer, Teresa appeared beside me.
She looked directly at Isabella.
Then said, “And you should have left my dinner on the table.”
Isabella's smile vanished.
May you like
Teresa lifted her chin.
“Now move. I have a judge to speak to.”
