Outside, the butler trembled as dread set in. He had just returned from his errand, intending to ask about dinner plans, only to stumble upon a conversation he was never meant to hear. He had recorded everything Erica and Lydia had said on his phone. But he was too scared and clumsy because of fear.
When he tried to sneak away, his foot caught the edge of an indoor plant's pot, sending it skidding across the floor with a noisy scrape. Worse, his phone slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor with a clatter.
Heart racing, he grabbed the phone and made a desperate attempt to flee, but the door creaked open before he could take more than a step. Lydia and Erica emerged, their expressions dark and piercing. His breath caught, and his skin turned ashen.
Lydia's sharp gaze locked on him, narrowing with suspicion. She tilted her head slightly as she inspected him. "What were you doing here?" she asked calculatedly, taking a step toward him.