[Isolde]
I had no idea what had kept the rest of the family away for days, but we were finally informed of their return two days beforehand.
The estate was busy with preparations—staff cleaning and polishing every surface, Dr. Monet organising the infirmary inventory, everyone suddenly working twice as hard under the anticipation of impending scrutiny.
Harlan approached me the day prior, his expression carefully neutral as he asked to have a word.
I'd learned from experience that such private confrontations rarely meant well for me. Regardless, I still didn't have the power or authority to say no to the head butler who oversaw all the household staff. Harlan's authority was second only to the family themselves, and his word was trusted implicitly.
A few days ago, Phoebe had demanded I
