Twelve Nights with the Ruthless Billionaire: His Christmas Captive

Ten

Lisa POV

I hurried through the front doors of the estate and took the stairs two at a time. At the second staircase, I stopped.

Omarion stood near the table with Zara beside him. Patricia stood a few paces behind them, holding a tray with a smug grin.

"Where have you been, Miss Bennett?" His voice cut through the hall.

"I was out taking care of a personal errand," I said, trying to catch my breath.

"Your contract states that you don't leave this property during working hours without my permission," Omarion said. "Zara's therapist arrived at two o'clock for your scheduled introduction and observation session. She waited two hours before leaving."

A knot formed in my stomach.

I looked at Patricia. She smoothed her apron and looked away, hiding her smirk.

"I was told Zara had an outside appointment at one," I said.

"I don't care what you thought," Omarion interrupted. His tone was cold. "You're hired to care for my daughter. You don't disappear. If you break protocol again, we'll end your contract."

I flinched, wanting to tell him Patricia had lied to me, but I stopped myself. Arguing wouldn't change anything. He was angry, and accusing Patricia now would only make me look defensive.

"I apologize, Mr. Montgomery," I said. "It was my mistake. It won't happen again."

Omarion walked down the hall toward his office. Patricia laughed and walked away.

Zara watched me, clutching her toy dinosaur. After her father disappeared from view, she stepped closer and grabbed the edge of my sweater.

"Can I come to your room?" she asked.

"Of course," I said.

We walked into my room, and I set my bag on the chair. I sat cross-legged across from her and pulled a box of markers and paper from my drawer.

Zara pressed her lips together and pushed the dinosaur into the rug. "Dr. Evans talked too much. And Patricia kept standing over me."

I smiled.

It was clear Zara was overwhelmed but didn't know how to identify specific emotions, which made it hard for her to express what was wrong instead of defaulting to anger or words like hate.

"In our space, we talk through big feelings so they don't build up inside," I said, drawing a dinosaur outline on a sheet of paper. "Let's ask your T-Rex how he felt today. When the doctor came, was he angry, or was he scared?"

Zara stopped pushing the toy into the carpet. She looked at the green T-Rex in her hand.

"He was scared. The doctor asked too many questions."

"That makes sense," I said, handing her a green crayon. "And how did the T-Rex feel about Patricia standing over you?"

"He felt annoyed," Zara muttered, coloring inside the lines I'd drawn. "She always bosses him around and talks too loud."

"Annoyed is a good word," I said. "Now we know what the T-Rex needs to feel better."

Later that evening, the staff gathered in the staff dining room for dinner. We sat down to eat, and Patricia waited until everyone was seated before speaking, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Some people think taking care of a child is a vacation," Patricia said, staring at me. "Walking out of the house in the middle of the day while getting paid a fortune. It's lazy. Rules mean nothing to some people."

The other staff members stayed quiet, eating their food.

I set my spoon down and looked Patricia in the eye. "I'm not lazy, Patricia. And you know why I left the house today."

"Oh, so now you're blaming me?" she scoffed. "You're responsible for your own schedule. You ignore house rules, then blame others."

"It's not my fault that Zara pushes you away in favor of me," I said, keeping my voice steady so everyone could hear. "You gave me the wrong time this morning because you wanted me to fail. But turning Zara against you was your own doing, not mine."

Patricia's face reddened. She slammed her fork onto her plate.

"You think you're so smart because you have a teaching background! You're unfit for this job, and I'll make sure Mr. Montgomery sees it!"

"You can try," I said, picking up my spoon. "But lying about schedules only proves you're desperate."

Patricia pushed away from the table without finishing her meal and walked out of the kitchen. I finished my dinner in silence, knowing her jealousy would only get worse.

---

I was taking off a face mask when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I picked it up and saw a message from Omarion.

Dr. Evans will return tomorrow at ten for the missed session, the text read.

I typed out a quick response.

Understood, sir. I apologize again for the mix-up today. I look forward to meeting her.

A minute later, another text popped up from Omarion.

You may have a life outside this house or a boyfriend you need to see, Miss Bennett. This estate isn't a prison, but while you're under contract, you must make sure Zara is covered before you step out the door.

My skin flushed as I read his words. I quickly replied.

I understand completely, Mr. Montgomery. It won't happen again.

He didn't send another message.

The next morning at ten, Dr. Evans arrived at the West Wing. She seemed nice enough.

"So you're the famous Miss Bennett," Dr. Evans said, offering a smile as we sat in the sitting room. "It's wonderful to finally meet Zara's favorite teacher in person."

"It's nice to meet you too," I said.

"I always review the weekly notes you send through the school portal," Dr. Evans said, opening a binder on her lap. "Your reports show consistent engagement. What's your approach with her?"

"I don't quiz her or push her to explain her feelings," I replied. "When she speaks, I listen without treating her words like some major breakthrough. I let her set the pace of our contact."

Dr. Evans nodded and jotted down a few lines on her notepad. "That aligns with what I've been trying to establish."

Before she could continue, the door opened, and Patricia stepped into the room carrying a tray of water glasses. She set it on the coffee table and looked at Dr. Evans with a smile.

"Don't take those school notes too seriously, Doctor," Patricia said. "Miss Bennett exaggerates small moments in her entries to make herself look talented to Mr. Montgomery."

I turned to Patricia.

"Can you please excuse us?" I snapped.

Dr. Evans was startled by my sharp tone.

Patricia turned to the therapist. "See what I was telling you earlier, Dr. Evans? She acts sweet when Mr. Montgomery is around, but completely different behind closed doors."

I looked at Dr. Evans and kept my tone firm. "I've told Patricia repeatedly that I'm only here on a twelve-day contract. I'm not trying to steal her job or take her place, but she continues to act like a child."

Dr. Evans looked between us, trying to avoid getting caught in the middle of the feud.

"Well," Dr. Evans said, clearing her throat as she adjusted her jacket. "As I mentioned earlier, Patricia, Zara forming a healthy attachment to Miss Bennett is a good thing. It shows that she can trust an educator, which supports her development. Working together without hostility is what's best for the child."

Patricia turned and walked away, whistling.

I sat back on the sofa, my heart still racing. Patricia had a sweet mouth when talking to outsiders, and she was skilled at twisting the truth to damage my reputation.

As Dr. Evans turned back to her notepad, I made a decision. The next time Patricia tried to lie or sabotage my work, I'd pull out my phone and record her.

Exposing her behavior might cost Patricia her job, but if the situation were reversed, I knew she wouldn't hesitate to destroy mine.

Later that afternoon, I sat in a corner of the staff lounge, tapping away at a brick-building game on my phone to look busy. Zara was resting, and I needed time to clear my head.

Mrs. Chen and Patricia walked into the nearby pantry, sorting through boxes. They weren't shouting, but they weren't whispering either.

"I still can't believe Lady Montgomery is pushing for the end-of-year party to happen right here in this house next week," Patricia said. "It hasn't even been a year."

Mrs. Chen sighed. "It's what the family wants, Patricia."

"It's what she wants," Patricia corrected. "Instead of a quiet remembrance for Eliana, we're hosting a party. The same people who stood by her grave last year will be in this dining hall, eating, drinking, and making merry as if nothing happened. Taking a break from partying and feasting won't kill them or ruin anything."

I kept my fingers moving on the screen, but my attention locked onto their conversation. Hearing Patricia speak with pain in her voice caught me off guard. She was usually sour and hostile, but now she sounded protective.

It dawned on me that Patricia had probably loved Eliana. Her hatred toward me wasn't just professional jealousy. It was her way of guarding the space Eliana had left behind.

"I don't get involved in family business," Mrs. Chen replied in her usual calm manner. "I'm here to do my job and get paid."

She paused before adding in a lower tone, "Though I do wish Lady Montgomery wouldn't stay too long once she arrives."

Patricia mimicked a high, grating voice. "Everything must look pristine for the board! We have an image to maintain!"

Mrs. Chen chuckled and Patricia laughed.

"Poor Eliana. That woman made her life such a living hell that she simply found living too tiring in the end."

The words echoed in my head.

Found living too tiring?

Did Eliana take her own life?

It explained why there were no news articles about the cause of her death, and why Omarion had exploded with rage when I'd asked how she died.

He was carrying the weight of a wife who'd chosen to walk away from life.

Patricia and Mrs. Chen began talking about something else, so I texted Jasmine about what I'd heard. She replied not long after.

Holy s**t, Lisa. Omarion's mother sounds terrifying. Are you sure you're okay staying there?

I don't have any business with her, so I don't really care about her arrival. I'm here for Zara.

Still, be careful, Jasmine texted back.

Thinking back to how Zara had flatly said, "I hate Grandma," at the breakfast table, the picture became clear. Even without meeting the woman, I could already see why a five-year-old girl wanted nothing to do with her.