Chapter 6 - The Confrontation

The next morning, the grand estate felt entirely different. The rain had cleared, leaving behind a crisp, pale sunlight that cut through the tall study windows. Dominic sat behind his massive mahogany desk, the morning ledger open before him, though his eyes weren't reading a single word.
A timid knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Dominic said, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room.
The door creaked open, and Linda stepped inside. She looked paler than usual, her eyes ringed with exhaustion from keeping vigil at the hospital through the night. She carried her cleaning caddy, her shoulders slouched under the immense weight of her silent suffering. She walked straight to the corner to pick up yesterday's debris, keeping her gaze firmly locked on the floor.
"Mr. Gallow," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly. "I... I'm sorry I was late returning last night. I will finish the south wing before noon to make up for it."
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Dominic didn't answer immediately. He slowly closed the leather-bound ledger, the heavy thud echoing loudly in the quiet room. He stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and walked around the front of the desk, leaning against the polished wood as he stared directly at her.
Linda froze, her hand gripping the handle of her cleaning cart so hard her fingers turned blue. She braced herself for the firing, the yelling, or the cold dismissal she was certain she deserved.