She remembered all the years she had served the family.
The birthdays.
The illnesses.
The long nights.
The countless meals she had prepared.
And now the man she had worked for was sitting there while his mother accused her.
Then Daniel stood.
He asked permission to present new evidence.
The judge agreed.
Daniel revealed photographs and household records showing that Clara had not been anywhere near the jewelry room during the period when the necklace disappeared.
The room became tense.
But the Hamilton lawyer immediately objected.
The judge reviewed the evidence and allowed Daniel to continue.
Then Daniel produced something else.
A security record.
Someone had entered the jewelry room at a time when Clara was already outside the mansion.
Margaret’s face suddenly changed.
Clara noticed it.
For the first time, Margaret didn’t look angry.
She looked frightened.
Daniel looked directly at her.
“Mrs. Hamilton,” he said, “if Clara didn’t enter the room, then someone else did.”
