"Her father died because he knew who was supposed to burn inside it."

Richard Romano's words continued to echo in Vincent's head long after the call ended.

Elena stood across the conference table, gripping the photograph of her father.

"What did he say?"

Vincent slowly lowered his phone.

"Richard knew the fire wasn't an accident."

Elena's face tightened.

"You already suspected that."

"He also knew someone was supposed to die inside that warehouse."

"Who?"

Vincent looked at the photograph.

"I don't know."

Elena stepped closer.

"Don't lie to protect him."

"I'm not protecting him."

"Then tell me everything."

Vincent hesitated.

For fifteen years, he had believed that Ashford Warehouse burned because of faulty wiring. Now every document they uncovered pointed toward something far worse.

He had been twenty years old when the fire happened.

Young enough to trust his family.

Old enough to remember the people who had been standing in his way.

"Richard wanted me out of the family business," Vincent admitted. "My father was sick. I had started reviewing company accounts, and I found payments that didn't make sense."

Elena studied him.

"Did you confront Richard?"

"Two days before the fire."

"And then you almost died."

Vincent nodded.

The implication settled between them.

Elena looked away.

She had entered the Romano estate believing the family had murdered her father to conceal a financial crime.

Now she was beginning to understand that her father might have died because he tried to save someone else.

Someone she had also saved.

"Thomas Reed said he has something my father left behind," she said.

"We'll find him."

"Together?"

Vincent met her eyes.

"Together."

For the first time, Elena did not argue.

But whatever fragile understanding had formed between them was tested the following afternoon.

When Elena returned to Romano Estate, a silver Bentley was parked outside the entrance.

A woman in an ivory designer suit stood in the foyer, speaking sharply to the housekeeper.

Madison Clarke.

Elena recognized her immediately.

Madison came from one of Chicago's wealthiest families. Her father controlled several investment firms, and her name appeared regularly in society magazines.

She was also the woman Richard had spent years encouraging Vincent to marry.

Madison turned when Elena entered.

"So you're the famous maid."

Elena stopped.

"Excuse me?"

Madison examined her uniform.

"I expected someone more impressive."

Elena kept her voice steady.

"Can I help you with something?"

Madison smiled.

"Yes. Stay away from Vincent."

Elena almost laughed.

"I'm here to work."

"Then remember your position."

Madison stepped closer.

"Men like Vincent occasionally become fascinated by unfortunate women. It makes them feel generous."

Elena's expression hardened.

"I don't need his generosity."

"Good. Because you're not getting his future."

Before Elena could answer, Richard appeared at the top of the staircase.

"Madison. There you are."

He descended with an easy smile.

"I see you've met our newest employee."

Madison folded her arms.

"I was just explaining a few things."

Richard looked at Elena.

"Miss Brooks. I trust you've recovered from your little performance last night."

Elena met his gaze.

"I trust you've recovered your ring."

His smile disappeared.

Madison glanced between them.

"What ring?"

"The one Mr. Romano accused me of stealing," Elena answered. "The one security found in his own pocket."

Richard's jaw tightened.

"Careful."

Elena did not lower her eyes.

"That's what my father should have told you fifteen years ago."

For a moment, Richard looked genuinely startled.

Then his expression became cold.

"Your father made mistakes."

Elena took a step toward him.

"My father tried to prevent a fire."

"Your father should have minded his own business."

The words escaped before Richard could stop them.

Elena froze.

"What did you say?"

Richard adjusted his jacket.

"I said this family has been more than patient with you."

He walked away.

But Elena had heard enough.

That evening, Madison hosted a small dinner for several family associates.

Vincent had not agreed to the gathering, but Richard insisted it would help restore the family's reputation after the previous night's incident.

Elena was assigned to serve.

She knew the decision was deliberate.

Madison watched her throughout dinner.

When Elena approached with a tray of wineglasses, Madison extended one hand.

"Red wine."

Elena poured carefully.

Madison lifted the glass, then deliberately tipped it onto the pale marble floor.

"Oh, dear."

The guests turned.

Madison looked down at the spreading stain.

"Clean that up."

Elena placed the bottle on the serving cart.

"I'll get a cloth."

"No."

Madison pointed at the floor.

"Now."

Elena glanced at her.

"The proper equipment is in the service room."

Madison laughed.

"You're a maid, aren't you?"

A few guests exchanged uncomfortable looks.

Madison stepped closer.

"Get on your knees and clean it."

Elena felt heat rise in her face.

She remembered Vincent kneeling before her.

The shock on Richard's face.

The scar on her wrist.

And the years her mother had spent cleaning other people's houses just to keep them fed.

"My job doesn't require me to accept humiliation," Elena said.

Madison's smile vanished.

"Then perhaps you don't need this job."

"Perhaps I don't."

"Get down."

"No."

Madison raised her voice.

"Richard, are you going to let the staff speak to me like this?"

Richard rose.

"Elena, apologize."

"For what?"

"For disrespecting a guest."

Elena looked directly at him.

"Respect works both ways."

A cold voice came from the doorway.

"She's right."

Vincent stood beneath the archway.

He had returned from a meeting earlier than expected.

His eyes moved from the spilled wine to Madison, then to Elena.

"What happened?"

Madison immediately approached him.

"Vincent, thank God. Your maid has been incredibly rude."

Vincent looked at Elena.

"Is that true?"

Elena lifted her chin.

"She ordered me to kneel."

Vincent turned toward Madison.

"Did you?"

Madison laughed nervously.

"It was a joke."

"Then explain why nobody is laughing."

Richard stepped forward.

"Vincent, don't make a scene."

Vincent ignored him.

He walked to Elena's side.

"Miss Brooks doesn't kneel for anyone in this house."

The room fell silent.

Madison stared at him.

"You're defending a maid over me?"

"I'm defending someone who deserves basic respect."

Madison's face flushed.

"You can't be serious."

Vincent's voice remained quiet.

"Completely."

Elena looked at him, surprised despite herself.

He did not touch her.

He did not speak for her again.

He simply stood beside her while Madison collected her handbag and stormed out.

Richard followed.

But before leaving, he looked back at Elena.

The expression in his eyes made her stomach tighten.

Later that night, Elena returned to her room.

An envelope lay beneath her door.

There was no name.

No return address.

Inside was a photograph.

Her father stood outside Ashford Warehouse, speaking to Catherine Romano.

Vincent's mother.

Elena stared at the image.

On the back, someone had written:

ASK CATHERINE WHAT DANIEL DIED PROTECTING.

Elena's hands began to shake.

Because Catherine Romano had told police she had never met Daniel Brooks.

And the photograph proved she had lied.