All eyes were on Annika as she began to speak, her voice carrying above the hum of conversation. "I heard this from Lily while I was whipping up some grub in the kitchen. One day, I catch Lily in tears, tucked away in a corner. After gabbing for a bit, she spills the beans about Regina's antics. Said Regina made her tidy up Ms. Josefina's room, and when it wasn't spotless, she gave her an earful. Regina even threw in that Ms. Josefina's a tough cookie with a thing for cleanliness."
Josefina interjected, "Didn't I ban her from my room?"
Annika continued, unfazed, "Ms. Josefina, no offense, but your words just bounced off her. She didn't take them to heart."
Josefina's voice rose with indignation. "Is this how you work? The Harrisons pay you top dollar, and this is how you serve?"
Regina was fuming, her anger barely contained. It was crystal clear—Josefina was out to corner her.
Lena observed Regina, knowing this woman had to go. Keeping Regina around meant making enemies with the rest of the Harrison clan.
Regina pleaded her case, but Hattie remained unmoved. Garrett ordered an investigation, as the kitchen had always been Regina's domain, and she was in charge of the household accounts. It seemed Regina was a snake in the grass.
Garrett was furious, not about the embezzled money, but the fact that Regina had the audacity to bully his darling daughter Josie. This was something he could not and would not tolerate. "Call the police." he bellowed.
At his words, Regina panicked. "Miss Lena, please help me! For the love of God, save me! After all these years of looking after you, help me out. I can't face jail time."
Lena was equally anxious. If Regina exposed her secrets, it would spell disaster. She stared pitifully at Hattie. She knew her mother's tender heart might be swayed by her plea. "Mom, let's just kick Regina to the curb, fire her without involving the cops. If word gets out, it'll tarnish the Harrison name. Plus, Regina's put in years of service here."
Lena didn't want to plead. It was a last resort. She needed to show Regina she was fighting for her.
Regina chimed in, "I admit my fault. I beg you, don't call the cops. I'll leave on my own, okay?"
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