The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 131

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Blackmail

Mr. Harris brought Mrs. Helen to a special security room in the basement of the Blackwood mansion.

A small room without windows. Only a table, two chairs, and a CCTV camera in the corner of the ceiling.

Usually used for interrogating staff suspected of stealing or committing serious violations.

Mrs. Helen had never entered this room during her twenty years of work.

Now she sat in a chair facing the table with two security guards standing behind her.

Mr. Harris sat in the opposite chair. Stared at her with a cold expression.

“Mrs. Helen,” he said in a formal tone. “Do you know why you were brought here?”

Mrs. Helen lifted her chin. Tried to look calm though her heart pounded hard.

“No. I don’t know.”

“Alright, if you want to make this drawn out. Let’s start from the beginning.” Mr. Harris opened a tablet in front of him. “This morning you brought breakfast for Mrs. Alina, but stayed there beyond the allotted time. What did you do while in the room?”

“Coaxing Madam to eat. Feeding her. She hasn’t eaten properly for two days. As head housekeeper, I was worried about her health.”

Mrs. Helen answered briefly. Confident. Simple.

Mr. Harris nodded slowly. “I’m not convinced you only did those things. You were there too long.”

“Only twenty minutes,” Mrs. Helen said. “Madam ate slowly because she had no appetite.”

“And after that?”

“I returned downstairs. Handed the dirty tray in the kitchen.”

Mr. Harris stared at her sharply. “Then what did you do in your office?”

Mrs. Helen tensed slightly. But tried to keep her expression neutral.

“There was work that needed to be completed.”

“What work?”

“Administrative work. Staff schedules. Supply inventory.”

“Why did you have to rush there after seeing Mrs. Alina? Couldn’t that wait?”

Mrs. Helen was getting annoyed now.

She and Mr. Harris had both given their lives for decades to the Blackwood family.

They were both heads in their respective fields. Equal in the staff hierarchy.

Mrs. Helen didn’t feel she should fear this man.

“There was urgent work,” she answered in a harder tone. “I had to finish it immediately.”

“What work exactly?”

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“None of your business, Harris.” Mrs. Helen stared at him sharply. “Why should I tell you the details of my duties and work? You’re head of security. I’m head housekeeper. We have different responsibilities.”

Mr. Harris leaned back in his chair. Stared at Mrs. Helen with an unreadable expression.

“Alright. I don’t want to drag this out anymore.” He extended his hand. “Hand over your phone.”

Mrs. Helen panicked.

Her heart nearly stopped.

“For what?”

“Because I know you’ve done something you shouldn’t have done. Hand over your phone. Now.”

His voice was firm. Couldn’t be disputed.

Mrs. Helen tensed in her chair. Her hands clenched in her lap.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Mrs. Helen.” Mr. Harris stood. Walked around the table. Stood beside the woman’s chair. “We’ve worked together for almost twenty years. I know you. And you know me. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

Mrs. Helen stared straight ahead. Didn’t look at Mr. Harris standing beside her.

“Harris,” she said softly. Her voice slightly trembling. “We both know what happened to Mrs. Alina isn’t right. She’s injured. Afraid. Needs help.”

“That’s not our business.”

“How can it not be our business? She’s our employer. She’s been good to all the staff. And now she’s being treated like trash in this house.”

Mr. Harris was silent for a moment. Then drew a deep breath.

“Give me your phone, Helen. This is the last order. Or I’ll take it by force.”

Mrs. Helen closed her eyes.

She knew there was no way out.

Slowly she reached for the phone from her uniform pocket.

Handed it to Mr. Harris with trembling hands.

Mr. Harris took the phone. Opened the unlocked screen.

Went straight to the messaging app.

Saw the draft message to Emma that hadn’t been sent due to no signal.

Read its contents.

Then opened the photo gallery.

Saw the photos of Alina’s bruised and swollen face.

Mr. Harris’s face hardened.

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“Are you looking to die?” he asked in a low and dangerous voice. “Taking photos of evidence of violence? Sending them to outsiders? You know this could destroy Mr. Daniel’s reputation?”

Mrs. Helen opened her eyes. Looked at Mr. Harris bravely though tears began pooling.

“I couldn’t bear seeing Mrs. Alina’s condition like that, Harris. She’s injured. She needs help. Someone has to do something.”

“Someone, but not us!” Mr. Harris raised his voice. “The rules are clear, Helen. We don’t interfere with the employers’ problems. Whatever happens between them is not our business.”

“How can we not interfere when we witness violence?”

“Because that’s our responsibility!” Mr. Harris slammed the table with his fist. Making Mrs. Helen startled. “Our responsibility is to work. Serve. Maintain this family’s privacy. Not be spies. Not collect evidence to spread outside.

He stared at Mrs. Helen with sharp eyes.

“Do you know the consequences of this action? You could lose your job. References. Pension. Everything you’ve built for twenty years could disappear in an instant.”

Mrs. Helen was silent. Tears began falling down her cheeks.

But she didn’t wipe them. Just stared at Mr. Harris with a disappointed look,

“Will you really report me?” she asked softly.

Mr. Harris was stunned.

He stared at the woman who had been his colleague for years.

Who was always professional. Who was always loyal to the Blackwood family.

Who now risked everything to defend a young mistress who wasn’t even a real Blackwood family member.

Mr. Harris drew a long breath.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Helen,” he said finally. His voice softer now. Almost regretful.

Mrs. Helen laughed bitterly. Tears flowed harder.

“Yet Mrs. Alina has been good to you all this time, Harris. She never looked down on staff. Always said thank you even for small things. But apparently to you she’s just a mistress. Nothing more.”

Mr. Harris fell silent.

Couldn’t answer.

Because what Mrs. Helen said was true.

Alina was indeed a good employer. Different from Margaret who was often harsh with staff.

But Mr. Harris had responsibilities. Had his own family depending on his salary.

He couldn’t risk all of that.

“Go,” he said finally. “Return to your duties. But this phone will be confiscated. And don’t try to contact anyone again about this matter.”

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Mrs. Helen stood with trembling legs.

Stared at her phone still in Mr. Harris’s hand.

All the evidence she’d collected. All hope of saving Alina.

Gone.

She turned and walked to the door with heavy steps.

Two guards opened the door for her.

Mrs. Helen left without looking back.

Leaving Mr. Harris alone in the interrogation room.

***

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Mr. Harris sat back in the chair.

Stared at Mrs. Helen’s phone still in his hand.

Opened again the photos of Alina’s injured face.

Blue bruise on her cheek. Swollen eyes from crying. Cracked lips.

Clear evidence of violence.

Mr. Harris felt something tighten in his chest.

Guilt.

But he tried to strengthen himself.

This wasn’t his business.

He was just doing his job.

Protecting the Blackwood family’s interests.

Mr. Harris took out his own phone.

Typed a message.

“Madam, I’ve obtained Mrs. Helen’s phone. Inside are the photos you mentioned. What should I do with this evidence?”

Mr. Harris sent the message to Margaret. He stared at the phone screen showing her contact number.

Mr. Harris’s thoughts drifted back to a few dozen minutes ago.

Right after Mrs. Helen left Alina’s room.

Mr. Harris had just returned to the security post when his phone rang.

Margaret Blackwood calling.

He answered carefully. “Mrs. Margaret?”

“Harris. There’s a serious problem.” Margaret’s voice was sharp. Urgent. “Mrs. Helen just took photos of evidence

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in Alina’s room. I don’t know what photos, but I want you to secure her immediately before it becomes a problem.

Mr. Harris furrowed his brow. “Are you sure, Madam? I didn’t see anything suspicious when Mrs. Helen was there.

11

“Of course I’m sure!” Margaret snapped. “I saw it myself from the CCTV installed in Alina’s room. Mrs. Helen took out her phone and took several photos secretly while feeding Alina.”

Mr. Harris tensed.

CCTV in Alina’s room.

That he installed himself on Margaret’s orders a few weeks ago.

That should have been deactivated after Margaret moved from the mansion.

But apparently it was still active. And Margaret still had access.

“Harris,” Margaret’s voice became dangerous now. “You know what this means, right? If that evidence gets out, Daniel’s reputation is ruined. You must stop it immediately.”

“But Madam,” Mr. Harris hesitated. “What reason should I give Mr. Daniel about Mrs. Helen? I can’t say I’m catching Mrs. Helen because I saw her actions from CCTV footage.”

“You figure it out yourself,” Margaret answered. Didn’t want to know. “You’re the one who installed that CCTV without Daniel’s permission. What do you think Daniel’s reaction will be if he finds out you installed a hidden camera in his wife’s room?”

“You were the one who ordered it.” Mr. Harris responded quickly while trying to stay calm.

“Daniel won’t care about that. I know my son. He’ll probably consider you a traitor like Helen.”

Mr. Harris felt cold sweat on his back.