#Chapter 249: Double Crossed

Agnes The girl was terrified, and instantly, I felt my anger melt away. She was so young—hardly older than eighteen, and now that I was seeing her up close, I recognized her face. Ruby. She was one of the newest members of our staff, a sweet girl who would never hurt a fly. Even Elijah’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly beside me at the sight of her. Crossing the room, I knelt down in front of her. She shrank away, but I took her hands and offered her a gentle smile. “Ruby,” I said softly, “we just want to know what happened to a very important object that was taken from our safe. It looks like a small blue-green stone. Did you take it? Or do you know who did?” The young maid’s eyes darted to the door, then back to me, then to Elijah, who was standing with his arms crossed. She looked absolutely terrified—not just nervous or worried about getting in trouble, but genuinely afraid for her life. “Are you afraid?” I asked gently. Ruby nodded reluctantly