Chapter 4

Ethan, Andrew, and Matthew freeze, looking like schoolboys caught misbehaving.

"Senator Clarkson," Ethan stammers. "We were just... concerned about Jocelyn."

The Senator lets out a short, humorless laugh. "Concerned? It looked to me like you were about to physically restrain her."

She fixes her sharp gaze on each of them in turn.

"Mr. Lester," she begins, her voice cutting. "Your engagement to Jocelyn is a political matter of the highest level. Your public display with her sister tonight was a profound embarrassment. Correct it."

She turns to Andrew. "Mr. Scott. Your father, the Vice President, serves at the pleasure of the President. My pleasure. Do you really think championing a disgraced aide who publicly accused a sitting U.S. Senator of... what was it? 'Elitist extravagance'? Do you think that's a wise political move for your family?"

Finally, she looks at my cousin. "And you, Matthew. A staffer on the Oversight Committee. You of all people should understand the gravity of this situation. Stella Fuller's actions tonight weren't just a 'stunt.' Publicly accusing a senior government official, one with my level of security clearance and access to state secrets, could be interpreted as an attempt to incite insurrection. It borders on sedition."

The word hangs in the air. Sedition.

Mrs. Gable and the other household staff, who had been watching from the doorways, gasp. Their faces pale.

The Senator continues, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, loud enough for all to hear. "Under certain national security acts, anyone associated with her, anyone living under this roof, could be brought in for questioning. Assets frozen. The works. You were all in danger tonight because of her recklessness."

The spell is broken. The staff turns on Stella, their eyes now filled with fear and resentment.

"She docked my pay for a broken glass!" one maid cries out.

"She made me buy her expensive coffee with my own money!" another adds.

Stella's carefully constructed image of a righteous woman of the people shatters in an instant. She is exposed as a petty, cruel tyrant.

Senator Clarkson looks at me. "Jocelyn, pack a bag. You'll be staying with me for the time being. It's safer."

As I walk past Stella, she grabs my arm, her face a mask of desperation. "Jocelyn, please. Don't do this."

I pull my arm away, my expression cold. "I'm not doing anything. You did this to yourself."