Roman’s answer came immediately.
“You put your hands on an employee and frightened a child.
Whatever you imagine you did for me does not purchase that right.”
Caleb looked toward Ava as if he wanted her to understand that things had somehow become unfair to him.
Ava gave him nothing.
The guards removed his badge and radio.
When they led him away, he did not look powerful.
He looked ordinary.
That surprised Ava most.
Mrs.
Bellamy remained beside the staircase.
Roman turned to her.
“You are dismissed effective immediately.
You will not access personnel files, contact staff, or alter estate records.
Independent counsel will receive the archive tonight, including Trina’s complaint and every disciplinary report issued under your management.”
Bellamy’s voice shook with rage.
“You cannot run this house without me.”
Roman glanced at the blood still visible on the marble.
“I cannot run it with you.”
She looked around at the employees who had spent years avoiding her eyes.
No one stepped forward.
No one defended her.
For once, silence did not belong to Mrs.
Bellamy.
It belonged to the people watching her leave.
After the front door closed, Roman ordered the corridor sealed until police photographed the scene.
Ava gave her statement with her nephew beside her.
When an officer asked whether she wanted to make a formal complaint about Caleb striking her, she said yes before fear could bargain with her.
Roman did not speak for her.
He did not stand behind her shoulder.
He stayed far enough away that the choice remained hers.
Later that night, a doctor examined Ava’s cheek.
Nothing was broken.
The swelling would worsen before it faded.
Her nephew barely spoke on the drive home.
Ava worried the silence had returned for good.
But when they reached their apartment, he stopped beside the kitchen table.
“Were you scared?” he asked.
Ava put down her keys.
“Yes.”
He considered this.
“You still stood in front of me.”
“Yes.”
His lower lip trembled.
Then he wrapped both arms around her waist.
Ava held him until neither of them needed to pretend they were fine.
The following morning Roman called once.
He did not ask her to return to work.
He told her she was on paid leave for as long as she needed.
He also told her an outside employment firm would review every termination and disciplinary action from Mrs.
Bellamy’s tenure.
Former staff would be contacted directly, including Trina.
Any false employment records would be corrected.
Ava listened.
Then she asked, “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because people in my house used my name to frighten you,” he said.
