"Mr. Watson, I came in on my own. It had nothing to do with Butler Lo," Claire called after Gilbert, her voice tight with urgency.
But he didn't stop. He was already halfway up the stairs.
Claire turned to butler Lo, guilt clouding her expression. "I'm so sorry, Butler Lo. This is all my fault."
He gave her a faint, weary smile as he stepped closer. "Miss Claire, this isn't on you. I should have handled it better. Please don't blame yourself."
He had served at Watson Castle for over thirty years, and never once had he faced such a bewildering dismissal. Maybe it was just his time. His luck had simply run out.
With slumped shoulders, he walked back inside.
Watching his defeated figure retreat, Claire felt a heaviness settle in her chest.
She pulled out her phone and tried to call Gilbert. But her number had already been blocked. No matter how many times she dialed, all she heard was the cold, mechanical voice of the voicemail.
