Liam's grasp tightened on her arm, his blue eyes flashing with a mixture of wrath and… something else. Was it fear? The thought darted through Catherine's thoughts, immediately disregarded. Liam Scott didn't fear anything. Or did he?
"Tell me, Lena," he hissed, his voice a low rumbling that vibrated through her. "What did you find in here?"
Catherine's heart slammed against her ribs. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, the intensity of his gaze burning into her soul. Part of her wanted to disclose everything, to lay bare her secrets and trust him with the truth. But another part, the part that had learned to survive in a world of betrayal and loss, warned her to be cautious.
"I... I didn't find anything important," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Just some old papers."
Liam's expression darkened. "Don't lie to me," he said, his voice dangerously low. "I know you're hiding something. What is it?"
He pushed her closer, his body crushing against hers. She could feel the strong muscles of his chest, the heat of his breath on her flesh. Her senses spun, her mind fighting to focus.
"I can't tell you," she said, her voice shaking.
"Why not?" he shouted, his hands tightening.
"Because... because it's not my place," she murmured, grabbing at straws. "It's something personal, something that belongs to you."
Liam stared at her for a long minute, his eyes probing hers. She held her breath, praying he wouldn't see through her falsehoods.
Suddenly, he released her arm, moving back as if burned. The quick change in mood caught her off guard.
"Get out," he said, his voice chilly and contemptuous. "Get out of this room, and out of this house. You're fired."
Catherine gasped, her heart plummeting. "What? But... why?"
"I don't trust you," he murmured, his gaze narrowing. "You've been sneaking about, lying to me. I can't have someone like that around my children."
"But I haven't done anything wrong," she argued, her voice pleading. "I was just curious."
"That's not good enough," he remarked, his voice firm. "I want you gone by morning. Pack your things and leave. And don't ever come back."
Lois confronts Catherine. She confesses she knows about Catherine's secret, and makes a deal with her.
Tears stung Catherine's eyes as she staggered out of the hidden room, her world shattering around her. She had lost her career, her home, her chance at a fresh start. All because of a silly diary.
As she made her way back to her room, she was intercepted by Lois. The little girl stood in the corridor, her arms crossed and a smug grin on her face.
"I saw you," Lois continued, her voice stern and accusing. "I saw you sneaking around with my dad."
Catherine's heart fell. "Lois, it's not what you think," she said, trying to clarify.
"Yes, it is," Lois snapped. "You're attempting to steal my dad away from me. Just like all the other women."
"That's not true," Catherine objected. "I would never-"
"I know your secret," Lois interrupted, her eyes hardening. "I know you were in the secret room. And I know you found something."
Catherine froze, her mind whirling. How much did Lois know?
"What do you want, Lois?" she inquired, her voice weary.
"I want you to leave," Lois remarked, her voice firm. "I want you to leave my dad alone and never come back."
Catherine sighed. "I was already fired," she added. "I'm leaving in the morning."
Lois's expression relaxed slightly. "Good," she said. "But if you ever try to come back, I'll tell my dad everything I know. And he'll never trust you again."
Catherine glanced at the young girl, her heart bleeding for her. Lois was just a youngster, grieving the loss of her mother and eager to protect her father.
"I promise, Lois," she responded, her voice serious. "I won't come back. I won't disturb you or your dad again."
Lois nodded, then turned and walked away, leaving Catherine alone in the corridor, her emotions finally spilling over.
But before she could get away Lois remarked "Unless you agree to work for me".
Catherine stood there astonished and turned back to face Lois. "What?"
"I know that you and my Dad are in to something, and I want to know what it is. Also if I tell my Dad what I saw, and how you were snooping around I don't believe he will enjoy that. If you work for me and tell me what you are doing, I will maintain your secret and also aid you."
Catherine collects her possessions, reflecting on everything that has happened. She finds a concealed letter in her suitcase.
Back in her room, Catherine began to gather her stuff, her movements plodding and mechanical. Her idea of a fresh start had turned into a nightmare. She was back where she started — alone, poor, and running from her history.
As she packed her things, she delved into her luggage and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. It was a note, written in a recognizable hand.
"Don't give up, Lena. The truth is closer than you realize. - A Friend"
Catherine's heart surged with hope. Someone knew her true identity. Someone was watching out for her. But who? And what truth were they talking about?
Catherine confronts Liam one last time. She attempts to urge him to listen to her, but he refuses.
Determined to clear her name and learn the truth, Catherine went to confront Liam one last time. She had to try to convince him that she wasn't a liar, that she was simply trying to help.
She discovered him in his study, seated at his desk, his face buried in his hands. He seemed much more weary than she had seen him last night.
"Mr. Scott," she continued, her voice quiet. "Can we talk?"
Liam looked up, his eyes filled with rage and tiredness. "What do you want?" he snapped. "I thought I made it clear that I want you gone."
"I know," Catherine responded, her voice begging. "But please, just listen to me. I can explain everything."
"There's nothing to explain," he continued, his voice frigid. "You lied to me, you sneaked about, and you shattered my trust. That's all I need to know."
"But I can help you," she protested. "I can assist you find out the truth regarding Elizabeth's death. I know there's something you're not telling me."
Liam's eyes narrowed, his attitude darkening. "How do you know about Elizabeth?" he questioned, his voice dangerously low.
"I found her diary," Catherine admitted, her voice shaking. "I know about her affair. I know she wasn't happy."
Liam sprang up, his face a mask of rage. "Get out," he yelled, his voice quivering with wrath. "Get out of my house, and never mention my wife's name again."
Catherine flinched, tears running down her face. She had tried everything she could to convince him, but it was no use. He was too blinded by grief and hatred to recognize the reality.
With a sob, she turned and departed the study, her goal of finding justice and love broken into a million pieces.
Catherine meets with a strange contact. She accepts to work for them, even though she doesn't know who they are.
Heartbroken and desperate, Catherine departed the Scott estate early the next morning, her suitcase in hand. She has nowhere to go, no one to turn to.
As she proceeded down the long road, she observed a black automobile parked at the gate. A man in a dark suit stepped out of the automobile and approached her.
"Miss Hayes?" he asked, his voice calm and professional.
Catherine hesitated, then nodded.
"I have a message for you," the man continued. "We know who you are, and we know what you're looking for. We can assist you locate the truth, but you have to be willing to work with us."
Catherine gazed at the man, her mind racing. Who were these people? How did they know about her past? And why did they wish to aid her?
"Who are you?" she said, her voice trembling. "Who do you work for?"
The man grinned, a chilly and unsettling smile. "That's not important," he answered. "What's crucial is that we can provide you what you desire. We can assist you learn the truth about your family, and about Elizabeth's death. But you have to be willing to trust us."
Catherine pondered, then made a decision. She had nothing left to lose.
"I'll do it," she responded, her voice steely. "I'll work with you. Just tell me what you want me to do."
As Catherine stepped into the black sedan, leaving the Scott home behind, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. Was she making a pact with the devil? Or was she finally on the path to uncovering the truth? What will happen now that Lois wants to work with her?