The Scott mansion, the following morning. Liam is noticeably troubled as he prepares to call Catherine. Lois observes him carefully.
Liam stared at his phone, his jaw tense. He couldn't believe he was even considering this. Re-hiring Lena Hayes was a horrible idea. She was a liar, a nosy, and he didn't trust her one bit. But witnessing the true grief in Lois's eyes last night… he couldn't deny his daughter anything. He was still trying to make up for failing her after Elizabeth died.
He glanced at Lois, who was sitting at the breakfast table, pretending to read a book but plainly listening carefully. He sighed. He was being manipulated, he knew it. But what option did he have?
"Alright," he said, his voice dejected. "I'll call her."
Lois's face brightened up. "Really, Daddy?" she shouted, rushing up and wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you!"
He feigned a smile, ruffling her hair. He was doing this for her, he told himself. Not because he missed Lena's sharp wit or the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about art. Definitely not because of the lingering heat he felt whenever she was near.
He located Lena's number in his contacts and hesitated for a while before clicking the call button. He had a nasty feeling about this.
Catherine receives Liam's call. She feigns astonishment and reluctance, following Sarah's directions.
Catherine glanced at her burner phone, her heart beating in her chest. Liam Scott was calling. The plot was in motion.
"Remember what we discussed," Sarah added, her voice steely. "Act surprised. Act reluctant. Make him work for it."
Catherine took a deep breath and answered the phone.
"Hello?" she said, pretending surprise.
"Lena, it's Liam Scott," his voice was rough. "I… I need to talk to you."
"Mr. Scott?" she asked, seeming bewildered. "What do you want?"
"Lois misses you," he replied, his voice softening slightly. "She's been very unhappy since you left."
Catherine bit back a smile. Lois was a good actress.
"I'm sorry to hear that," she added, her voice perfectly neutral. "But I don't think it's a good idea for me to come back. I don't think we're a good fit."
"Please, Lena," he pleaded. "Just give it another opportunity. For Lois's sake."
"I don't know, Mr. Scott," she responded, trying to hesitate. "I'm not sure I can trust you. You fired me, remember?"
"I was wrong," he admits. "I acted rashly. Please, just come back. I'll pay you double your former wage."
Catherine smirked. That was more like it.
"Alright, Mr. Scott," she responded, appearing to yield. "I'll come back. But just for Lois. And only on my terms."
Back at the warehouse, Catherine and Sarah discuss Liam's call and their next moves. Sarah shares a new piece of information about Elizabeth's death.
"He took the bait," Catherine remarked, reporting back to Sarah at the warehouse. "He practically begged me to come back."
Sarah smiled, a hungry glitter in her eyes. "Excellent," she said. "The plan is working perfectly."
"But I still don't like using Lois," Catherine replied, her voice concerned. "She's just a kid."
"Don't worry about Lois," Sarah answered, dismissing her fears. "She's a means to an end. Focus on the greater picture."
"And what is the bigger picture?" Catherine asked, her brow wrinkled. "What am I really looking for?"
Sarah hesitated for a bit, then leaned closer. "There's something we haven't told you," she continued, her voice low. "We have reason to believe that Elizabeth's death wasn't an accident."
Catherine gasped. "What? But I thought-"
"The official story is that she died in a car accident," Sarah stated. "But we have evidence that implies she was murdered. And we suspect Liam Scott was involved."
Catherine glanced at Sarah, her head reeling. Liam? A murderer? It was impossible. He was grieving, shattered. He loved his children. He couldn't possibly be capable of such a thing. Or could he?
Catherine returns to the Scott mansion. The mood is strained, and Liam appears distant and guarded.
The wrought-iron gates of the Scott home seemed even more formidable this time, as Catherine's automobile drove through. She peered at the rearview mirror, a mix of worry and determination whirling within her. She was back, but everything had changed. She wasn't just a nanny anymore. She was an investigator, a spy, a pawn in a perilous game.
The car rolled up to the front entry, and she stepped out, taking a big breath. As she walked up the steps, she spotted Liam standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"Welcome back, Lena," he murmured, his voice flat.
"Thank you, Mr. Scott," she said, her voice perfectly neutral.
"Don't call me that," he murmured, his eyes darkening. "Call me Liam."
She nodded, her heart beating in her chest. He was close, too close. She could feel his gaze searing into her, questioning her, testing her.
"Lois is waiting for you inside," he added, standing aside to allow her pass. "She's very excited."
As Catherine walked into the estate, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was headed into a trap. She looked back at Liam.
Catherine settles back into her work as nanny, but is secretly studying Liam and trying to unearth evidence concerning Elizabeth's death. She notices something weird.
The first few days back at the Scott mansion were awkward and stressful. Liam was distant and cautious, scarcely recognizing her existence. Lois, on the other hand, was happy to have her back, showering her with tenderness and attention.
Catherine tried to settle back into her duty as nanny, but it was difficult to focus on the children while her mind was racing with thoughts concerning Elizabeth's death. She started monitoring Liam, attempting to find any evidence that may suggest he was capable of murder.
She noted that he often glanced at Elizabeth's portrait in the living room, his expression a blend of grief and… something more. Guilt? Remorse? Or was she just imagining things?
She also noted that he was becoming increasingly secretive, spending hours in his study, chatting on the phone in hushed tones. Whenever she got close, he would abruptly end the call, his face growing pale.
One day, while cleaning his study, she uncovered a little, locked box buried at the back of his desk drawer. Her pulse pumping with eagerness, she tried to open it, but it was no use. The box was tightly locked.
What was inside? she wondered. And why was Liam so determined to keep it hidden?
Catherine is tutoring Victor. She questions him about his mother and her accident.
Catherine sat with Victor. "Do you remember what happened that night with your mom."
Victor had a saddened look on his face. "I remember loud noises, and the police coming to take me away."
Catherine, "Do you remember anything else."
Victor, "I remember my mom being in the car, but I don't remember anyone else being there".
As Catherine continued her investigation, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was coming closer to the truth. But the closer she approached, the more dangerous things grew. Was Liam really a murderer? And what would she do if she found proof? Also, what did Victor mean by not remembering anyone else being there?