Chapter 2: Behind Closed Doors
Once the grand doors clicked shut, the oppressive atmosphere of the gala seeped back into murmured gossip. Alexander dismissed the crowd with a wave of his hand, instructing the orchestra to resume playing. He turned his attention back to Sarah and Veneta, guiding them away from the prying eyes into his private study. The room was lined with leather-bound books and smelled of aged mahogany and cedar. Sarah immediately began to apologize, her hands nervously smoothing her apron. "Mr. Sterling, I am so sorry for the disturbance. Veneta didn't mean to—" Alexander raised a hand gently, stopping her. "Sarah, you have nothing to apologize for." He knelt down to Veneta’s eye level once more. "You were very brave out there, Veneta. But you must remember, true strength doesn't always need to yell." Veneta looked down at her elephant, her tiny fingers tracing its soft ears. For the first time since her husband passed, Sarah felt a strange sense of safety under the roof of her employer.
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