Chapter 3 - The Unspoken BondBy the second month, the tension in the mansion began to thaw. Henry stopped refusing his morning medication, and though he remained stubborn about his physical therapy, he allowed Leah to help him transfer from his chair to the sofa without throwing a bitter tantrum.
One evening, Benson and Diana Whitmore arrived unannounced for dinner. Diana wore an expensive silk blouse and carried a stack of corporate documents.
"Henry, dear, you look... well, you look like you're managing," Diana said, casting a critical eye over Leah as she served iced tea in the dining room. "I must say, I'm surprised this nanny has lasted so long. The others left within days."
"Leah isn't easily frightened," Henry said coldly, his eyes watching Benson carefully. "What are those files, Benson?"
Benson wiped his mouth with a napkin, looking solemn. "Just routine paperwork for the board meeting next week, Henry. Since you're still unable to attend in person, we need your power of attorney extended for another six months so I can sign off on the new waterfront development contract."
Leah, standing quietly near the kitchen entrance, noticed the subtle exchange of glances between Benson and Diana. Benson’s hand trembled slightly as he pushed the pen toward Henry.
Henry reached for the pen, but Eli, who had wandered into the hallway looking for his mother, suddenly spoke up. "Mommy, that man's car dropped a folder under the driveway bush."
Benson’s face turned bright red. "Nonsense, kid. I didn't drop anything."
"He did," Eli insisted quietly. "A blue folder with red stamps."
Henry paused, lowering the pen. His sharp instincts, dull from months of grief, suddenly flared back to life. "Arthur," Henry called out to his household manager. "Go fetch the folder Eli is talking about."
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Benson stood up abruptly. "Henry, there's no need to listen to a child—"
"Sit down, Benson," Henry commanded, his voice carrying the authority of the CEO he used to be.
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