“I'm so sorry sir,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with sorrow. “We couldn't save her. She… she passed away a few moments ago, she was poisoned…”. The words hung in the air, heavy, and suffocating. Antonio stood frozen, his mind struggling to process the devastating truth. The room seemed to tilt, the walls closing in around him. The doctor closed his eyes expecting a hit, something, anything, but there was no single sound heard. He slowly opened his eyes to see Antonio walking towards his grandma's bed. The doctors and nurses immediately exit the bedside like a water splash “Poison?” He asked… “Yes…yes sir”. Why will anyone poison Grandma Elizabeth, and what could they aim to achieve with it? “No…” Antonio chuckled slowly. His grandmother, the one person who could calm his storms, who had been his anchor, was gone. “You are joking”. He laughed out loudly. The nurses lowered their heads, crying silently. Suddenly, a loud guttural cry of anguish tore from his throat, a raw, primal sound that reverberated through the ward. He sank to his knees beside the bed, his hands reaching out to grasp his grandmother's cold, lifeless hand. The doctors watched in helpless silence, their hearts aching with sadness, too. Grandma Elizabeth was a good one. Many will leave the Mansion, the only reason they still serve the Monteros was because of her kind and nurturing character towards everyone. “Don't scare me like that, get up, stop playing!” Antonio's shoulders shook with the force of his sobs, his fingers clutching the cold, unresponsive hand as if he could somehow will life back into it. Courtney arrived at the scene and stood at the doorway. The sight of Antonio, broken and weeping beside his grandmother's bed, was so heartbreaking. Tears streamed down her face, her grief mixed with the helplessness she felt for not being able to reach him. She knew that no words from her could console him now. She took a step backwards, but her eyes never left Antonio. She had to leave the Mansion, she couldn't help him. Her consolation will only provoke him, but first she had to inform Angela's sister. Antonio will go wild and come for her. This mansion is not safe for her, and most maids will leave soon. About a few minutes of Antonio's silent grieving. His fury was unleashed once more, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity as he glared at the doctors and guards. “You!” he snarled, his finger jabbing accusingly at the nearest doctor. “You should have detected the poison earlier! You should have saved her!” The doctor cowered, trembling under Antonio's gaze. “P-please, young master Antonio, we did everything we could…" Antonio's rage turned to the guards. “And you! You were supposed to protect her! How did this happen on your watch? Who poisoned her!” The guards quaked, their eyes wide with fear. “W-we didn't know, my lord… we didn't see anything…" Antonio's voice rose to a thunderous roar. "You're all incompetent! Useless! I'll have your heads for this! Every last one of you!" The room was again covered with tension and fear. No one dared to speak, no one dared to move… “Summon everyone!” His voice roared. ****** Courtney entered the servants' medical room with urgency. “Kerry, I need to talk to you,” she said, her voice steady but tense. Kerry looked up from her phone, she had been trying Angela's number for as long as she could remember, concerned about her sudden visit. She also has questions, a lot has been happening, and the nurses won't tell her what the chaos is all about. They all left her and never returned. “What happened, is Angela and my brother? Did you hear anything about her, my babies too…" She panicked. “No Kerry, I am sorry there's been no news about Angela, you have to leave this mansion immediately”. Kerry's wet eyes met hers. “Wha…what? But…” “Listen to me, Kerry! Grandma Elizabeth," Courtney began, pausing for a moment to collect herself. “She's dead. You have to leave the mansion immediately. I am leaving too, it was his order. He cared enough to warn me.” Courtney sobbed. Kerry's eyes widened, and her face paled as the gravity of the news sank in. She could feel her heart racing uncontrollably, shocked. “What? What happened? How?” “I can't go into details now,” Courtney replied. "But it's not safe for you here. You need to go now.” Kerry shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “I can't leave without any news about my family, if they are alive or dead…why is this happening…where will I go?” “Kerry, this is not the time for this… I will help you look into Angela's missing case but now Antonio…” She paused. “He is out of control, he will hurt you, he is messed up in the head, trust me, you need to leave…or else you will be killed and your corpse sexually abused. Good thing you are not a blonde… I know this sounds crazy, but….you shouldn't take a risk”. Kerry buried her face in her hands and burst into loud tears. “This is all my fault…if only I have been a bit careful, a bit a good lady like Angela…maybe she won't have to take all the family responsibilities and get mixed with all this… If only…” Courtney placed a comforting hand on Kerry’s shoulder. “Kerry, this is not the time please…you need to hold yourself together. There’s a safe house nearby where you can stay for now. We’ll figure out the next step, I will help you, okay?” Kerry nodded reluctantly, wiping away her tears. As Kerry hurriedly gathered her belongings, Courtney stepped out into the hallway. She needed to ensure Kerry’s departure went smoothly without drawing attention. The hallway was empty and no guard in sight. Minutes later, Kerry emerged with her small handbag. “I’m ready,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. Courtney gave her a reassuring nod. “This is my note for the security guards to let you go through the gates…, outside the Montero mansion. Head to the safe house we talked about. I’ll contact you once I am out of here, too. I need a bit of parkin g to do.” “Thanks so much”. Kerry sobbed, gave Courtney a quick hug, before leaving the building. Courtney watched until she was out of sight.