The manor's manager and security staff watched as Annelise Valentine prepared to make a run for it with Stella Sterling.
Steeling themselves, they blocked the front of the car.
"M-Miss Valentine! You can't leave!"
"If the Ninth Lord finds out you've gone, he'll be furious! Just a few days ago, because of you… the Ninth Lord already severely punished a group of people for dereliction of duty! We're begging you, please don't… don't make things difficult for us!"
"Move!"
"Miss Valentine!" The manager was practically on his knees. "We really can't! Please, have some consideration for us…"
"I think you'd be better off showing some consideration for your Ninth Lord's house."
The moment she finished speaking, a sharp-eyed security guard suddenly pointed at the second-floor bedroom window of the main building and screamed in terror.
"Fire! Look! There's smoke coming from upstairs!!"
