and solved the immediate problem before the soup had cooled.
But he imagined what that would mean.
She would know he had overheard the telephone call.
She might feel watched.
Exposed.
Perhaps humiliated.
And worse, she might believe that her employer now saw her as someone requiring charity rather than as the capable employee she had worked hard to be.
Adrian chose his words carefully.
“We’re reviewing compensation across the household staff.”
Marissa looked surprised.
“We are?”
The lie was harmless enough, but Adrian disliked hearing himself say it.
“Yes.”
He made a mental note that he would now actually have to review everyone’s compensation.
“I’ve realized some of our wages haven’t kept pace with the cost of living around Boston.”
Marissa’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the tray.
Adrian continued.
“If adjustments are made, they’ll apply retroactively from the beginning of the quarter.”
For the first time,
