The high-pitched scream echoed from the ground floor shortly after noon, shattering the quiet atmosphere of the estate. Zeraida instantly abandoned the television script resting in her lap and rushed toward the sound without hesitation.
She navigated the grand staircase quickly, following the noise to the main kitchen area. There she discovered one of the younger housemaids sitting on the polished floorboards, clutching her forearm tightly as blood streamed from a jagged cut caused by a shattered glass pitcher.
"Remain completely still," Zeraida instructed gently, dropping to her knees beside the trembling girl to inspect the wound.
The head housekeeper hurried into the room a moment later, her face pale with anxiety as she evaluated the situation. "The primary medical kit in the service pantry is entirely empty because we used the final bandages yesterday afternoon."
