Chapter 89
Chapter 89
“Is someone there?” Dad asked, his voice tense as he turned toward the noise source.
Suddenly, a cat leaped through the window, its soft purr breaking the thick silence. Mom’s hand flew to her chest in alarm while Dad’s shoulders relaxed with visible relief.
But I sensed their deeper anxiety–they were worried someone might have overheard our conversation. This would be yet another potential scandal for the Jones family.
“Isabella…” Mom murmured, her voice trembling. “Please, try to understand us. Don’t we mean anything to you anymore?”
“That’s right,” I replied firmly. “Do you really think it’s fair to ask me to marry Evan just because of his promise to you? Have you forgotten that I’m already married and pregnant?”
“You’re making this more difficult than it has to be,” Dad said, his tone sharp but calculating “Your child can adapt to any situation. Just tell him he’s Evan’s nephew, and everything will fall into place.”
“Adapt?” I shot back, my voice laced with sarcasm, “Learn from what you did to Charlotte, you mean?”
My disgust was palpable as I continued, “I loved Cassie as a friend, and her presence in my heart is irreplaceable. I don’t care about the fortune she left behind. It was never mine to claim.”
Without waiting for their response, I stormed out of the room and slipped into the adjacent space.
Soon, Mom’s face showed deep worry, while Dad’s anger boiled over as they exited the room. He lashed out at her, saying “This is your fault for bringing that woman into our family. Look at her–she doesn’t even care about us.”
“Can you stop blaming me for mistakes you orchestrated yourself?” Mom snapped back, spinning away in raw frustration
Pressing myself against the wall, I held my breath and waited silently. The strange feeling wouldn’t leave me–I hadn’t . imagined it earlier. Someone had definitely been in that room.
I didn’t have to wait long before the door opened again.
A woman stepped out and moved quickly. Half her face was hidden behind a mask. She turned and walked down the hallway in the opposite direction, making it difficult for me to discern her features.
I watched her retreating figure, a cold shiver running down my spine. I was certain she was the same woman who had been in my room earlier.
There’s something about her. A presence that felt wrong, like a shadow that didn’t belong.
I must be cautious.
***
Another day passed.
ried to
I managed to sleep last night without any disturbances, though I was paranoid. I meticulously checked the door’s lock, ensuring it was secure, and then pushed another table against the door, just in case. That way, I’d hear if some get in.
That maid had left me feeling unsettled.
It was Grandma’s birthday, and the mansion had come alive with the arrival of various family members.
Instead of socializing, exploring the house seemed more appealing. I ventured up to the attic, a place no one in the family
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1 glanced around the room, noting the tension in the head maid’s posture. It was obvious she was growing uneasy.
“Ms habella, you should rest. The evening celebration for Graudur’s birthday is about to begin. You wouldn’t wan 10 overexert yourself, would your it wouldn’t be good for the baby
It was then that I noticed a photo of my grandmother on a nearby table
“Wow! I really look like Grandma when the was younger I exclaimed positioning myself next to the photo frame.
Ms. labella, please. Her body trembled
Not wanting to make things difficult for her, I agreed to leave the room. But as I turned to go, I noticed a brown leather sketchbook.
Curious, I opened it, revealing a sketch of my necklace among several other drawings. I slipped it under my arm as I headed for the door, but the head maid blocked my path
Ms. Isabella, if Grandma finds out you took something from here, I’ll be in trouble,” she warned, but her tone pleaded.
“No one will find out. I’m just so surprised to see my necklace sketched here. I’m looking for some inspiration and I might just find it here. And besides, I’m Grandma’s favorite, aren’t I’ll just take a look–I promise I won’t damage
Reluctantly, the head maid nodded Grandma’s obvious favoritism for me seemed to give me some leeway.
“By the way, I stopped and turned to face her again, “do you know who the maid is that always wears a mask?”
The head maid looked puzzled, then glanced at the two other maids still working nearby, both wearing masks to shield themselves from the dust.
08:31 Mon, 14 Apr B B
Chapter 89
“Ms. Isabella, it’s normal for maids to wear masks. Which one do you mean?”
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I grimaced. My focus had been on the maid from last night, her unsettling movements so bizarre that I hadn’t noticed anyone else around.
“Never mind,” I said, brushing it off.
Once I was back in my room, a loud ring startled me. Evan’s name flashed across the screen. I quickly tucked the sketchbook into one of the drawers before answering his call, learning that he wouldn’t be returning to the mansion soon.
Evan sounded like he had run into some major issues, and I assumed it was related to his business.
However, shortly after our conversation, I went to check the drawer and found that the sketchbook was gone.
My breath caught in disbelief. Someone is definitely watching me!
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