The Mask of Deception

r. The flickering light of an old chandelier cast long shadows, making the space feel more like a

door. The hinges groaned as she pushed it ope

urtly, her voice devoid of emotion. She g

, and a cracked mirror hanging unevenly. A faint chill lingered in the air, and the dim light from a single bulb

ordered, already turning to le

Margaret didn't even look back. Her heels clicked sharply as s

layed in her mind like a whirlwind. Evelyn's fear, the way Margaret had grabbed her earlier, the se

r pale skin. She traced it with her fingers, her thoughts swirling. Evelyn's reaction to i

eath catching in her throat. The sound of footsteps grew louder, deli

d Evelyn stepped inside,

low and sharp. The intensity in her tone sent a shiver down E

r voice barely a

er lips tightened into a thin line. "If you value your life, don't

pond, another voice cu

ques

argaret entered the room. Her arms were cros

an, trying to compose

licked between Evelyn and Emily, suspicion brewing in her ex

ng icy. "That's enough. You don't n

oom, her steps echoing in the hallway. Margaret's smile

grabbed Emily's hair

ing," she hissed, her voice drippi

pringing to her eyes.

. "Remember that," she said coldly before

dy her breath. She had never felt so trapped. Something was dee

aped as she heard footsteps approaching the garden below her window. Th

ide. Under the dim glow of the moon, she saw Evelyn s

trace it back to us," the man

s, but the shadows obscured his face. His post

, her voice strained but fir

arp. "But this girl... she looks too muc

Her tone dropped to a dangerous

Who were they talking

. "This company cannot fall. Do y

Do you think I don't know what's at stake?

e air, each one tightening the

d around, and she saw the source-a picture frame had fall

as both Evelyn and the man tu

e man said quickly

as cold and clip

e man's footsteps retreat. She dared another glance out the window, watchi

ed on the house. Then, with a final glance

's room burst ope

Margaret demanded, her

eet. "Nothing," she stam

. She strode across the room, grabbing Emily's a

sted, her voice s

rom Emily's. "You have no idea what you've walked int

meet Margaret's glare. "I wasn't snooping

ing her with a shove. "G

and stormed out, slamm

his house wasn't just filled with secrets-it