The Mask of Deception

down on her. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding that seemed to seep into every corner of the house. Books lay

ooks, something fluttered from

itated, her fingers hovering above it. Something about the letter felt si

, the door flew open. Evelyn storm

barked, her voice sharp en

eflexively. "I-I was cleaning. It just fell

from Emily's hands, clutching it to her chest as though it were a lifeline. "Where

y. "On the shelf, ma'

r-scream, echoing off the room's ornat

ars welled in her eyes, but she forced herself to nod, bli

grip on the letter remained unyielding. "Get ou

er sleek business attire giving her an air of authority. Her sharp eyes move

Margaret demanded, her t

her back, forcing a tight-lipped smi

r back. Not wanting to draw more attention, she slipped

yn, her expression hard. "Mom, you've been acting

what you're talking about," she said dismissively, her voice

eflect. I saw how you reacted j

her ground. "It's nothing you need to

his conversation isn't over," she said fir

haky breath. Her trembling hands unfolded the letter, her eyes

-

r heels against the polished marble echoed sharply, matching the rhythm of her thoughts. H

her day, her secretary approa

began hesitantly,

narrowed. "What

er voice shaky. "They're getting nervo

ed. "Why? I've been workin

"Another investor backed out yesterda

et the board on a call-now," sh

the entrance. Margaret turned to see a familiar figur

ed, his voice boomi

ing off the guards trying to restrain him. His ex

Margaret demanded, her vo

ou've been avoiding me," he said, his voice l

rgaret shot back. "I'm in the

grip firm. "You can't keep

on't have time for your theatrics," she hisse

hone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, he

talk. Meet me at the L

athan

that carried power, wealth, and a reputation

-

arrival. Margaret barely had time to compose herself b

rs," Evelyn began, her ton

o a thin line. "I'm handlin

re the message from Jonathan still lingered. "

pped up. "How do yo

yes. "The Lancasters have always

garet's spine. "Why

nk it was relevant. Just... be careful, Margaret. J

ened. "I know that.

Emily stumbled in, her face pale. Evelyn reacted

doing here?" she demanded, her tone raz

led. "Nothing th

sts slammed onto the desk. "Enoug

d at Emily, then back at Margaret. The weight of her secrets s