THE SAPPHIRE LEGACY

ng, crisp and sharp. My nerves were alive, and it caused me to buzz w

something else lingered in the air-a feeling I

he wind. I found my heels clicking against the pavement, their rhythm stead

at tingling sensation a

king, pretending to adjust the strap of m

mpty sidewalks

e it easy, Sophie," I said, conv

se spiked. A man stood at the mouth

obscured his face. He didn't move. He didn't speak.

strap of my bag. My pace quickened, the towering

didn't ease. When I finally dared

o keep moving. Paranoia wouldn't help me now. I coul

matching the growing weight in my chest. Beyond them, the mansion loomed like a monument

r ever-ready clipboard tucked under one arm. Her sharp eyes

she said, her

w I wasn't. She handed me a checklist, as she t

l's private wing. Everything must be flaw

ered like a soldier

hanger and made her way down the marble corridor.

rs glittered, the chandeliers sparkled, and the air carried a faint,

ught behind it, from the artwork on the walls to the arra

double doors, Maria stop

't part of your task," she said

r open and signall

I had seen before: sleek, modern, and

nder the soft sunlight. Bookshelves lined one wall, thei

that of cedar and leather, a scent

carefully dusting its edges and st

adily, but my mind

as any item could hold a clue about Adr

rows of tailored suits hung in a specific order

, and ties were organised as if they were gems being presen

of items to clean, my elbow brush

p of each other. It froze my steps. Slowly, I turned to see what had ca

t between curiosity and fear. This was it-th

ay to ensure I was still alone then

lding a closed laptop and a stack of files. The walls were bare, except

e files looked a bit old with their edges worn from frequent handl

g, Adrian?" I whisp

ts. Numbers, dates, and names sprang out at me like pie

needed? Could it prove Adrian

deeper, a sound hit

tst

rate, and unmistakably h

no way out, no place to hide. The onl

closet doors