MasukI knew something was wrong the moment I entered the mansion that morning. The security guards were speaking quietly near the entrance. Mrs Adams was standing beside the reception table, looking worried, while Martha kept glancing towards the staircase. "What's happening?" I asked. Mrs Adams looked at me. "Miss Victoria has been asking everyone to gather in the sitting room." "Why?" "She says something has gone missing." My stomach tightened. "What?" "She hasn't told us yet." I exchanged a glance with Martha. Another accusation. Another attempt to create trouble. I followed Mrs Adams into the sitting room. Victoria was standing beside Daniel. Richard was seated on the sofa, looking irritated. A small velvet jewellery box sat on the table. Daniel looked at the box. "What exactly is missing?" Victoria turned towards him. "My mother's bracelet." Richard frowned. "Victoria, are you certain you brought it here?" "Of course I am." Daniel sighed. "Then why are you gath
I found Daniel in the garden. He was standing near the fountain with his hands in his pockets. The lights from the mansion reflected on the water, but he seemed too distracted to notice. "Sir?" He turned. "Thank you for coming." "Is something wrong?" He shook his head. "Not exactly." I stood a few steps away from him. "Did you need something?" "Can't I talk to you without needing something?" I lowered my eyes. "Of course you can." He gave a quiet laugh. "You're always so careful around me." I didn't respond. He looked towards the fountain. "I spoke to my solicitor today." "About the company?" "Yes. There are things my father left behind that I don't understand." I waited. "Richard has been telling me for months that I have to marry Victoria before certain matters can be resolved. But the documents don't seem to support everything he's been saying." I looked at him. "Perhaps you should wait until your solicitor finishes reviewing them." "That's what he advised."
I was in the kitchen when Martha walked in carrying a folded piece of paper. "Lily, this was left for you." I frowned. "For me?" She nodded. "It was delivered by one of the security men. He said someone came to the gate asking for you." My heart began beating faster. "Who?" "He didn't know. The person left this and walked away." I stared at the paper. There was no name on the envelope. I took it from her and opened it carefully. Inside was a short message. We need to talk about the information you provided when you applied for this job. Meet me outside the east gate at six. I read it twice. "What is it?" Martha asked. I quickly folded the paper. "Nothing." She looked at me suspiciously. "Lily." "Someone must have mistaken me for another person." "Then why are your hands shaking?" I looked down. I hadn't realised they were. "Martha, please. Don't tell anyone about this." She lowered her voice. "Is it Victoria?" "I don't know." "Then don't go anywhere alone."
The following morning, I was carrying a basket of freshly washed clothes towards the laundry room when Mrs Adams stopped me. "Lily, Miss Victoria wants you in her sitting room." I looked at her. "Did she say why?" "No. But she sounded rather serious." I placed the basket on the nearby table. "All right." Mrs Adams lowered her voice. "Be careful." I nodded and continued down the hallway. Victoria was standing beside the window when I entered. She wore a silk robe and held a cup of tea. "Good morning, ma'am." "Close the door." I obeyed. "Come closer." I walked towards her but kept a respectful distance. Victoria studied me. "Do you like working here?" "Yes, ma'am." "Why?" The question caught me off guard. "Because it's a good job." "Good salary?" "Yes." "Comfortable accommodation?" "Yes, ma'am." She nodded. "Then you should be grateful." I lowered my head. "I am." "Do you know how many women would be willing to take your position?" "Yes, ma'am." "Many."
I woke up that morning with an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. It wasn't because of the work waiting for me downstairs. I had already returned from my break, and my duties had become familiar again. It was because of Victoria. For the past few days, she had been watching me more closely than usual. Sometimes I would catch her staring when she thought I wasn't looking. Other times, she would suddenly appear wherever I was working, asking questions that seemed innocent but felt carefully planned. I knew she was searching for something. And I was beginning to fear that she might find it. I stood before the small mirror in my room, adjusting my wig and checking the edges of my makeup. My coloured contact lenses were uncomfortable, but I had grown used to them. I darkened the skin beneath my eyes, changed the shape of my eyebrows slightly, and practised the quiet expression Lily usually wore. Claire Bennett was not supposed to exist inside this mansion. Not yet. A knock interr
The next morning began with Ethan crying. I was carrying a basket of freshly folded clothes towards the upstairs rooms when I heard his voice coming from the nursery. “Don't go!” I stopped. A few seconds later, Daniel's voice followed. “Ethan, sweetheart, I have to go to work. I'll be back before dinner.” “No!” I placed the basket on a nearby table and hurried towards the nursery. Daniel was kneeling in front of his son, trying to calm him down. “What happened?” I asked. Daniel looked up. “Good morning, Lily.” Ethan immediately stretched his arms towards me. “Lily!” I went to him and lifted him. “What's wrong, sweetheart?” He buried his face against my shoulder. “Daddy is going away.” I rubbed his back. “Daddy has to work, but he'll come back.” “He always goes.” Daniel sighed. “I'm only going to the office.” Ethan began crying again. I looked at Daniel. “Perhaps you should spend a little more time with him before leaving.” “I have an important meeting.” “The







