Morning broke.The thick, jet - black blackout curtains were drawn apart by a couple of fingers, creating a narrow slit. A thin beam of cold light refracted through the glass and sliced into the temperature - controlled master bedroom, casting a straight band of brightness across the elaborate patterns of the carpet.Vivienne sat at the mahogany dressing table. She picked up a pair of medical - grade stainless - steel scissors from a tray. With a swift movement, she began cutting the bandage on her left wrist. The pure - white cotton split, and she peeled it away, revealing dark - red scabs on her arm. The new flesh at the edges had an eerie, blue - black tinge.From the corridor came the sound of footsteps. Light, yet their pace was a third faster than normal. They stopped outside the study. The brass doorknob turned, and the assistant entered, carrying a kraft - paper document pouch. There were no labels; just a drop of dark - red wax sealed it.A gentle breeze from the air - condit
Last Updated : 2026-05-08 Read more