Chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past
Julian stood abruptly, the grandeur of the foyer suddenly feeling like an suffocating cage. ""Leo, go to your study room with Mrs. Higgins. Now.""
""Daddy, please—"" Leo pleaded, clutching Elena's hand with white knuckles.
""Leo. Go,"" Julian instructed firmly, his voice cracking slightly despite his effort to remain impenetrable. The head housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins, stepped out from the arched corridor, eyes downcast, and gently guided the boy away.
Once the sound of small footsteps faded upstairs, Julian turned to Elena. ""Who taught you those words?""
Elena stood on shaking legs, smoothing her black uniform apron. ""No one taught me, Mr. Vance. I’ve sung that song since I was a little girl. It was the only thing I remembered after the car crash six years ago.""
Victoria let out a sharp, mocking laugh. ""What a convenient amnesiac story! Julian, can’t you see she’s an operative sent by your business rivals? She researched Clara’s diary, faked a car wreck, and infiltrated our house to extract millions! Throw her out into the street!""
""If it was in Clara’s diary,"" Julian countered, his voice dangerously low, ""why didn't you know it, Victoria? You were Clara’s twin sister. You claimed you shared every memory from childhood.""
Victoria’s breath hitched. Her scarlet lips parted, but no sound escaped. Her gaze darted toward the grand entrance, as though calculating an exit.
Elena looked directly at Victoria, her eyes widening as pieces of an obscured past suddenly aligned. ""You... I know your voice. Six years ago in the clinic room... you were standing over my bed when they tied my wrists down.""
Victoria snapped her head toward Elena, eyes blazing with venom. ""Shut your lying mouth!""
May you like
Julian intercepted Victoria before she could strike, grasping her wrist in a vice-like grip. ""Enough. Elena stays in the east wing guest quarters under my direct supervision. Nobody enters or leaves this mansion until I get answers.""
Victoria glared, but as Julian pulled Elena toward the private study, Victoria retreated into the shadows of the gallery hall, whispering into her phone: ""The clinic in Zurich didn't finish the job. Bring the cleanup crew before Julian runs her DNA.""
