Chapter 9 - THE PERSON INSIDE THE HOUSE
The archive room looked like a storm had passed through it.
Drawers were open.
Documents were scattered everywhere.
The security team searched every corner.
But the thief was gone.
Julian stood in the middle of the room.
“This was planned.”
Mara looked around.
“How do you know?”
“Because they didn’t steal money.”
He picked up a broken lock.
“They only wanted one thing.”
The truth.
A security officer approached.
“We checked the cameras.”
Julian turned.
“And?”
“Someone disabled them for three minutes.”
Mara looked at Celeste.
Celeste noticed.
“You think it was me?”
Mara didn’t answer.
That was enough.
Celeste became angry.
“After everything, you still think I’m the only person capable of lying?”
Julian looked between them.
“She’s right about one thing.”
Mara looked surprised.
Julian continued.
“There are people in this house with secrets.”
That afternoon, Julian questioned every employee.
Everyone denied knowing anything.
Until the head housekeeper finally broke down.
“I saw someone.”
Julian stepped forward.
“Who?”
The woman looked terrified.
“I don’t know his name.”
“What did he look like?”
She hesitated.
“Like someone who belonged here.”
Mara frowned.
“What does that mean?”
The woman whispered:
“He knew the security codes.”
Julian’s expression changed.
Because only a few people knew those codes.
Including Celeste.
That evening, Mara found Celeste alone in the hallway.
“You knew about the codes.”
Celeste looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Did you give them to someone?”
Celeste stayed silent.
Mara shook her head.
“I can’t believe you.”
Celeste suddenly grabbed her arm.
“Listen to me.”
Mara pulled away.
“Don’t touch me.”
Celeste lowered her voice.
“If you keep digging, you’re going to discover things you wish you never knew.”
Mara stared.
“Is that a threat?”
“No.”
Celeste looked terrified.
“It’s a warning.”
Before Mara could respond, Julian appeared.
“Warning about what?”
Celeste froze.
Julian walked closer.
“What were you going to tell her?”
Celeste looked at both of them.
Then she whispered:
“The person who destroyed Anna Ellison’s life is still alive.”
Julian’s face changed.
“Who?”
Celeste looked toward the second floor.
Toward the old family wing.
May you like
And said:
“Someone you trust.”
