Laughter echoed down the long, cold corridor of Brooks Mansion.Sadash paused mid-sweep, frowning. She could hear it wicked laughter, sharp and cruel. It didn't sound like joy. It sounded like mockery… like evil.
She blinked, her heart suddenly pounding.
Why are they laughing like that? Curiosity—and instinct—gripped her. Quiet as a shadow, she tiptoed toward the source of the sound. A door had been left slightly ajar. She pressed her back against the wall and leaned in, just enough to listen without being seen.
And then her blood ran cold.
"She really is a fool," Rose sneered, her voice thick with venom. "She thinks I'm warming up to her. That I care. But she's falling right into our trap. Once she trusts and loves me completely… she'll do anything I ask."
Sadash's eyes widened in horror.
"She'll obey every command," Rose continued, laughing darkly. "And when that happens… she will be the one to kill her own parents. "What a pity," Charles added with a sinister grin in his tone. Rose let out a wicked cackle. "Can you imagine the headlines? The most celebrated surgeon in all of New York, Aurora Brooks kills her own parents in cold blood."
"And that scumbag boyfriend of hers won't be able to lift a finger to save her," Charles said smugly. "She'll rot in jail… and die there."
Both of them burst into another fit of maniacal laughter. "This was my plan all along, Rose," Charles said. "But you kept underestimating me. Just keep getting closer to her. Earn her trust. When the time is right, we'll poison her mind against Kim."
He paused, then added with chilling calmness:"I still remember the night I kidnapped her from her crib. Her mother was fast asleep… so peacefully unaware. If only she knew what was happening under her roof."
He laughed again.
"Oh, Hazel Riverson… the only heir to the Riverson Empire. And soon, she'll be the one to end her own bloodline. This is going to be fun."
Sadash gasped.
Her hand flew to her chest as the truth hit her like a train."Oh my God… Aurora was kidnapped? My dear girl is Hazel Riverson?!"
Tears welled in her eyes."How could they… how could they be so vile? I have to tell her Aurora and Jake need to know. Right now!"
But just as she turned to run, panic made her clumsy. Her foot caught the corner of a table, and she stumbled, knocking over a porcelain vase. It shattered to pieces on the marble floor.CRASH.
Charles' voice boomed from inside.
"Who's there?! Who the hell is there?!"
The door flung open violently. He stormed out, eyes wild only to find Sadash crouched, frantically trying to sweep the shards.
He let out a breath of relief."Oh… Sadash. It's you." She stood slowly, still trembling.
"I can't believe what I just heard," she said, her voice quaking with fury. "How can you be so wicked? What has Aurora ever done to deserve this? You want to manipulate her into killing her own parents?! This is inhuman!"
Charles narrowed his eyes.
"I swear," she continued, voice rising, "I will tell her everything your evil, disgusting plans. She deserves to know who she really is. All she ever wanted was love from you monsters, and you—"
"You will do no such thing!" Charles snarled.
Before she could react, he lunged forward and grabbed her wrist tightly, his grip cruel and bruising."Let me go!" Sadash screamed, struggling.In a burst of desperation, she reached for another vase near the entrance—her fingers wrapped around it—and with a loud grunt, she slammed it against Charles' head.
THUD.
He staggered back, letting out a guttural groan of pain. Blood trickled from his temple as he collapsed to the floor with a grunt, clutching his head.Sadash didn't wait.
She bolted from the room, breathing heavily, panic surging like wildfire. "I have to tell Aurora—now!" she gasped, tearing through the hallway, her hands trembling as she dug through her apron. "Where the heck is my damn phone? Think, Sadash—think!"
Back inside the room, Charles groaned, still on his knees."Rose…" he croaked. She ran in moments later, horrified to find him bleeding. "Charles! Oh my God you're hurt! What happened?!"
"It doesn't matter," he snarled. "We need to get rid of Sadash now. She knows everything." Rose's face went pale.
"WHAT?! "She went that way!" he shouted, pointing down the corridor. "If she gets to Aurora, it's over for us."
"Don't worry," Rose hissed. "We'll shut that stinking old woman up for good." She grabbed his arm. "Come on, get up. We don't have time. "I'm fine. Let's go," he muttered, his face twisted in rage. They disappeared down the hall, hunting Sadash like wolves on the scent of blood.