Chapter 1: cold introduction
Catty stared at the gates of the mansion, the black iron twisting upward like fingers reaching for the sky. She tightened her grip on the strap of her bag, her stomach fluttering nervously. The grandeur of the place was intimidating; every shadow seemed sharper, every step heavier, and every whisper of wind through the trees carried a hint of danger.
"Miss Catty," a soft voice called. Catty turned to see a maid with dark hair and sharp eyes, her expression unreadable. "You will be working here from today. Follow me."
"Yes… thank you," Catty said, trying to steady her voice.
As she followed the senior maid through the towering doors, the mansion's interior swallowed her in silence. Marble floors gleamed beneath her shoes, chandeliers cast flickering light, and the faint scent of polished wood mixed with something sharper — iron, perhaps, or the weight of authority itself.
"Your quarters are this way," the maid said, guiding her down a long corridor. "Isabella will assign your tasks. She oversees all new staff."
Catty's stomach clenched. She had heard rumors about Isabella — seductive, dangerous, precise with a knife, cunning with people. And yet, when Isabella appeared, her sharp smile seemed almost disarming.
"Ah," Isabella purred, eyes glinting as she regarded Catty. "A new face. You'll find things… interesting here. Don't get lost." She stepped closer, her gaze lingering just long enough to make Catty's cheeks warm. Then she turned and walked away, leaving a faint chill in her wake.
Before Catty could even process the encounter, another voice spoke up from the hallway.
"Hey, don't let her scare you too much," a cheerful tone said. Catty looked up to see a girl with soft brown hair and sparkling eyes, grinning mischievously. "Name's Sofia. You'll survive here if you keep your wits about you—and a sense of humor helps too."
Catty blinked, feeling a small spark of relief. "I… I hope so," she said softly.
Sofia nudged her shoulder lightly. "You'll be fine. Just remember: watch the shadows, mind your manners, and avoid Isabella's wrath. Mostly. She likes to test newbies."
As they walked toward the west wing, Catty noticed other staff moving with a precision that made her nervous. A tall boy leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes golden and calculating. He glanced at her, gave a small nod, then returned to his post. There was a subtle sense of protection in the gesture, though she didn't know his name yet.
"Who's that?" Catty whispered to Sofia.
"Ethan," Sofia said, rolling her eyes. "Quiet type. Protective, but he doesn't say much. You'll want to stay on his good side. He notices everything."
Catty swallowed, nodding as she focused on keeping her steps careful.
---
Her first task was simple: deliver a basket of linens to the west wing. Easy enough, except the corridors seemed to stretch endlessly, every creak under her feet echoing like a warning. Shadows clung to the corners, and Catty's hands trembled as she adjusted the basket.
"Careful with that!" Sofia whispered, darting ahead to guide her. "This place eats newbies for breakfast. Trust me, I've survived three months without being flattened by Isabella yet."
Catty managed a small smile. "I… I hope I can survive."
Sofia grinned. "Of course! Just keep your eyes open, your ears open, and your mouth closed… mostly."
As they rounded a corner, Catty nearly collided with someone.
"Watch it!" a voice snapped. A boy, tall and muscular, with dark hair and sharp features, shot her a glare. His eyes softened slightly when he realized she wasn't there to cause trouble. "First day nerves, huh?"
Catty nodded, embarrassed. "Yes… sorry."
The boy's lips twitched into the smallest of smirks. "Don't worry. You'll learn quickly. Just… keep out of restricted areas, or you'll meet Isabella sooner than you want."
Catty felt her pulse quicken. Restricted areas? What could possibly be hidden here?
---
By the time she reached the west wing, she set the basket down with care, aware of every shadow stretching along the walls. A faint movement caught her eye — someone crouched low in the corner, seemingly observing her.
"Who's there?" she whispered, voice barely audible.
Nothing. Just silence, thick and heavy, pressing down on her.
Sofia stepped forward. "Relax. Just one of the security staff. They watch everyone here. You'll get used to it."
Catty nodded, trying to steady her shaking hands. But when Isabella appeared again, gliding through the corridor like a predator, Catty felt a chill run down her spine.
"You're… careful," Isabella said, her tone smooth but laced with something sharper. "Don't get too confident." She lingered a moment, then walked away. Catty's stomach twisted at the intensity of the gaze.
---
Later, returning to the main wing, Catty caught her first glimpse of Logan — silent, commanding, and terrifying. He stood at the top of the grand staircase, eyes like amber fire, observing the staff and the newcomers without a word. Catty froze, feeling the weight of his presence, though he didn't even speak to her.
Sofia whispered, nudging her gently. "Don't worry about him for now. Just survive your first day. That's all that matters."
Catty's mind was racing. She had barely arrived, and already the mansion felt alive, dangerous, and impossible to navigate. Shadows moved, glances measured her, and whispers hinted at secrets she didn't yet understand.
By the time she returned to her quarters, exhaustion settled over her like a heavy blanket. She had survived the first day — but only just. Every glance, every whispered warning, every subtle threat in this mansion reminded her that this world demanded awareness, courage, and the ability to read people at all times.
Somewhere in the shadows, Isabella's eyes were still watching, assessing, already plotting. And Logan… Logan's silent presence loomed over everything, his revenge and obsession simmering just beneath the surface.
Catty took a deep breath, clutching the linens against her chest. Tomorrow, she would need to be smarter, quicker, and braver. The mansion would test her every step, and she had no choice but to rise to the challenge.
This is a new story not the same as the devil revenge,catty was a mate instead not a revenge pawn
I hope you like this one
I will do my best to make it worth reading