Chapter 8 – Intruders Among Us
Rain had stopped, leaving the mansion's garden glistening under a pale morning sun. Catty walked along the hallways, carrying folded linens, her green eyes catching every flicker of movement. Something felt… off.
Sofia appeared beside her, brow furrowed. "You feel it too, don't you?"
"What? The storm?" Catty asked, unsure.
"No… something else. The house is tense. Everyone's moving differently. Guards whispering. You should keep to the main halls."
Catty nodded but her curiosity prickled. She couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was watching her.
---
In the east wing, a new face appeared: a girl no older than Catty, moving quietly, adjusting her apron. Her name tag read Lara, polite and unassuming. But her sharp eyes scanned the halls constantly, memorizing positions and routines.
"Good morning," Catty said cautiously, offering a smile.
"Good morning," Lara replied sweetly. But there was a sharpness behind her tone, a subtle calculation that made Catty's stomach tighten.
Sofia whispered to Catty later, "Keep an eye on her. She's new… and too perfect."
Catty frowned. "Why would that matter?"
"Trust your instincts," Sofia said, turning away.
---
Meanwhile, Logan's amber eyes scanned reports on the surveillance monitors. His minor wound had been treated quickly, but the incident at the docks left a sour taste. Crimson Lotus had been too prepared—too careful.
"This doesn't feel finished," he muttered. Ethan, leaning silently in the doorway, simply nodded.
"You're right," Ethan said. "They're testing us. Someone inside may be feeding them information."
Logan's jaw tightened. "Keep your eyes open. Especially for anyone pretending to be harmless."
---
Later that afternoon, Catty was organizing the main dining room when Isabella approached, voice sharp.
"You're moving around a lot," Isabella said, eyes narrowing. "Curious little maid."
"I'm just doing my job," Catty replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Isabella leaned closer. "Be careful. Not everyone in this house likes visitors… even if they smile politely."
Catty's hands trembled slightly as she realized Isabella's jealousy wasn't just about Logan—it was about control, territory.
---
Hours passed, and the mansion felt alive with whispers. Lara followed Catty quietly, always a step behind, helping when needed but observing more than assisting. Catty noticed small things: the way Lara's eyes lingered on guard routines, how she memorized door locks, and how she seemed particularly interested in Logan's study.
By evening, Logan returned from a short inspection. He barely acknowledged Catty at first, but when she passed by with a towel, his amber gaze lingered.
"Careful," he said softly, almost a whisper. "Keep out of restricted areas."
Catty nodded, heart racing. There was something about his voice—authoritative, dangerous, yet strangely protective. She felt it in her chest, a tiny spark she couldn't name.
---
Later, the dinner hall buzzed with the quiet hum of servants and staff. Catty was refilling water when she noticed Lara subtly slip a folded note under a plate. Her curiosity flared—what could it be?
Before she could react, Isabella's sharp voice rang behind her.
"What are you staring at?" Isabella hissed.
"Nothing," Catty replied quickly, slipping the note into her pocket.
Isabella's glare could cut through steel. "Be careful. You may not know what you're meddling with."
---
That night, as the mansion grew quiet, Catty sat in her small quarters, examining the folded note. It contained a symbol she didn't recognize—a crimson lotus mark, elegant and menacing.
Her stomach dropped. She realized she had stumbled onto something far larger than herself. The rival group was here. And they knew enough to send a warning, subtly, through someone pretending to be harmless.
A faint noise outside the door made her freeze. She held her breath, listening. Footsteps. Quick. Measured. Then silence.
She didn't know if it was Lara, Isabella, or someone else. All she knew was that the danger had just stepped closer.
---
At the same time, Logan sat in the study, reviewing the mansion's internal logs. A flicker caught his eye—a camera briefly blocked, a shadow moving along the east wing corridors.
"Someone's inside," he murmured, voice low. Ethan leaned beside him, expression unreadable.
"I'll find them," Ethan said.
Logan's jaw tightened. "No. Not yet. Let them make a mistake. That's when we act."