Perfect
Chapter 13 – The Spy Revealed
The mansion was quieter than usual, the kind of quiet that pressed against your ears. Catty moved down the corridor with a tray of fresh linens, trying to focus on her work, but the sense of unease wouldn't leave her. Something felt off—like the air itself was holding its breath.
She rounded the corner near the east wing and froze. There, leaning against the wall, was Lara, pretending to inspect a painting but clearly watching her.
"Good evening," Lara said smoothly, eyes narrowing slightly. "Busy tonight?"
Catty's hands tightened around the tray. "I… I'm just doing my job."
Lara's lips curved in a faint, calculating smile. "Of course. I'd hate for anyone to get in trouble for curiosity."
Catty's stomach knotted. Something about Lara's presence screamed danger. "I… I should get back to work."
"Take your time," Lara replied, stepping aside, letting Catty pass—but her eyes didn't leave her for a second.
---
In the kitchen, Isabella's heels clicked sharply. She had been observing from a distance and now approached with a tray of dishes.
"You're serving him tonight," Isabella said, voice low and pointed. "Make sure you do it perfectly. Mistakes aren't forgiven."
Catty's hands shook slightly, but she nodded. "I will."
Isabella's glare lingered. "Good. I'll be watching."
---
That evening, Logan reviewed surveillance footage in the study. The flicker of movement in the east wing had intensified, and one figure—clearly not a servant—stood out.
"She's pushing too far," Ethan said quietly, leaning over the monitors.
Logan's amber eyes narrowed. "Let her. One wrong move, and the consequences will be… memorable."
---
Later, Catty walked down the east wing again, drawn by an instinct she could not explain. Her hands trembled slightly as she passed the slightly open door that had caught her attention before. A faint metallic scent filled the air.
The memory hit her again: shadows, hands gripping hers, muffled voices calling a name she did not recognize. She pressed her palms against her chest, trying to steady her breathing. Fifteen years ago… but where?
Suddenly, a soft whisper came from behind.
"Curiosity can be dangerous," Lara said, stepping from the shadows. Her eyes glimmered with something sharp, calculating.
Catty spun around. "I-I'm just… checking."
Lara's gaze was unwavering. "Some doors shouldn't be opened. Some secrets are best left alone."
---
In the kitchen, Isabella watched from a distance, tension simmering. She stormed forward without hesitation.
"Get away from her!" Isabella shouted, startling both girls.
Lara released Catty immediately, spinning to face Isabella. "This doesn't concern you," she hissed.
"It concerns me because she's in my house," Isabella snapped. "And I decide who touches her."
The two women stared each other down, tension thick enough to choke on. Catty, trembling, stepped back.
"You're safe now," Isabella said, softer, glancing at Catty before turning back to Lara. "But don't think I won't interfere next time."
Lara's smile was thin and sharp. "Next time, perhaps I won't be so polite."
---
Later, Logan watched from the study. The monitors had captured the altercation, and his amber eyes were sharp and calculating. He could see the tension, the hostility, and the subtle threat Lara represented.
"Ethan," he said quietly, "prepare a team. She won't make it through the night without trying something reckless."
"Yes, sir," Ethan replied, expression unreadable.
---
That night, Catty returned to her quarters, heart still racing. She couldn't stop thinking about Lara, the strange flashes of memory, and the tension with Isabella. Her life in the mansion was more dangerous than she had imagined—and she had only just begun to understand it.
She sat on her bed, tracing the crimson lotus note in her pocket. The memory of her childhood, fragmented and hazy, pressed against her mind: a door, shadows, hands gripping hers. She didn't understand it yet, but she knew something important was hidden in that memory.
For the first time, Catty realized the mansion was far more than it seemed. Every shadow could be a threat. Every glance could hide a secret.
And somewhere in the shadows, Lara's spying had crossed the line. One misstep could expose her—or worse, place Catty directly in danger.