I nodded once, my expression neutral, my voice respectful. "Yes, Ma'am…" I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. Then, I turned and walked out of the guest room, my mind already racing with the implications of what had just transpired.
The door clicked shut behind me, and a moment later, I heard the sound of the lock engaging from the inside. Madeline had closed herself in, leaving me standing in the hallway, the weight of her gaze still lingering on my skin.
The hallway was empty now—no Marina, no Lila, no Cindy. Just a few maids moving about, their heads bowed, their movements efficient and silent.
The atmosphere was tense, charged with the aftermath of Madeline's arrival and the shift in power dynamics. I leaned against the wall, my mind racing, my phone buzzing in my pocket like a live wire.
I pulled it out, my fingers moving quickly over the screen. The message was from Marina. The words were short, direct, laced with urgency and cunning:
