Chapter 3: The Shadow of Victoria's Deceit
For the next three days, Sophie was not allowed to leave the estate, nor was she allowed to return to the servant's quarters. Richard moved her into the east wing, giving her a lavish bedroom that had been untouched for two decades. It was Eleanor’s old room.
While Richard initiated a private, expedited DNA test to confirm the biological connection, a dark war was waging in the shadows of the mansion. Victoria was losing control. The fortune she had spent years securing for her own son, Julian, was suddenly under threat from this unexpected heir.
On the fourth night, a severe thunderstorm rolled over the city, plunging the estate into rolling blackouts. Sophie was lying in the massive canopy bed, unable to sleep. The secrets of the house felt heavy, pressing down on her chest. She slipped out of bed, holding a small flashlight, and walked to the window to watch the lightning.
Suddenly, she heard a soft click. Her bedroom door had been unlocked from the outside.
Sophie quickly retreated into the shadows near the heavy velvet curtains. The door creaked open, and a figure slipped into the room. A flash of lightning illuminated the intruder. It was Victoria.
In her hand, she held a large, heavy brass candlestick.
"Where are you, little rat?" Victoria whispered, her voice laced with madness. "You should have stayed in the gutter where I put your mother."
Sophie clamped a hand over her mouth, her blood turning to ice. Where I put your mother.
Victoria began frantically searching the room, tearing through the dresser drawers and overturning the bedside table. "I won't let you take this from me. I paid good money to have Eleanor disappear. I won't let her bastard child steal my life!"
The confession hung in the air, a horrifying admission of attempted murder. Twenty-two years ago, Victoria had orchestrated Eleanor's disappearance to ensure there were no other rivals for the family inheritance. And now, she was planning to finish the job.
Victoria approached the bed, raising the candlestick high. She brought it down violently, smashing it into the pillows where Sophie had been resting just moments before. Realizing the bed was empty, Victoria spun around, her eyes wild.
"I know you're in here," she hissed.
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Sophie knew she couldn't hide forever. She reached into her pocket, her fingers brushing against the folded photograph. It was time. If she was going to survive this night, the truth had to come out completely. She slipped out from behind the curtain and ran toward the door.
"Help!" Sophie screamed at the top of her lungs, throwing herself into the hallway. "Mr. Harrington! Help me!"
