Chapter 2: The Ghost in the Machine
The ballroom fell into an eerie, suffocating silence. The guests exchanged confused, nervous glances as the heavy oak doors were bolted shut by security guards in tactical gear. Vanessa’s smile faltered, replaced by a jittery, nervous irritation.
"Julian, darling, what is the meaning of this? You’re making a spectacle of yourself," she laughed, though the sound was shrill.
"I’m done with spectacles, Vanessa," Julian said, his eyes fixated on the maid. He walked toward her, his footsteps echoing like a countdown.
The socialite thought the maid was just invisible help, a servant to be ignored. But as Julian stopped in front of the woman, he didn't address her as a servant. He watched her hands—the same hands that had been scarred during that boating accident five years ago.
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"You thought you buried her," Julian whispered to the room, his gaze locking with Vanessa’s. "But secrets don't stay buried when the ground begins to shift."
He turned to the maid and reached out, his touch trembling as he brushed the flour from her cheek. The ballroom gasped as the maid slowly lifted her head. Elena Ashford, the woman who had been dead for half a decade, stood before them, her eyes reflecting a lethal, untouchable power.
