Chapter 7
Emma looked back at the sprawling thirty-room mansion as firemen cleared the main lobby of fake smoke.
The guests were beginning to trickle back inside, guided by staff members offering fresh glasses of champagne.
“Stay right here in these bushes, Ethan,” Emma instructed, pulling her phone from her pocket and handing it to him.
“If anyone comes near this hedge, hit the speed dial button for the police immediately.”
“Where are you going?” Ethan begged, terror returning to his voice.
“I’m going back inside to get those papers,” Emma declared, her voice cold, steady, and immovable.
She adjusted her yellow cleaning gloves, standing up and slipping back toward the side servant entrance.
The service door had been left unlocked by the fleeing catering staff during the chaotic fire evacuation.
Emma slipped inside the quiet kitchen, dodging past frantic chefs who were busy trying to save the burnt food orders.
She moved like a ghost through the back stairwell, bypassing the main floor and heading straight for the third story.
The grand hallway of the master suite was empty, lit by soft wall sconces casting long shadows down the corridor.
Emma walked up to Isabella’s private dressing room, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
She pushed the heavy mahogany door open, stepping onto the plush white carpet surrounding an elaborate vanity mirror.
Sitting on the vanity table was a half-empty glass of red wine, a diamond necklace, and a small leather notebook.
May you like
Emma approached the large gilded mirror on the wall, reaching behind the carved frame to feel for the hidden safe.
Her fingers brushed against a cold digital keypad mounted directly into the wall studs behind the mirror.
