Chapter 16 The Shattered Mask

• The morning unfolded in an atmosphere of tense anticipation. Every sound seemed amplified—the distant hum of voices from the staff, the faint creak of the manor’s old wooden floors. Sophia sat beside Adrian in the dining room, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her teacup. Across from her, Adrian was unusually quiet, his sharp gaze betraying the storm of emotions simmering beneath his composed exterior.
• “Do they have everything they need to confirm the source?” Sophia finally asked, breaking the silence.
• Adrian nodded, his jaw tightening. “The messages were traced to an account linked to someone in the manor. I’ll have answers by the end of the day.”