Chapter 5: The Mole Within the Estate
Julian descended the grand staircase with deliberate slowness, adjusting his patterned tie to project an image of calm composure. The party guests had largely dispersed, escorted out by security under the guise of an unexpected plumbing emergency, leaving the lower-level corridors eerily quiet. The crystal chandelier still cast a brilliant, blinding light over the marble floor where Clara had fallen just an hour earlier.
As Julian approached the east drawing room, he noticed a sliver of light beneath the heavy mahogany double doors. He slowed his pace, walking silently on the thick Persian runner until he stood directly outside. Muted voices drifted through the wood.
"—the old man is suspicious," a woman’s voice hissed. It wasn't Evelyn. It belonged to Martha, the head housekeeper who had served the Sterling family for over twenty years.
"He doesn't have the physical files," Evelyn replied, her tone dripping with ice. "I shredded the hard copies from the study safe this morning. As long as Julian keeps him occupied with corporate restructuring, we have until dawn to wipe the digital drives."
Julian’s breath caught in his throat. Martha? The woman who had watched Clara grow up, who had baked her birthday cakes and mended her childhood dresses—she was part of Evelyn’s conspiracy.
"And the girl?" Martha asked, her voice dropping lower. "The baby?"
"A complication that will be resolved once the staff goes off shift," Evelyn said coldly. "Dr. Vance is arriving in twenty minutes. He’s on our payroll, Martha. He’ll administer a sedative under the guise of halting the contractions, but it will induce cardiac arrest in the fetus. We frame it as a tragic medical complication."
Julian stepped back, his oxfords clicking sharply against the floorboards despite his caution. Inside the drawing room, the voices abruptly stopped.
The heavy doors swung open, and Martha stood there holding a silver tray with empty crystal glasses. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Julian standing in the corridor, but her professional mask didn't slip.
"Mr. Julian," Martha said evenly. "Can I get you something from the cellar? You look pale."
"I’m fine, Martha," Julian replied, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. He forced a thin, corporate smile to his lips. "Just looking for Mr. Sterling. He asked me to check on the catering arrangements for the dawn meeting."
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Evelyn appeared behind Martha, her beige dress impeccably smooth, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Julian’s expression. "Arthur is still upstairs with Clara?"
"Yes," Julian lied smoothly, meeting Evelyn’s gaze without flinching. "He’s preoccupied with family matters. I suggest you wait in your suite, Evelyn. It’s going to be a long night."
