Isadora quickly assessed the danger she was in as she distanced herself from Maxwell. She could feel the weight of his wife's glare, her eyes piercing through Isadora like sharp daggers, filled with venom and hostility.
"What's going on here?" She asked again as Maxwell walked up to where she was standing.
Isadora observed Maxwell and his wife engaged in a tense conversation, their body language screaming discomfort. Though she couldn't quite make out the specifics of their discussion, Maxwell's hushed tones and his wife's subsequent smile hinted at a sinister exchange. The wife's gaze then shifted to Isadora, her eyes flashing a menacing warning before she departed the room, arm in arm with Maxwell.
As she stood there, lost in thought, her phone suddenly vibrated with an incoming message from Maxwell. His text was brief and to the point: "Meet Marcus in the car outside. He'll drive you home."
Without hesitation, Isadora exited the room, her focus fixed on her departure. The empty office was a mere blur as she hastened out of the building, her senses heightened by the intense gazes of the workers. Once outside, she swiftly entered the waiting car, where Marcus was ready to hit the road.
"It's almost time for the girls to be done with school for today. Do you want to head home first before picking them up, or go straight from here?" Marcus asked.
Isadora glanced at her watch and replied, "Let's go straight from here. We'll barely have to wait at all." With a nod, Marcus put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb.
After a prolonged drive, they reached the girls' school and parked in the lot, waiting for the school day to conclude. Isadora sat in silence, lost in thought, when her phone suddenly buzzed with a text from an unidentified number.
She tapped on the message to reveal the words, "I know you left the mansion on Saturday night."
A wave of fear washed over her as she frantically scanned her surroundings, her eyes darting back and forth to see if anyone was observing her. Then, her gaze snapped back to her phone, her heart racing with anxiety.
"Who are you?" She hesitantly texted back.
"Isadora, that's irrelevant right now," the message said. "Maxwell wants to know if you left the house on Saturday night, which I've known all along but kept quiet for your sake. But after what happened in the office today, he's convinced you're the same woman from the party - a fact we both know to be true."
"Please you have to help me, he can't find out that I left the mansion, I can't imagine what he'll do to me if he finds out," she replied immediately, hoping the person would help her out.
"You should have thought twice before leaving the mansion. I know your motives were to safeguard Sophia, and for that same reason, I'll aid you. By helping you, I'll be betraying my Master's trust, but I'll make an exception this once. Despite your pregnancy with his child, he won't hesitate to take ruthless actions. I'll assist you this one time, considering your precarious situation," the unknown number replied.
"Thank you very much, I'm grateful," she typed back, having no option than to trust the unknown person.
"No thanks necessary, just be more mindful next time. Store my number as 'Nurse M' and wipe this conversation from your phone. I know Maxwell's capabilities, and if you need help again, reach out to this number and delete the message at once. I'll be there to support you, but prioritize your safety above all. Goodbye." With that the conversation ended.
Isadora followed the unknown person's instructions, saving the number and deleting the conversation before putting her phone away. She couldn't help but wonder how this individual was so well-informed about Maxwell's affairs, suggesting a close connection. Shaking off the thought, she turned her attention to Marcus, who was waiting patiently. As the school bell rang, signaling dismissal, Isadora got out to collect the girls, and they all headed home together.
As they entered the house, Isadora was escorting Piper to her bedroom when the curious child suddenly inquired, "Aunty Isadora, I've noticed you've been walking funny lately. Is everything okay with your leg?"
Isadora reassuringly replied, "Oh, I just had a minor mishap, but I'm perfectly fine."
Piper expressed her concern with a sweet apology, "Sorry about that, Aunty." They reached Piper's room, and she went inside, while Isadora continued on to her own room.
Isadora entered her room, exhausted, and collapsed onto the bed. A knock at the door broke the silence, and she bid the person enter.
A mansion staff member appeared, delivering a message: "Madam requests your presence in the mini library."
Isadora nodded, "I'll be right there." The staff member departed, leaving Isadora with a sense of unease. She knew she was in grave trouble, and Maxwell's latest move was only making her life even more unbearable, she thought to herself.
Isadora rose from the bed and made her way to the mini library, where she found Maxwell's wife ensconced in a stately pose. The woman was seated with her legs crossed, adorned in an elegant dress, and her eyes were fixed on a book behind stylish glasses, exuding an air of refinement and sophistication.
The mini library was a cozy, intimate space with walls lined with tall bookshelves, filled with volumes of various sizes and colors. The room was dimly lit, with soft light emanating from table lamps, and a plush carpet covered the floor. A comfortable seating area with leather armchairs and a fireplace added to the warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect retreat for reading and relaxation.
"Ma, you summoned me," Isadora said, breaking into Mrs. Adriana's focus.
The woman's gaze shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. "So, you're Isadora," she stated, her tone firm.
"Yes, ma'am," Isadora replied, her voice cautious. "Then kneel down, raise your hand, and close your eyes!" Mrs. Adriana ordered, her command sudden and stern.
Isadora's eyes widened in shock, her only response a barely audible "What?"