The morning following her strange supper with Nathaniel, Amelia entered the big boardroom of Winters organizations, her head still jumbled with the repercussions of Victor's unexpected return and Nathaniel's cryptic warning. Rows of polished oak seats shone beneath the overhead lights, and the long glass desk was laden with neatly stacked documents, open laptops, and scattered coffee cups. Amelia took her seat, pulling her pen from her bag and attempting to seem calm despite the fact that she should still be feeling the effects of the night before.
The doors opened, and her gaze followed each of the board members as they entered—all of them powerful people in finance and strategy, but by hook or crook, they felt like pawns in a far bigger game. Just as she sat in her chair, she observed a familiar figure in the corner of the room. Lily, her maid, who was said to have a flair for appearing unexpectedly, showed up. Today, however, she was not dressed in her normal outfit. Instead, she chose a sleek black dress, modest but professional, with her dark hair carefully tied back. A clipboard lay in her palms as she strolled silently through the room, passing out coffee and straightening papers, her gaze never leaving a single detail.
Amelia couldn't ignore it any longer—Lily's constant presence wasn't an accident. The woman followed her wherever she went, as if she was studying Amelia and coming to know her with each pass. And now that she's in the boardroom, so close to her family's business dealings, Amelia's doubts have only grown stronger.
Since the assembly began, Amelia attempted to focus on the conversation, taking notes while the board members discussed quarterly reviews and upcoming mergers. But every time she looked up, Lily was there, lingering at the edge of her vision, her piercing stare seeming to capture every word spoken. Amelia felt a kick in her back. What do you think Lily wants with her? And why is she always present, always listening?
The discussion dragged on, numbers and projections falling into background noise while Amelia's recognition stayed discernible in the nook. While Lily continued to stare, she smiled faintly, as if amused by Amelia's attention. It transformed into the gentle, understanding smirk that made Amelia's skin prickle, the expression of someone who knew something she wasn't supposed to.
After the assembly, as the board contributors gathered their papers and filed out, Cassandra Winters approached Amelia, her face one of mild frustration as she watched her daughter.
"Darling," Cassandra began, her voice smooth and particular, "you must stop looking at that woman as if she is scheming anything. "It's beneath you."
Amelia averted her attention away from Lily, attempting to conceal her anxiety. "mom, haven't you observed how she's always there, constantly listening?"
"Maybe you're not the only one trying to improve their function," Cassandra replied, a slight smirk on her lips. "You have to know by now that ambition isn't constrained to circle of relatives."
Cassandra's words struck a chord, but Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that there was more at stake than just ambition. She held her voice calm, refusing to let her mother see the doubts gnawing at her. "Now it's more than just ambition. There's something additional.
Cassandra sighed and cast an impatient look at Amelia. "Amelia, you spend way too much time expecting things from others. Lily is a maid. She is aware of her position. She hesitated, her eyes tightening as she saw her daughter's distressed expression. "until… you're concerned she may recognise some thing she shouldn't?"
The inquiry hovered in the air, each syllable laced with a vague accusation. Amelia felt a spark of defensiveness. "I am no longer hiding anything, mama. However, you might want to start listening to who we allow into these rooms."
Cassandra's smile became colder. "I usually pay interest, Amelia." and I encourage you to do the same. Those who squander their time on mistrust generally end up being left behind."
Cassandra turned and swept out of the room without saying anything further, leaving Amelia alone in the silent boardroom. She clenched her hands, rage bubbling beneath her calm exterior. It was clear that her mother did not take her concerns seriously, dismissing them as psychosis or, worse, weakness. However, Amelia was aware of what she had seen and experienced. Lily is no longer just a maid, and anything she does becomes gambling, as Amelia is intended to find.
Determined, she crossed the room, her heels clicking against the glossy floor as she approached Lily, who was busy gathering empty espresso cups from the boardroom desk. "Lily," she said calmly, "am I able to speak with you for a moment?"
Lily appeared up, her expression enigmatic, but her eyes gleamed with something almost like mischief. "Of course, leave Winters out," she replied, her tone respectful, but pointed nonetheless.
Amelia guided her to a hidden nook of the room, away from prying eyes and listening ears. She took a long breath and chose her words carefully. "I've observed you around quite a bit lately. "You appear to be very concerned about my family's affairs."
Lily curled her lips into a tiny smile. "I'm merely doing my job; disregard Winters. Serving where I am needed."
"But, you're usually right where I am," Amelia replied, her voice tinged with mistrust. "i can't assist however wonder why that is."
Lily's stare remained fixed, with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I think it's just a twist of fate," she muttered, her voice sympathetic and tinged with a stubborn sense of self. "Or possibly..." I'm truly interested in learning from those that lead."
Amelia experienced a flash of illness, balanced by something deeper—worry. This was not the shy, dutiful maid she had grown up with. There was a sharpness about Lily now, as if she knew more than she said.
"Nicely," Amelia said, her voice hardening. "I'd advise you to remember your region." This circle of relatives does not tolerate people who overstep their bounds."
Lily's eyes glittered, and her smile widened slightly. "Have no worry, Miss Winters. I know exactly where I stand."
With that, she grew up and walked away, leaving Amelia standing there, her heart thumping against her ears. She realized it wasn't her creativity—Lily had become something more than just that. If her mother refuses to see it, she may need to parent it on her own.
Over the next few days, Amelia became more aware of Lily's presence, watching how she glided softly around the corridors, performing in the most unexpected places, her eyes ever-watchful, like a shadow Amelia couldn't shake off. She seemed to be evaluating her every move and calculating something, but what exactly?
When her curiosity and unease got the best of her, Amelia decided to take matters into her own hands. Late one night, after the rest of the family had gone to bed, she slipped out of her chamber and made her way down the dimly lighted hall toward the servants' quarters. She knew it was perilous, but she needed to know what Lily had turned into hiding.
The short hallway fell silent, and she or he moved gingerly, her footsteps muted against the thick carpet. She halted at Lily's door, listening for movement. Listening to nothing, she grabbed for the handle and carefully pushed the door open, the small groan echoing through the silence.
Inside, the room became minimalist and neat, with only the bare necessities—a mattress, a tiny cloth cabinet, and a table with a few scattered papers. Amelia stepped inside, her gaze drawn to the papers, which appeared to be covered in frantic, scribbled notes. She leaned closer, her heart beating as she read the words.
To her amazement, she noticed her own name repeated in information about her schedule, meetings, and even personal discussions she had with Nathaniel. Her breath caught as she grasped the extent of Lily's surveillance—this was not a casual statement. Lily was tracking her every move.
"What are you doing?"
The voice in the back of her head caused her coronary heart to pound in her throat. She swung around to see Lily standing at the doorway, her face unreadable, her eyes black and unyielding.
Amelia's heart raced, but she lifted her chin, forced herself to meet Lily's stare. "I might want to ask you the same thing. Could you please explain why you are keeping notes on me?
Lily's smile became bloodless, and her gaze remained steadfast. "permit's just say… i really like to be organized."
"For what?" Amelia demanded, her voice shaking with rage and concern.
Lily took a step forward, her eyes shining with a dangerous confidence that Amelia had never witnessed before. "For the day when things alternate," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're now not the simplest one with plans, Amelia."
A shudder went down Amelia's spine. She wanted to demand more, to force Lily to reveal the truth, but something in the lady's gaze stopped her, a warning that frosted over the words on her lips.
Without saying anything further, Lily took a step back, her smile broadening as she looked Amelia up and down as if assessing her. "Goodnight, pass over Winters," she muttered mockingly, before turning and disappearing down the hallway.
Amelia stood alone in the silent room, her pulse hammering as the weight of Lily's words dawned on her. This was no ordinary maid, and whatever game she was playing, it was a good place to start. She realized in that instant that her life was about to change—and that Lily might be more dangerous than she had ever thought.
As she left the room, her mind was racing,
She couldn't get the noti
on that Lily's words had been more than just a chance; they had been a promise.