Chapter 7 - THE GALA OF SHADOWS
(Word count: ~1,520 words)
Friday evening brought a dazzling transformation to Raven Hill.
The vast stone mansion was illuminated by thousands of warm golden lights. High-society guests in tailored tuxedos and glittering evening gowns poured through the grand iron gates, their laughter and champagne glasses clinking beneath crystal chandeliers in the main ballroom.
Upstairs in the quiet sanctuary of the East Wing, Sadie dressed Evelyn in a gorgeous, navy-blue silk dress that had belonged to her before her illness. She brushed the old woman’s silver hair until it shone like spun silk, placing a delicate pearl necklace around her neck.
Evelyn looked radiant, her eyes sharp, alert, and full of life.
“You look beautiful, Mrs. Cain,” Sadie signed with a warm, genuine smile.
Evelyn reached out, taking Sadie’s hands into hers. Tonight, my child. Tonight we honor Julian.
At 11:15 PM, the loud music from the ballroom echoed faintly through the floorboards.
Sadie checked her watch. It was almost time.
Leaving Evelyn comfortably seated in her armchair near the bay window, Sadie slipped out of the bedroom, keeping to the dark, secondary service corridors used by the domestic staff.
Using the stolen security schedule, she made her way to Ronan’s private West Wing study.
The heavy oak doors were unlocked—just as June had arranged earlier using her master key.
Sadie pressed herself flat inside a dark recessed alcove across the hall, holding her phone ready to record.
Two minutes later, a figure wrapped in a dark velvet cloak slipped down the hallway.
It was June Callaway.
June checked both directions nervously, then slid into Ronan’s study, leaving the door cracked open by two inches.
Sadie crept silently up to the door, peeking through the narrow gap.
Inside, June was kneeling in front of Ronan’s heavy wall safe behind the mahogany bookshelf. She entered a secret six-digit combination, pulled the heavy steel door open, and reached inside, pulling out the original paper deeds to the Ashport Commercial Docks—a multi-million-dollar property portfolio.
Suddenly, a quiet footstep sounded behind Sadie.
Sadie turned her head sharply, but before she could react, a broad, leather-gloved hand clamped violently over her mouth, while a heavy arm wrapped around her waist, dragging her backward into a dark side room!
Sadie fought fiercely, driving her elbow hard into her attacker’s ribs and stamping her heel down on his boot.
“Quiet, damn it!” a harsh, familiar voice grunted in her ear.
The grip loosened slightly, and Sadie spun around, her fists raised in a defensive combat stance.
Standing in the dim light of the side room was Vance Mercer—the private investigator she had hired days ago.
“Vance!” Sadie gasped, holding her chest. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Saving your skin,” Vance whispered, wiping sweat from his forehead. “I’ve been monitoring Victor Sterling’s radio comms. Sterling didn't just hire June to steal the dock deeds tonight. He brought three armed mercenaries onto the estate grounds. They’re planning to stage a fire in the East Wing to create chaos while they carry the stolen files out!”
Sadie’s blood ran completely ice cold.
May you like
“The East Wing?” Sadie choked out, her eyes wide with sheer terror. “Evelyn is alone in her room!”
Without waiting another second, ignoring the danger, ignoring the gala, and ignoring Vance’s warnings, Sadie burst out of the side room and sprinted at top speed toward the East Wing!
