16 Chapter 16 – The Master’s Invitation
16 Chapter 16 – The Master’s Invitation
Caleb’s expression hardened. “Still can’t take no for an answer, can you? I made myself perfectly clear at graduation.”
His eyes flashed dangerously. “I was charitable dating you for four years. A mistake I deeply regret.”
I ignored her, my concern focused on Mrs. Sterling. I took a step toward the gate, but one of the guards blocked my path.
The butler, Harrison, remained impassive. “No mistake, Mr. Caleb. The master has specifically asked for Miss Dubois to be brought to the drawing room immediately.”
I stepped inside, taking in the elegant furnishings–antique sofas in rich burgundy velvet, a marble fireplace, and floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking manicured gardens.
I nodded, understanding the protocol. “Could you at least tell someone inside that her medication was due hours ago? She mentioned it during our cab ride.”
I straightened my shoulders. “Hello, Caleb.”
Fiona’s face flushed with anger. “This is absurd! She was trying to trespass!”
“Unlike you,” I couldn’t help but reply.
“What happened?” he demanded, carefully taking Mrs. Sterling from my arms.
“Miss Dubois?” he called out, his voice formal and polite.
We all turned to see Old Mrs. Sterling sitting upright in a wheelchair, her face pale but her eyes
alert with anger. Arthur Sterling stood behind her chair, his expression
unreadable.
“She’s been claiming to be married,” Fiona interjected, her voice dripping with false concern. “To your uncle, actually.”
“Heart attack, I think. Her medication bottle is empty,” I explained quickly.
The memory stung, but I kept my face neutral. “I’m not here for you, Caleb. I was helping Mrs. Sterling get home.”
12:57
1/6
16 Chapter 16 The Master’s Invitation.
41
“Darling, there you are!” Caleb Sterling called out, his voice carrying easily across the courtyard.
I took a deep breath, preparing to leave, when a distinguished older man in a butler’s uniform appeared at the gate.
“The doctor is with her now,” he replied, his tone softening slightly. “Her condition appears to be stable.”
He kissed her cheek before his gaze drifted past her–and locked on me. The smile vanished from his face.
“This isn’t over, Elara! I’ll speak to Uncle Arthur about this immediately!”
Without another word, Arthur cradled his grandmother against his chest and strode through the gates. I stood frozen, uncertain what to do next. The guards stepped aside, their earlier hesitation replaced with deference in Arthur’s presence.
Genevieve piped up from behind me. “She’s been telling everyone she’s Mrs. Sterling. Even brought in this poor confused old woman to help her charade.”
“Actually, yes,” I replied.
“How is Mrs. Sterling?” I asked Harrison as we approached the massive front doors.
Caleb’s face darkened with fury. “What?”
Relief washed over me. “Thank goodness.”
“I never said—”
“And I want her gone now,” Caleb ordered.
We entered through towering double doors into a soaring entrance hall with marble floors and a crystal chandelier that must have cost more than everything I owned combined. Priceless art adorned the walls, and a grand staircase swept upward from the center of the hall.
“It’s not like that,” I insisted.
“The master has requested your presence inside.”
Caleb’s face contorted with rage. “You haven’t changed a bit, have you? Still the same manipulative schemer. Listen carefully, Elara–Arthur Sterling would never look twice
12:57
2/6
16 Chapter 16 – The Master’s Invitation
at someone like you. He has standards.”
“Is that why you’re here?” he cut me off, stepping dangerously close. “Are you stalking my uncle now? Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
Before I could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps drew our attention. A tall man with sandy blond hair and a sharp–featured face strode toward us, his expression lighting up when he spotted Fiona.
“Elara?” Shock and something darker flashed in his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
Fiona’s demeanor shifted instantly as she turned toward him with a dazzling smile. “Caleb! I was just about to come find you.”
“I wasn’t aware charity work included trying to get me into your bed shot back before I could stop myself..
The guards exchanged uncomfortable glances but nodded.
every weekend,” I
He laughed, the sound hollow and cruel. “Right. And I suppose you just happened to run into Arthur Sterling’s grandmother by chance?”
“And what’s that?” a stern voice asked from the doorway.
Fiona gasped dramatically. “How dare you speak to my fiancé that way!”
“Please,” Fiona scoffed, tossing her perfectly styled hair. “You’ve known her for what–a day? Don’t pretend you care about anything except getting your claws into the Sterling fortune.”
I turned to face her. “I’m not playing anything. I genuinely care about that woman.”
The guard nodded curtly and spoke into his device.
Fiona stepped closer, her designer perfume suffocating in its intensity. “What I think is that you’re pathetically transparent. First, you claim to be married to Arthur Sterling, and now you’re cozying up to his grandmother? It’s sad, really.”
In seconds, they disappeared inside the massive house, leaving me stranded at the gates with Fiona and Geneviève. The air felt suddenly heavy with tension.
“Then who exactly is this husband of yours?” Genevieve demanded.
I watched helplessly as Arthur Sterling’s face transformed from icy control to naked
12:57
3/6
16 Chapter 16–The Master’s Invitation
fear. He rushed forward, his expensive shoes crunching on the gravel as he reached for his grandmother.
“I’m sorry, miss. Without clearance, I can’t let you enter.”
Before I could sit down, I heard the doors open behind me. I turned, expecting Arthur Sterling, but found Fiona and Genevieve instead, both looking furious.
Harrison led me through several corridors, each more opulent than the last, until we reached a set of mahogany doors.
Caleb stared at the butler in disbelief. “What? Harrison, there must be some mistake.”
“I asked you a question,” Mrs. Sterling continued, her voice gaining strength. “Who are you calling a ‘nasty creature“?”
“I’ve never claimed to be married to anyone,” I said evenly. “That was your assumption.”
Genevieve circled me like a predator. “Always landing on your feet, aren’t you? Like a nasty little creature.”
Caleb’s face reddened with anger or embarrassment–I couldn’t tell which. “You’re trespassing on Sterling property. Guards! This woman is not welcome here. Ever. Make sure her face is memorized and she’s never allowed past these gates again.”
“Enjoying yourself, Elara?” Fiona hissed. “Don’t get comfortable. You won’t be staying long.”
“The master will join you shortly,” he said, opening the doors to reveal a spacious drawing room.
I looked up, surprised. “Yes?”
“You’ll leave when Arthur Sterling realizes what you really are,” Genevieve spat.
I clenched my jaw, refusing to be baited. “Think what you want.”
The guard stepped aside, allowing me to pass. As I walked through the gates, I could feel Fiona and Genevieve’s burning stares on my back. Caleb’s voice rose behind me.
I followed Harrison up a winding stone path toward the mansion, my heart racing with each step. The Sterling estate was even more impressive up close–perfectly manicured grounds with rare flowering plants, ancient oak trees, and what appeared
12:57
4/6
12:57
16 Chapter 16 – The Master’s Invitation
to be a maze of hedges in the distance.
“Call Dr. Morris,” Arthur barked over his shoulder. “Tell him it’s urgent.”
“I’m only here because Mrs. Sterling was ill,” I replied calmly. “I’ll leave as soon as I know she’s alright.”
“Save it,” he snapped. “I get it. I rejected you, so now you’re desperately trying to worm your way into the family through another angle. It’s pathetic.”
I bit back a retort. There was no point arguing with him–he’d already decided his version of reality.
“Well,” Fiona broke the silence with a smirk. “Looks like your little plan failed.”
“She tried to force her way in,” Fiona said quickly, clutching his arm. “Can you believe
her nerve?”
Harrison didn’t flinch. “I’m simply following orders, Miss Dubois. If you have concerns, you may take them up with Mr. Sterling directly.” He turned to me and gestured toward the gate. “Please, follow me.”
Genevieve’s voice sliced through the air. “Always playing the concerned angel, aren’t
you?”
Comment 0
O
Leave the first comment for this chapter.
图
Send Gift
5/0
