Chapter 41

Clover followed closely behind Evelyn as they walked up the stairs.

When they came to a stop, Clover stood on tiptoes and looked past the woman in front. A ray of light fell onto her cheeks like a comforting touch to her intimidated soul as Evelyn pushed open the ceiling.

That was the exit and also the entrance to the hidden basement of the mansion.

Poking her head out, Evelyn scanned the room, sweeping her glance across the piles of documents, the switched-on laptop, and the watercolor paintings adorning the marble wall. No one was in sight. She crawled out and reached back into the darkness for Clover's hand.

"Careful," Evelyn said.

Clover joined her soon after. She darted her widened eyes around and paused at the hanging grandfather clock with the pendulum swaying at the bottom. The ticks were louder than usual; she couldn't help but be distracted.

As her curious mind processed the surroundings like a buffering stream, Evelyn abruptly tore the maroon curtain, sending it cascading