Chapter 1: The Emerald That Should Not Exist

The bedroom glowed in warm golden light, the kind that made everything look flawless, almost unreal. Crystal reflections shimmered across the mirrored vanity, multiplying the same polished scene from every angle.

Except for the maid.

She stood near the edge of the bed in her neat black-and-white uniform, hands folded, eyes lowered, practiced in the quiet art of becoming invisible.

Madeline Ashford sat before the mirror, fastening her pearl earrings with slow precision. Her gaze was sharp, controlled, every detail of her reflection held to an unyielding standard.

Then she saw it.

A flicker of green. Small. Sharp. Impossible to ignore.

“What is that?”

Her chair scraped harshly across the floor. Before the maid could react, Madeline crossed the room, gripped her shoulder, and pulled the necklace into the light. The chain tightened against the maid’s throat. She flinched. Madeline did not… Continue Reading ⬇️